horsegirl
Well-Known Member
I see a few people who seem to use it as an excuse to not muck out for 2 or 3 weeks and then just dig it all out after this
What is the correct way to deep litter?
- Thread starter horsegirl
- Start date
ihatework
Well-Known Member
True deep litter would be a deep bed, skipped out daily with fresh bedding added on top as required. The key to a good deep litter is having the right stable base (earth / chalk are best IMO) and to keep the bed really deep.
What you describe is a semi-deep litter. Skip out daily, add fresh on top and then periodically dig out the wet. This is what I do with mine as am on concrete base.
What you describe is a semi-deep litter. Skip out daily, add fresh on top and then periodically dig out the wet. This is what I do with mine as am on concrete base.
horsegirl
Well-Known Member
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
QUICKFIRE
Well-Known Member
I deep litter, mines about ten weeks old now, I like useing straw because its cheep but have also done it with miscanthus.
I only skip out and only remove dropings, pat down any disturbed straw and put fresh on top. I find this so easy as the mare can be a wet so-n-so but once the bed starts working you dont get the amonia smell, as bed is not being disturbed, its also warmer as it starts to heat up and its always a nice thick bed, no capped hocks and daughter has the privilage of digging out when horses are turned out full time
I only skip out and only remove dropings, pat down any disturbed straw and put fresh on top. I find this so easy as the mare can be a wet so-n-so but once the bed starts working you dont get the amonia smell, as bed is not being disturbed, its also warmer as it starts to heat up and its always a nice thick bed, no capped hocks and daughter has the privilage of digging out when horses are turned out full time
hairymolly
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
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This is stinky poor horseys, a deep littered bed should be maintained ever day.
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
[/ QUOTE ]
This is stinky poor horseys, a deep littered bed should be maintained ever day.
stace1
Well-Known Member
ive started mine on a deep litter bed what with the cold weather, think its warmer for them.
mine is skipped out every day, lots of fresh on top, to keep it clean and tidy
mine is skipped out every day, lots of fresh on top, to keep it clean and tidy
Tharg
Well-Known Member
How do horses hooves fare on deep litter beds? (esp if horse is a particular 'wet' one) Shavings are used at my yard.
When you take it all out are you able to do this by hand or do you need a tractor
When you take it all out are you able to do this by hand or do you need a tractor
Parkranger
Well-Known Member
I've only seen one deep litter bed that worked - the mare was quite clean and had a nearly foot deep bed that was always skipped out property.
Personally don't like them and think they lead to thrush etc with very wet horses.
Personally don't like them and think they lead to thrush etc with very wet horses.
PurplePickle
Well-Known Member
I deep litter on straw , I find hooves need picking out more but thats probably as horse is on box rest.
SusieT
Well-Known Member
I have alwasy deep littered-works excellently on peat.
However, currently on a concrete base, with a slight slope, just take out the droppings daily and ensure a good covering of clean bedding (mainly from banks). Haven't removed the base in a few years now-and it is not too thick etc. Any wet stuff riding up et.c removed but the base needs to be wet to be deep litter. Never had any problems and so much more stable than a full muck out I find
However, currently on a concrete base, with a slight slope, just take out the droppings daily and ensure a good covering of clean bedding (mainly from banks). Haven't removed the base in a few years now-and it is not too thick etc. Any wet stuff riding up et.c removed but the base needs to be wet to be deep litter. Never had any problems and so much more stable than a full muck out I find
ester
Not slacking multitasking
we semi deep litter on straw.
skip out in morning, 1 or 2 slices of small bale straw on top as required, none added on day 6, norma muck out on day 7. saves a lot of straw, top layer is always dry and always a nice thick bed without using too much straw. It takes me 15 mins to muck out the wet as I would any other bed and is about a barrow and a half. It does work better with our tidier horse (mine) with sufficient top ups and he could prob do much longer but the mare mixes a bit more so we find this suits us. Saves time in week.
use about a bale to 1.5 a week per horse, 1/2 bale added after muck out.
skip out in morning, 1 or 2 slices of small bale straw on top as required, none added on day 6, norma muck out on day 7. saves a lot of straw, top layer is always dry and always a nice thick bed without using too much straw. It takes me 15 mins to muck out the wet as I would any other bed and is about a barrow and a half. It does work better with our tidier horse (mine) with sufficient top ups and he could prob do much longer but the mare mixes a bit more so we find this suits us. Saves time in week.
use about a bale to 1.5 a week per horse, 1/2 bale added after muck out.
WishfulThinker
Well-Known Member
I think I used to have about 1ft of bedding - I used shavings and Some other shavings type one - with the big flakes, I want to say equisorb.
I used to take out all the poop and any really mucky bedding, then use some of the banks to cover the top and I would top up the banks every 2 -3 days.
It never stank, was never squidgey and I would have happily sat on it myself. I wouldn't say his feet needed picked out more.
I used to take out all the poop and any really mucky bedding, then use some of the banks to cover the top and I would top up the banks every 2 -3 days.
It never stank, was never squidgey and I would have happily sat on it myself. I wouldn't say his feet needed picked out more.
Grey_Showjumper
Well-Known Member
i deep littered last year, not this year though, he got dirty being a grey as he likes to sort of dig himself a hole to lie in...
but i would just take out the poo, cover up any manky straw then add new straw on top.. everyday.
it really needs to be done properly though otherwise it just gets disgusting!
also its really tempting when you find a gross bit to take it out, but you shouldn't do this too much as you end up digging and digging and ruining the bed! so just cover it up unless really foul!
but i would just take out the poo, cover up any manky straw then add new straw on top.. everyday.
it really needs to be done properly though otherwise it just gets disgusting!
also its really tempting when you find a gross bit to take it out, but you shouldn't do this too much as you end up digging and digging and ruining the bed! so just cover it up unless really foul!
Persephone
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
[/ QUOTE ]
That is not deep littering. It's neglect IMO.
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
[/ QUOTE ]
That is not deep littering. It's neglect IMO.
diggerbez
Well-Known Member
i love deep littering....what you have described OP is just plain lazy
i deep litter both of mine as a time thing- it makes life much quicker...and i use much less straw. my TB especially is very wet and very scruffy so if he is mucked out properly everyday he turns his bed upside down and ends up on concrete. on deep litter he's fab. i take out poos everyday and any wet that has really come to the surface and then top with new straw as needed. its supposed to be good for their hooves if you use straw as it makes it warm- but if using shavings it can suck the moisture out of their feet as its so absorbent...sure thats what i got told
i wouldn't say that it causes thrush anymore than a normal bed- if it does then its not being done properly
i deep litter both of mine as a time thing- it makes life much quicker...and i use much less straw. my TB especially is very wet and very scruffy so if he is mucked out properly everyday he turns his bed upside down and ends up on concrete. on deep litter he's fab. i take out poos everyday and any wet that has really come to the surface and then top with new straw as needed. its supposed to be good for their hooves if you use straw as it makes it warm- but if using shavings it can suck the moisture out of their feet as its so absorbent...sure thats what i got told
charlimouse
Well-Known Member
I've started deep littering mine during this cold snap as I don't have rubber matting just concrete. Mine are messy beasties and tend to churn their beds around, but on deep litter they are much better as they are unable to mess up the base, so are never down to the concrete. I make sure I throughly skip out, and I remove any wet that has worked its way to the top. I then add a clean layer of straw on top. My deep litter beds are so cosy and warm, and don't smell at all. Plus my grey boy actually manages to keep himself cleaner on deep litter rather than daily full muck outs!!!!!!!
_HP_
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
[/ QUOTE ]
That is not deep littering. It's neglect IMO.
[/ QUOTE ]
agree...thats just plain disgusting
Deep litter done properly is great. Once the bed is established you should only have to remove droppings and top up the straw/shavings. The base sort of dries out and should not smell...
[ QUOTE ]
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
[/ QUOTE ]
That is not deep littering. It's neglect IMO.
[/ QUOTE ]
agree...thats just plain disgusting
Deep litter done properly is great. Once the bed is established you should only have to remove droppings and top up the straw/shavings. The base sort of dries out and should not smell...
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Agreed HP. Properly done a deep litter bed is a pleasure to keep. Apart from the 6 month dig out of course lol
shiresrus123
Well-Known Member
could you do this with wood pellets, adding a dry bag every few days to the sides to bring down?
ester
Not slacking multitasking
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
[/ QUOTE ]
That is not deep littering. It's neglect IMO.
[/ QUOTE ]
I do actually agree, it is an offence to not provide fresh straw as a top layer for all other livestock when housed so imagine the same is applicable to horses.
[ QUOTE ]
i don't think they are even skipped out and certainly no fresh bedding is added, after a week the horses are standing in solid poo
[/ QUOTE ]
That is not deep littering. It's neglect IMO.
[/ QUOTE ]
I do actually agree, it is an offence to not provide fresh straw as a top layer for all other livestock when housed so imagine the same is applicable to horses.
DW Team
Well-Known Member
I have two that I can deep litter both mares. They are both on straw I skip out every dropping, flick clean straw on to banks to check. Taking care when doing this that I do not distirb the lower bed. Then relay the straw and top up with clean. Both mares have beds that are now about 12 weeks old. The old lady (23) loves it as she has a nice deep bed to rest at night and often in the morning I can see where she has been sleeping. I will skip out again in the evening. If I happen to be on the yard in the day and there are droppings they are removed as and when.
muffinino
Well-Known Member
I start out with a normal bed and move the wet around for a week or so, so that it creates a layer of wet underneath to rot down and stick together. Take the poo out every day, but leave the wet and, as much as possible, do not mess with it so that it all settes and creates a solid base underneath the dry stuff. The trick is to not potch with the wet as much as possible, only skimming off wet that comes loose or to the surface, as i will rot down if you leave it.
I put in fresh straw most days, though some days there's enough in there to pull down once the poo has ben taken out - to much dry straw and you have to use a ladder to climb into the stable!
Deep litter takes as much work as any other bed but is far better imho as the wet stays underneath and doesn't come to the surface like it does if you take it out every day; I wouldn't have my stables any other way. My horse therefore has a bed that fills his whole stable so he's never stood on a hard surface, as deep as his water buckets that's clean, dry & non-smelly on top but is comfier than rubber matting to lie on and very warm.
I'll try to get a picture sequence of how it looks, before, during and after muck out
I put in fresh straw most days, though some days there's enough in there to pull down once the poo has ben taken out - to much dry straw and you have to use a ladder to climb into the stable!
Deep litter takes as much work as any other bed but is far better imho as the wet stays underneath and doesn't come to the surface like it does if you take it out every day; I wouldn't have my stables any other way. My horse therefore has a bed that fills his whole stable so he's never stood on a hard surface, as deep as his water buckets that's clean, dry & non-smelly on top but is comfier than rubber matting to lie on and very warm.
I'll try to get a picture sequence of how it looks, before, during and after muck out
Chumsmum
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Agreed HP. Properly done a deep litter bed is a pleasure to keep. Apart from the 6 month dig out of course lol
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I've just done my 6 month dig out
lots of trips to the muck heap but worth it for the time and money it saves me the rest of the year
Agreed HP. Properly done a deep litter bed is a pleasure to keep. Apart from the 6 month dig out of course lol
[/ QUOTE ]
I've just done my 6 month dig out
FFF
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
i love deep littering....what you have described OP is just plain lazy
i deep litter both of mine as a time thing- it makes life much quicker...and i use much less straw. my TB especially is very wet and very scruffy so if he is mucked out properly everyday he turns his bed upside down and ends up on concrete. on deep litter he's fab. i take out poos everyday and any wet that has really come to the surface and then top with new straw as needed. its supposed to be good for their hooves if you use straw as it makes it warm- but if using shavings it can suck the moisture out of their feet as its so absorbent...sure thats what i got told
i wouldn't say that it causes thrush anymore than a normal bed- if it does then its not being done properly
[/ QUOTE ]
This but with shavings
for me
i love deep littering....what you have described OP is just plain lazy
i deep litter both of mine as a time thing- it makes life much quicker...and i use much less straw. my TB especially is very wet and very scruffy so if he is mucked out properly everyday he turns his bed upside down and ends up on concrete. on deep litter he's fab. i take out poos everyday and any wet that has really come to the surface and then top with new straw as needed. its supposed to be good for their hooves if you use straw as it makes it warm- but if using shavings it can suck the moisture out of their feet as its so absorbent...sure thats what i got told
[/ QUOTE ]
This but with shavings
_HP_
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Agreed HP. Properly done a deep litter bed is a pleasure to keep. Apart from the 6 month dig out of course lol
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Thats what kids are for...lol
Agreed HP. Properly done a deep litter bed is a pleasure to keep. Apart from the 6 month dig out of course lol
[/ QUOTE ]
Thats what kids are for...lol
horsegirl
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
we semi deep litter on straw.
skip out in morning, 1 or 2 slices of small bale straw on top as required, none added on day 6, norma muck out on day 7. saves a lot of straw, top layer is always dry and always a nice thick bed without using too much straw. It takes me 15 mins to muck out the wet as I would any other bed and is about a barrow and a half. It does work better with our tidier horse (mine) with sufficient top ups and he could prob do much longer but the mare mixes a bit more so we find this suits us. Saves time in week.
use about a bale to 1.5 a week per horse, 1/2 bale added after muck out.
[/ QUOTE ]
I only use 1 bale of straw a week anyway and I muck out every day and add a new bale every weekend, mostly as banks and then drag the banks down a little at a time to replace the wet
we semi deep litter on straw.
skip out in morning, 1 or 2 slices of small bale straw on top as required, none added on day 6, norma muck out on day 7. saves a lot of straw, top layer is always dry and always a nice thick bed without using too much straw. It takes me 15 mins to muck out the wet as I would any other bed and is about a barrow and a half. It does work better with our tidier horse (mine) with sufficient top ups and he could prob do much longer but the mare mixes a bit more so we find this suits us. Saves time in week.
use about a bale to 1.5 a week per horse, 1/2 bale added after muck out.
[/ QUOTE ]
I only use 1 bale of straw a week anyway and I muck out every day and add a new bale every weekend, mostly as banks and then drag the banks down a little at a time to replace the wet