Price of Bedding...

[Spit That Out]

Cor Blimey...I know i might have been out of the loop for the last few months regards to bedding as I've been on straw over the summer but have bedding companies just whacked a couple of quid on to a bag of bedding over the summer for a giggle?

Sometimes feels like they have us over a barrel...

I got quotes on bedding in March this year as my bedding (Easibed) was running low, however i went on to straw as the Yard Owner was selling it at reduced price as he was over stocked. However i don't like straw so now the horse is in at nights i wanted to go back on to one of the below. So phoned around today and was quoted...


Autumn 2010
Cheapest. Expensive. Spring 2010 £. Min Diff. Max Diff.
Nedz Original. £6.25 £7.50 £5.00 £1.25 £2.00
Cheapest. Expensive. Spring 2010 £. Min Diff. Max Diff.
Nedz Pro. £6.75 £7.75 £5.75 £1.00 £2.00
Cheapest. Expensive. Spring 2010 £. Min Diff. Max Diff.
Easibed. £7.75 £8.30 £6.25 £1.50 £2.05
Cheapest. Expensive. Spring 2010 £. Min Diff. Max Diff.
Shavings. £6.35 £6.50 £5.00 £1.35 £1.50
Cheapest. Expensive. Spring 2010 £. Min Diff. Max Diff.
Bedmax. £6.25 £7.00 £5.75 £0.50 £1.25

These are based on prices from 3 bedding merchants in my area (South Cheshire) not buying pallet loads (price per bag) and doesn't include delivery but does include VAT which is going up in Jan next year so these prices will go up as well...

Most of these bedding companies recommend to lay a new bed on a 12x12 stable between 6 to 8 bags (depending on the bedding) and then a bag a week. If that was the case and used the cheapest bedding from above then it would cost me £50 to set up a stable and then a min of £25 a month to maintain....assuming that my horse was clean and only needed 1 bag a week. Plus (min £10) delivery!!

Looks like I'll be sticking to straw. I pay £20 for a large (Heston) bale (increased since spring price!!) and it lasts me a month. As it's on site i don't have to pay delivery or VAT...I still hate it though and would love to go back on to one of the above!!!

 

[abina]

yep - they have us over a barrel ! Being able to buy by the pallet does make a difference in these prices - just the question of are you able to store then and can you afford to shell out in one go ? I buy my bedding in 10 pallets loads at a time and the cost reduction is well worth it - Can you not club together with other owners and all get a bit of discount?

 

[Spit That Out]

There are over 80 horses on the yard we are on however nearly everyone is on something different.
Straw is the cheapest but i hate it.
There is a shavings delivery once a month, he's £6.35 and thats if he has orders over 50 bales.
There is a bedding merchant and a few people use him so it splits the cost of delivery £10 but he doesn't offer discount no matter how many bales you buy off him and then there is the local saddlery that only holds limited stock and you have to either stuff it in your car or order it in and collect with a lorry or trailer which obviously adds to the cost to take in to account the fuel.
Maybe I'm in a bad location for bedding...although i don't seem to be paying as much for straw as some of you guys?!!?

 

[Maesfen]

Have you looked at Sundown Yellow, that seems to be cheaper than shavings and it makes a nice bed? I'll find out what my local man charges tomorrow and let you know.

 

[samzy_82]

I use wood pellets, you lay them down then use a watering can to wet them. They then burst and go to sawdust, it's great stuff. I pay £2.25 per bag. 12 bags do a good bed then i ue 2 per week after that.

I have found another way of 'bursting' the pellets though... i put 2 bags in a wheelbarro and then add 1/2 bucket of water, leave it for 20 mins or overnight then it's god to put straight in the bed

 

[Spit That Out]

I've never tried wood pellets...Might see if there is anyone on the yard using them and have a sneaky peaky at their bed?!!?

 

[mystiandsunny]

It can be worth looking round for local sawmills/furniture manufacturers. Many of these give shavings away for free/v low price, and although some can be dusty, it really depends on the place. There are at least three round us - one v dusty (free), one dustyish but ok with my asthma so not too bad (free) and one that's as clean as the horse stuff yet only about £1.40 for the equivalent of a bale.

 

[lannerch]

I have wood pellets from http://www.equineservices.eu/equine-bedding-shavings-pellets.php
not sure if the price will be the same to you however you are fairly local to them so it may well be. wood pellets 15kg bags £4.50 delivered no minimum order, shavings I think were £6.50 they also do paper.

Just had pellets delivered took 7 bags for a thick bed in the standard size stable, yet to properly tested but so far bed does not move when trodden in and is very easy to muck out.

 

[nokia]

hello pleasw can u tell me whee you get your wood pelets from as that is so cheep

 

[amandaco2]

i use easibed. 1 to 2 x 25kg sacks per week per horse (3)
the bales are £7.49 delivered.
was on shavings but the easibed is so much quicker to muck out and works out cheaper!

 

[bensonthewonderhorse]

I have had to stick to straw too as my boy uses two bales of bedmax per week so your looking at £60 a month just for bedding! I don't mind the straw but he does eat some of it especially when in for longer! Lives out most of the summer though so atleast he isn't eating straw all year round!

 

[alex2]

Corley Biowood for wood pellets, they deliver promptly and even though the price is a little higher than Liverpool wood pellets, their pellet fluffs up more. You do have to buy a pallet at a time but well worth it.