Cheapest straw alternative??

[stilltrying]

Hi guys, am looking for advice on bedding please....last winter my horse was fed haylage and on straw = no problems. This winter due to shortage of haylage he is on hay but is now coughing. I tried steaming, which worked for one batch of hay but not the latest batch. I am now soaking it but he was still coughing this morning.

Our straw isn't the best and he eats it, so am thinking I might need to change bedding. The only issue is he is very messy (he is big and stomps it around) so I need something that will be cost effective. Unfortunately YO cannot supply haylage.

Any reduced dust cheap alternatives or am I dreaming?!!

 

[Tempi]

rubber matting and a small amount of shavings in one corner.

 

[stilltrying]

Yes I was thinking of matting and a smaller bed as he is so messy, but think shavings at our yard are something like £7 a bale??

There are loads of alternatives advertised, just wondering what the most economical would be.

 

[cbmcts]

Wood Pellets?

 

[scallywags]

Wood pellets, or chopped rape straw, like sundown. its dust extracted, and has a eucalypyus smell
We have horses on both, and there easy to clean with little wasteage