Bedding for a horse that eats shavings

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I.M.N.

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My horse eats shavings, not just nibbles the odd flake but chows down big mouthfuls of the stuff. He's out all day and gets ad lib hay when he's in so its not because he has nothing else to eat. So I need a bedding he either definitely won't eat or one where it won't matter even if he does eat it, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
 
What about the course/big flakes like Bedmax? Does he eat those? If straw isn't an option, then I'd go for something like Easibed or one of the other hemp/flax products . . . Hippofan perhaps? Failing that, can you just lightly mist the top of the bed with something noxious tasting to make it unpalatable?

P
 
My new one eats bedding and ive got her on Bliss ( chopped rape straw ) tried her on the normal untreated on and she ate that, tried her on the eucalyptus one and she ate that too so tried her on the citronella one and shes not touched it. They are all the same price at £7 a bale and I only take her wet out once a week and stick a new bale in. She has a big bed and big banks and is stabled at night.
 
Thanks for the replies, I'm not a fan of Bedmax and the way he eats normal shavings I don't think size of flake would stop him. Is hemp/flax safe for them to eat? I'm worried about the chance of impaction.

I suspect something treated to make it unpalatable is the way to go. I'll have a look into Bliss.
 
My horse loves eating wood chips - you are the first other person I have come across whose horse does the same. He doesn't eat straw but I am too allergic so I use megasorb with a sprinkle of straw to keep him clean - I am on rubber matting.
 
mandyroberts said:
My horse loves eating wood chips - you are the first other person I have come across whose horse does the same. He doesn't eat straw but I am too allergic so I use megasorb with a sprinkle of straw to keep him clean - I am on rubber matting.
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It's a nightmare isn't it! I've been looking into the various types of pellets does anyone have any info on the different types, how did you chose which one to go with?
 
One of mine has been known to eat paper bedding - and one pony cub camp with my daughter he decided to munch on a hemp based bedding. He doesn't eat shavings - but you never know, he may well have by the time I go up to feed! You could try the woodchip pellets that need to be soaked. Yes they swell - but the idea is to soak them before you bed down not to make the bed up without soaking. (Might dampening be a better word? The bed is not wet when laid.) The resultant bed is powdery and soft. Or if you have a supplier locally peat?
 
It could be a mineral or trace element deficiency/anaemia/hookworm issue? Pica is a term used for unusual eating habits.

Do dogs have access to the land your horse grazes on? What is the yard worming/grazing routine?

I'd maybe have a chat with your Vet about this. It's not normal and there will be an underlying reason for it that should be identified for the long-term health of your horse.

Best of luck. :)
 
I.M.N. said:
My horse eats shavings, not just nibbles the odd flake but chows down big mouthfuls of the stuff. He's out all day and gets ad lib hay when he's in so its not because he has nothing else to eat. So I need a bedding he either definitely won't eat or one where it won't matter even if he does eat it, any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
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What about paper bedding, its quite cheap, warm in winter, soft to lie down in, does rot down.
 
Sorry for not keeping up with all the replies. Firstly thank you all for your replies, I've decided to go with a straw and elephant grass mix of pellets that you add water too as I mentioned trying this to my mum (who keeps her horse at my yard) and turns out she was wanting to try this for hers anyway. It's meant to be fairly unpalatable but my thinking is at least if he eats it it's only straw as opposed to wood.

That's an interesting thought Illusion100, he's out at grass all day, in at night with ad-lib hay, feed wise he gets balancer, hifi molasses free, high fiber nuts and purabeet, supplement wise he gets brewers yeast, linseed and clivers as well as having a Himalayan rock salt in his stable. He was wormed the other day, he doesn't seem off in anyway. He only came over from Holland 8 weeks ago and before that he was running with a herd before coming in and getting stabled 24/7 for a couple of weeks whilst waiting to be sold, so I suspect it may be a habit he picked up then either through boredom or lack of food as he was a little poor when I first got him.

I'll keep an eye on him and mention it to my vet when he comes out to jab him in a couple of weeks.
 
Defo try bliss, we used to used them at college and you can even taste them when putting a new bag in, they're foul smelling and tasting but doubt he'd eat it!!
 
xgemmax said:
Defo try bliss, we used to used them at college and you can even taste them when putting a new bag in, they're foul smelling and tasting but doubt he'd eat it!!
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I did want to try Bliss but we don't have a local stockist unfortunately and the delivery charge of the nearest was taking the p a bit.
 
Hopefully your choice will work, but if not I found cardboard and Megasorb both worked for my straw/ shavings/ hemp/ paper eating mare. Good luck!
 
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