people that use woodchip bedding...

[nat_1]

Im changing from straw to woodchip after xmas.
Is it comfy enough?
Im going to put down 4 bales to start.
Im hoping to dig out the wet (usually in same corner) once a week,would i get away with adding half a bale a week or would i need to add a whole bale each week?

Reasons for changing is she is eating it,stiring it up,proned to thrush,straw price just gone up and it will be quicker to muck out each morning.

 

[splashgirl45]

i assume you mean woodshavings... if so i much prefer them to straw asthey are less likely to create a bald area when moving around . i keep mine quite thick so would prob put 6 bales in to start as i have banks as well, i completely muck out each day and find it quite easy....

 

[nat_1]

Its the countrywide value wood chip,i have banks too.ill start with more then if it needs it.

 

[splashgirl45]

you may have to experiment a bit to find out how much works for your horse, i use hunter woodshavings and my mare is very clean but i still use a bale each week. good luck

 

[Rosehip]

Im assuming you mean these? - http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=3983
If so, I would say you would be better (price wise) to spend an extra 50p (ish) and get branded shavings like Hunter or Snowflake as both these are much more compressed, and absorbant. You will also find that for the average 12x12 stable, starting from scratch you will need between 6 and 8 bales to start off depending on how thick you want the bed and if you want banks etc. Again, the 'branded' shavings will save you on how much you put in each week too.
When I used economy shavings I used a full bag a week, using snowflake I only used half a bag.
Hope that helps x

 

[nat_1]

Thanks for that all much appreciated.
My one local tack shop does a beddind which is a mixture of shavings and woodchip @ £6.99 a bale,so im considering that.

 

[Ali27]

I use a mixture of shavings (£7.20) and cushion bed wood chip(£4.50) and it is working well for our mucky mare!

 

[nat_1]

Ive just googled hunter shavings and my nearest stockist is 97 miles away so thats that then lol!

 

[Rosehip]

Crikey! Thats prob the outlet though isnt it? Have a look at your local tack shop/feed merchants and see what they sell, what they recommend and what the prices are like.

As a poster above, I like the Cushionbed wood chips, they give a lovely dense bed, and it is really comfy for the horse (having slept with a poorly one, I can say it was an ok night - bum not too num!) and also great value if you treat it right. I used to alternate with shavings and cushion bed as I like the look of a white fluffy bed, but you dont have to! x

 

[miller]

We've used woodchip for a week on mats to save 50p a bale compared to shavings - buying shavings this week - completely unabsorbent for anything more than the driest of the 4

 

[martlin]

I use deep littered wood chip for my whole yard, Laysoft to be more precise. I like it a lot, it doesn't move much, is fairly absorbent and ever so easy to muck out. I have to top up with 2 bags per horse per week though, so it doesn't work out that cheap at all, but saves on labour and time is money The trick is to start the bed with plenty, I normally set a bed up (3/4 of 12 ft stable) with 8 bags.