Bedding in your trailer/box or not?

[WelshRareBit]

Do you put bedding down or not? I sometimes see people with a thin layer or straw/shavings, and other times without.

Is there any pros/cons for either? I have my first journey on Sun and was wondering which would be best..!

 

[Thistle]

I use Aquamax or Woody Pet pelletted sawdust.

Bedding absorbs the wet and prevents the rubber mats from being slippy

 

[hussar]

I always put a layer of Bedmax (wood shavings) down as otherwise my gelding won't pee! I stopped using straw after a friend's experience of her horse being very restless travelling and wrapping the straw round its legs, making it even more restless ...

 

[jesterfaerie]

Whenever I travel I put a small layer of shavings down, I felt it provided a bit more grip than just bare matting especially if it became wet.

 

[elsielouise]

I don't use anything but then my mare is a v quiet traveller and rarely makes the box wet at all.

 

[WelshRareBit]

Makes sense to stop the floor from getting slippy, thanks guys.

 

[ecrozier]

I don't, as my gelding never wees in the lorry whether there is bedding or not, and on the rare occasion another horse does I disinfect the floor, but we have non-slip liquid matting that is water-tight and a drainage hole in the corner....bear in mind I've only had to do this twice and lorry 9 months now! Dis use shavings but they just went everywhere!

 

[mollymurphy]

We've always used straw - quite a thick layer, but my sister said they didnt need it and we shouldnt use it. So to settle the argument we asked an Ifor Williams rep at the Cheshire Show - she said that it's LAW to provide bedding for animals in transit, even if they already have rubber matting. I havent checked, but i cant see why she'd lie.

 

[conniegirl]

ahh but rubber matting can constitute as bedding.

 

[mollymurphy]

Thats what i thought, but not according to this woman. All of the Ifors have rubber matting, but she said they still need shavings or straw. I'm gonna go and root through the laws!!

 

[flyingfeet]

I never use anything - granted it's not great when the boys have a wee; but you just hose it down and wash their boots.

I cannot see how a layer of shavings are less slippery than a good rubber mat.

 

[miller]

Have never used anything since seeing a horse slide over in a lorry and get stuck on shavings at the vets I used to work at - vet then advised customer to use nothing on granulistic rubber - my lad only wee's in the box so no problem there.

 

[not_with_it]

I put a thin layer of shavings in the back corner. It just absorbs some of the moisture. I dont put it all over as I dont see the need.

 

[Blizzard]

Never use anything.

 

[slivertonics]

i never use anything just rubber mat

 

[Solstar]

i just put a barrow full of straw down

 

[Happy Bird]

According to DEFA, bedding is only to be used by law if you have a foal under 4 months old.

I use a small amount of straw at the back of the lorry to soak up any wee.