What Do You Bed On At Yards Were shavings Are Banned?

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Forget_Me_Not

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I went and saw a yard on saturday and really liked it, more then the last two, Park farm in arundel. The only anoying thing was he wouldn't allow shavings because of disposal etc. What do/would you do? Other then straw. I was planing rubber matting and bedmax but now need to rethink while I weigh up the yards.
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I use rubber matting and up till recently was using straw for the banks and a light dusting of shavings for the bed, however I ran out of shavings but still have loads of straw so I am using a light bedding of straw now and that is working perfectly.
 
I would use whatever alternative they have, well actually it would have to be straw or shavings i couldnt have any other bed, thats my preference though, I can only muck them out.
 
You'd be allowed equisorb, aubiose and other hemp core and flax type beddings I guess. There's a chopped straw bedding which I think is a waste of money compared to conventional straw bales as well.

You'll only allowed matter than rots faster for spreading. I know my OH wouldn't like me using shavings. My straw from the horses is mixed with the cows waste as soon rots down.
 
Hemp? A woman next to us has switched to it (under slight pressure from the YO as it breaks down easier) and she claims it's easier than shavings and nicer to work with.
 
Hemcore is good if it managed correctly (Which it isn't at my part livery yard
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It is easy to much out and it doesn't stick to rugs and tails like shavings :grin
 
I have a self-imposed shavings ban on my own yard, as the stuff takes so long to rot. Have used Aubiouse or Equisorb - both make nice beds and rot down quickly on the muck heap.
 
I guess we are lucky with the yard we use being private, but the owner is actually pleased ours are on shavings. He has to empty the muck trailer loads less, ie once every 3 weeks instead of every week, and the muck heap is loads smaller!

We have 2 muck heaps, he switched every winter, so we have a new one now, and last years has rotted nicely and his missus uses it for compost so that'll be gone by next winter and he'll start back on that area.

Might have a look at Aubiose though... how absorbent is it compared to shavings? What size bags does it come in?
 
Not sure on availability in your area but how about Nedz Bed Pro. Its chopped oil seed rape straw that has been treated. Much more absorbent than shavings, dust free and they dont generally eat it. I love it and it is cheaper than shavings
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www.nedz.co.uk
 
I use AndyB shredded cardboard with rubber matting. The farmer who takes away our muck heap seems quite happy with it. It doesn't stick to tails, rugs etc. The only drawback I find is that Murph is very wet in his stable and I would like it to be a bit more absorbent. Better than shavings tho and defninitely more economical.
 
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