Bedding types

RubysGold

RubysGold

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I have been using straw but my horse has a dust allergy so I need to look for an alternative.
I have been looking at shavings but they seem expensive.
What other bedding can I use?
I want something that will work out fairly cheap, with not much dust, I also don't want something I have to add water to as there is no hose at the yard (unless you can use a bucket of water)
Please tell me about other types of bedding that would suit me.
I have rubber matting, but I'm not bothered about mucking out time etc, full bed, deep litter, I'm not fussed, just would like to save money but use dust extracted bedding.
Also, am I wrong in thinking those pellet things would be uncomfortable, not very nice for a horse to lie on?
Thanks
Nickie
 
Hello

Have you ever tried paper bedding before? I used to look after a couple of racehorses who were bedded down on it. The bales look smaller but when they come out the bag they really fluff up! They are pretty much totally dust free and very absorbent! Also in my local tack shop the paper bales are about £1.50 cheaper than the cheapest bale of shavings. I find them easier than shavings to muck out with. I would like to put my lot on paper beds as I also have rubber matting down and my 2 mares like to wee wee for England! It is also very soft to walk on so thought it would be ideal for my little mare who is on box rest due to Lami .But I have just moved yard and I'm only allowed shavings : ( Hope I've managed to help.

Flash
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I use 5star bedding and have found that really great easy to muck out not dusty and quite cheap. You can have a trial done where you buy 12 bags at a special price you have 8 to start off the stable and then you have the four to add they suggest one a week but that depends on how mucky your horse is.
The good thing is if you book the trial the rep delivers the bedding and also puts it down for you
 
Yes I agree nedz pro is great and also their pelleted one the advance is good, my friend uses it and after a few days when the pellets have broken down it makes a lovely soft dust free bed,super absorbent aswell!
 
I used paper bedding on my last horse and used it in racing and love it! Its dust free, doesn't end up smelly, is a warm bed and soft to snuggle into for them. Quick to muck out too! My last horse had been tied back so dust was a major issue, as he was more susceptible to infection. This was the only bedding i could use safely and he never coughed or got an infection or had a snotty nose.
The best thing too is its cheap and it rots down really quickly, so farmers etc usually don't mind collecting it as is rots quicker than pretty much every other bedding, so they can spread it on fields quicker.
I spoke to vets at the time and straw is one of the worst to use as its dusty and has spores. If your horse is stabled next to other horses on straw/shavings etc and they aren't solid walls between each stable you may need to look at moving to a stable on the end - or if in a barn nearest to the door. you'll want the best airflow with the least dust around. Sorry to prattle on, i got to know all the tricks with this sort of thing with my last nag. Another thing is to feed hay on the floor so that they have their head down as much as possible so any muck can flow down and out, otherwise it sits down in the lungs, plus wetting/soaking hay to reduce dust being inhaled would be good.
Right i'll shut up now...
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yes conventional straw is dusty but nedz is dust extracted and treated and me and my friend have always found it to be clean and dust free and we use it for our competion horses. I know its a minefield out there with various beddings!!
 
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