Bedding *Issues*

[WishfulThinker]

I was recently told that the yard owner has told everyone at the yard I'm moving back to that they HAVE to deep litter their horses this winter.
Seems this is because they went through too much straw last year - straw is included in the livery price of £100 pm - as some people weren't being very frugal when mucking out and a lot of good straw got thrown out.

Also the YO has Cows, which he wont have this winter, and used to re-use the mucked out bedding for them and then it went for slurry.

The YO cant make someone deep litter can he? I mean what if he just puts in one bale a week (per 8 stables) and once that is gone thats it - could he do that?

I don't want to deep litter my horse as he is feathered and dont want him getting manky legs.

 

[Agent XXX999]

Why dont you come to some sort of arrangement with your YO whereby you get bedding allocated to you - ie 2 bales a week and then thats your lot, and anything else on top of that you have to buy?

 

[WishfulThinker]

I think that is what might have to be done.
I am - along with a few others - considering shavings, but the YO is not keen on shavings as he wont get as much muck for spreading from them.

 

[SSM]

A properly maintained deep litter bed should not make your horses feathers manky - it also offers warmth in the winter, and a great workout for you to muck out in the spring!!!!!

As long as you remove all droppings and any really wet patches daily, make sure it is levelled and straw topped up you should have a good bed.

 

[Forget_Me_Not]

if it isnt stated in ur yard agreement then your wlecome to as much straw and bedding type as you wish. I would say work out an amount of bales between the liveries and YO then get this agreement writen up so no one can change there mind or go back on thier word.

 

[Happytohack]

Before you move back, ask the YO how much straw is included in your £100 pm. Then work out how much straw you will need per week and ask if you can pay for the difference. A properly managed deep litter straw bed is fine, but I don't envy you the task of digging it out after the winter! When I used straw, we added 3 to 4 bales per week and round here they are 80p to £1.00 a bale so even if you had to pay for an extra 3 per week, it shouldn't cost you a fortune.

 

[AmyMay]

We have three straw beds through the winter - and all are deep littered. As long as you look after them properly then you should have no problems at all. A deep litter bed should still be dry and clean.