Rubber mats & shavings

[Twelve47]

ive used rubber mats and shaving for the last 10 years, gradually building the beds into deep litters of about 2ft deep. Its an ideal bedding situation until the end of the winter when it all has to come out!! With beds this deep there is no point in the mats. I've started using just a bale of shavings sprinkled over the mats now but the smell first thing in the morning is terrible. What depth of a shavings bed do other people use with matting and what do you use to combat the odour? thanks in advance

 

[Doesdressage1]

I use a bale of shavings a week which gives me a 1ft banks and 1/2 of floor depth covering 3/4 of my stable. I think it took about 4-5 bales to start it off. I pick droppings out with a glove and bucket to minimise waste and then take any wee that has surfaced out and cover it over. Then once a week I lift the whole bed and take out all the wet before re laying and adding a fresh bale. I know a lot of people that use the same method and it works very well for us

 

[putasocinit]

I use a bale a week and it is slowly becoming a nice depth of a bed, but i muck out properly everyday because of the smell of amonia.

 

[mightymammoth]

have you thought of trying wood pellets, I use them with rubber mats. Much better than shavings I find

 

[hayley.t]

I have a pony who is the messiest I have ever known, he has good quality rubber matting and only gets enough shavings to soak up the wee which I then remove everyday. It does mean that his rugs get a bit smelly but they do whatever I do and this is what works best for us. When I was on a yard the livery next door (a good friend) thought I was a bit mean until I went on holiday and she looked after him for a week, she then said that she would give him less bed!!

 

[Twelve47]

thanks guys for the advice. I think i'll try another bale but keep on top of it this year