Is it worth putting anything under straw?

[mcjberkshire]

I am switching to straw for the first time this winter after finding shavings too expensive and stressful to track down, especially now that I have 2.

I’ve been offered some wood pellets and shavings from the lady who had my stall previously.

Is it worth putting one of these down under my straw bed?

 

[Surbie]

I'd put pellets under, where the wee spot is. I use miscanthus, which is great, but adding in some pellets has been brilliant to keep the pee in check.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I don’t put anything under, I also only take the wet up weekly but ensure the bed is super thick so no wet comes through and it doesn't smell. Depends how wet your horses are, my mare is quite clean for a mare.

I’d use her pellets if they’re being given to you but in the future, they are quite expensive, it all adds up.

 

[Surbie]

Straw pellets are usually cheaper than wood ones, and work nearly as well.

 

[OlderNotWiser]

I'd put pellets under, where the wee spot is. I use miscanthus, which is great, but adding in some pellets has been brilliant to keep the pee in check.

I use straw and do this. The pellets just stop the wee spreading all across the floor.

 

[MereChristmas]

When F was at home I used wood pellets under miscanthus. It was great. I cleared the wet patch weekly and filled it with dry pellets. No wet rugs after lying down and no smell.
Now F is at full livery he has just straw. I don’t find it as good.

 

[Birker2020]

I am switching to straw for the first time this winter after finding shavings too expensive and stressful to track down, especially now that I have 2.

I’ve been offered some wood pellets and shavings from the lady who had my stall previously.

Is it worth putting one of these down under my straw bed?

Totally

 

[Horseysheepy]

I sprinkle basic woodshavings on the patch they tend to wet on and cover with a good layer if straw. This is on a daily full muckout system and works quite well.

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think it depends how you muck it out.

I semi deep litter now (dig out once a week) so don't bother as the bed is kept super deep so the wet never comes to the top.

I did use wood pellets when I was doing a full muck out every day and found they helped.

 

[Shoei]

I've recently started putting straw pellets under my very wet 2 year old and it makes such a difference with him. My other horse I just remove the wet daily, lift and leave to dry but Ray's so stinky, it works better with a bag under the straw and just remove the droppings daily. I remove the wet once a week

 

[Caol Ila]

I put a thin later of Aubiose under my straw where they wee, and it works great. I have to replace it very 2-3 days but I save so much straw and the stables never reek. A bag of Aubiose lasts 3-4 weeks between two horses.

 

[Julia0803]

Only thing to mention with straw pellets is be careful if you have a greedy one…

Mine thought I was playing very strange games, hiding pony nuts under his bed .

I don’t find straw as absorbent as wood or miscanthus tho.

Having some sort of pellet underneath my bed has made the world of difference. I just lift the poo daily and dig the underneath out every 7/10 days. ‘Dig out day’ is unpleasant however, I no longer stink of urine/wet straw on a daily basis like I did previously.

 

[WBGG]

Definitely worth it! My mare is super wet and I put strawmax pellets under her straw bedding in the wee patch. It's cut my daily muck out time in half. Luckily her poos are tidy!! I just dig out the wet at the weekend and replace the pellets.

 

[holeymoley]

I use a bit of sawdust under straw where they wee. Just soaks up any run off.