How Many Bales of Straw to Start a Bed?

[3Beasties]

As title.

Am switching back to straw in one of my stables. Stable is 12x14 with no rubber matting.

I plan to have a very deep bed with big banks. How many small bales will I need?

(I can only store a few at a time so need to order enough to start a bed plus a few more to keep it going).

 

[stencilface]

Depending on if you have a bare area at the front for feeding etc, I think about 5-6 bales depending on quality of the straw, some bales are more crumbly and offer less substance than others

 

[Queenbee]

Depending on if you have a bare area at the front for feeding etc, I think about 5-6 bales depending on quality of the straw, some bales are more crumbly and offer less substance than others

:0. I'd be going with three that give you a big bed, area left as plain concrete and big banks. It will still be big but you won't need a stepladder.

 

[Janah]

I would start with 5.

 

[PingPongPony]

I recently started a bed with 3 bales. reasonable banks but not huge, bed about 1 foot deep, on top of rubber matting. And that's with leaving half the stable clear at the front, for food, water, hay etc.
So if i were you i'd go with 5 bales to start, because you want big banks and have no rubber matting

 

[Timmys Mum]

I always start with 3 then put half in every day when I muck out until I'm happy with the size, then it's an as and when thing. so maybe 3-4?

 

[Polos Mum]

Wow - I have 13 ft by 13 with rubber matting so I only cover about 1/3 but one is plenty - if I put 5 in I wouldn't be able to get the big horse in!

 

[3Beasties]

I'll probably cover about two thirds of the stable. I've ordered 1 bales so will aim at putting 4 down initially and see how I get on. Thanks all

 

[Ladyinred]

I usually use 4 in a 12 x 12 but see your stable is bigger so would go for 5. I would rather put in too much than risk an injury on a concrete floor.

 

[Mrs B]

I use a combination at the start of each winter season: I buy 2 bales of cheap shavings and make banks around the box, then use 3 to 4 bales of straw (depending on quality) for a main bed.

This way, the banks stay fairly well but give a bit more bulk to a horse kicking against them to get up after a snooze ...

I then use a bale to a bale and a half per week per box.

 

[Ladyinred]

I use a combination at the start of each winter season: I buy 2 bales of cheap shavings and make banks around the box, then use 3 to 4 bales of straw (depending on quality) for a main bed.

This way, the banks stay fairly well but give a bit more bulk to a horse kicking against them to get up after a snooze ...

I then use a bale to a bale and a half per week per box.

Good thinking Mrs B. I used to do that until I acquired a pair of diggers! They seem to believe they will strike gold (or fresh grass) under every bank!