Paper bedding v shavings - opinions please ???

[wonkey_donkey]

I have always used shavings but just ordered a load of paper bedding for my mare to foal down on. I must say there is far less dust with the paper so I'm almost tempted to switch the whole yard onto the paper as both appear to cost the same bag for bag. BUT is paper as economical, absorbant and as easy to muck out as shavings ???

 

[Damnation]

For a really wet horse, I don't think so. I knew someone who had their mare on paper (they got shredded paper free from work) and I mucked her out once.
I hated it as all the wet stuff just stuck to the bottom of the stable and stank! The absorbancy was ok but I definately prefer my shavings bed.

 

[Spyda]

Yes, agree with all of the above but would also add that paper tends to blow around all over the place as well. Could end up with bits of it everywhere unless your muck heap is very well trained and enclosed, and you cover your filled wheelbarrows with an old rug when moving during windy weather. Mind you, I have to do that with whatever bedding I used

 

[HelsB]

I get cardboard shreds, from £3 + VAT (depending on amount)per bale, bales look really small so easy storage but use less than shavings. I only use 1 every 10 days for my boy!!

Google "Finacard", the chap is really helpful and offered me either a couple of bales free to try or a small amount at big load price (ie their cheapest rate)

I LOVE IT! Mucks out easier than shavings with shavings fork, doesn't smell, make a mess on yard or anything, and works out cheaper than shavings & NO DUST!

 

[dozzie]

[ QUOTE ]
For a really wet horse, I don't think so. I knew someone who had their mare on paper (they got shredded paper free from work) and I mucked her out once.
I hated it as all the wet stuff just stuck to the bottom of the stable and stank! The absorbancy was ok but I definately prefer my shavings bed.

[/ QUOTE ]

That is interesting as we did the same this year, using shredded paper from work and it was far more smelly than the newspaper bedding I had used before and I ended up removing the whole bed every few days due to the way it absorbed the water but didnt seem to dry. Maybe it doesnt actually absorb the water in the same way as newspaper, hence the smell.

I have used cardboard recently and the smell is not a problem. I cant see the point in using shavings with mats if you have the mats due to allergy/coughs etc as they are still dusty. Much better to go for cardboard.

I also went for Equimats as they are light and easy to clean, plus they dont smell of rubber.

 

[hellybelly6]

I used shreaded paper from work and mix it with cardboard squares.

I found paper on its own got soggy when wet, think pappier mache.

 

[nemlin]

I used paper shreddings over rubber mats and on its own, paper is a bit of a bummer to muck out-it took just as long as a full straw bed, smelt quite badly and stuck to the mats when wet. However, it was very cost effective (ie free) and the amount I used to take out everyday meant it rarely got dusty.

I am now using shavings only, but plan to go back to using a mix of shavings and paper which I found to be brilliant, with just enough shavings to give some body to the paper and prevent the soggy mess