My New Stables are up Advise on ......

[Grinch]

Do you think it is a good idea !! My new stables are 12ft by 12ft I was thinking of putting a run of Straw bales across the back to save a little on shavings and for ponies to pick at as an extra and may be comfort when they lay down might lay against it !!!

Am i being stupid

 

[catroo]

why not just bed them on straw rather than shavings?

 

[Grinch]

I have always used Bed-max in past - just think easier to clean out! No really reason

 

[catroo]

In which case I wouldn't bother with the bales, put some straw in a haynet or on the floor if you're worried about fibre intake.

The ponies might climb on them, pull them over, pee/poo on them and generally cause mischief. I could see it being messy and wasteful.

Now a whole wall made up of bales and securely tied in is a different matter as it has great insulation but you wouldn't want them eating it!

 

[khalswitz]

I wouldn't - risk of getting cast surely?

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

You need to think about the twine, what happens when the bales are strewn across the bedding etc.

I would just use shavings, but when mucking out, don't touch the banks as they soon bed down quite solidly.

Or use a softchip type bedding on the banks as this tends to not shift, and depending on which one you go can be far cheaper than bedmax

 

[PaddyMonty]

Not something I would do. My guess is straw bales will last all of an hour before pony has them apart and strewn all over your nice beding.

 

[Grinch]

Thank you .... Dont think i will be doing this now (I love this forum)