Chopped straw v straw

[bilboduke]

Anyone use chopped straw? How does it compare to conventional straw? I know it's more expensive but is it easier to muck out? Any good for beds with banks?

 

[whizzer]

I've recently started using chopped straw but I use it as a base with layer of normal straw on top. A local feed merchant sells it at £4.50 a bale. I can hardly believe how absorbent it is! With previous things I've used as a base I've used 2 bales a month to top base up but with this I'm using just one bale a month. I'm so impressed I might not bother with the layer of straw on top next winter.

 

[Holly Hocks]

I use Equinola which is chopped oil seed rape straw - I love it, although I only have one of my horses on it as the other eats it (looked on the website and it states that it includes a bitter tasting herbal mix to prevent them eating it - unfortunately my New Forest hasn't read the website.......). It's easy to muck out, and really absorbent and doesn't stink like normal straw.

 

[micramadam]

Be careful, a lot of horses like this and eat it. My mare was on this and between eating this and not drinking enough, she had a very bad bout of impaction colic which stressed her out causing her ulcers to come back causing yet more colic and another emergency dash to the horspital.

 

[cosmicblue]

I use chopped rape straw which seems a bit less edible. I love it, really absorbent and easy to work with.