Where do you get bedding from?

[sam295]

Just doing abit of research and was wondering where everyone gets there bedding from? Do you collect it from nearby retailers etc or do you buy it direct from the manufacturers? Im based in North Lincs and unless I buy a bulk load from the manufactures it difficult to get hold of any in the quantities I want delivered. My yard all use different bedding so would prefer to order all different types...anyone know anywhere?

Do you guys stable all year round aswell? Sorry maybe too many questions on one post...Im new to all this

 

[Cliqmo]

Hi Sam, welcome to the forum

1. I buy my shavings from the feed merchants across the road who- when I'm feeling ultra lazy- also deliver. Sadly the manufacturers aren't interested in small orders so I don't have an option regarding buying it in bulk for less.

2. Being in Dorset I can't help with suppliers for Lincs I'm fraid

3. He is stabled at night and out during the day in the winter and (will probably be) out at night and in during the day in the summer

Prepare to be addicted to the forum

 

[Doris68]

Heart of England, based in Newmarket. They deliver Bliss bedding (30 something bales) on a pallet and unload and stack it for me. Their head office is in Northants I think?? They may have a depot near you - it might be worth enquiring.

My old girl is stabled at night (kept at home) in the winter and then is turned out (restricted grazing) spring/summer/autumn with permanent access to her stable.

 

[sam295]

Thanks guy - Alison I think you might be right with addiction!

Its a pain havin to collect bedding my little fiesta has a very limited capacity! And no one caters for us small scale folk.

I was just wondering about all year stabling as we go from one extreme to another in my girls 3 acre paddock there is barely any grass then come summer we lose half the paddock for hay and they have to be strictly stripped grassed.....so both in winter and summer I get the sad 'puppy' dog eyes of feed me feed me!!

 

[Birker2020]

I am lucky enough to get mine free from the timber yard. They are really good quality pine shavings which Dad manages to collect once the hopper has enough in it. He is quite friendly with the chap from the timber yard and often repairs his wood working machines for him free of charge as a little thank you. We have been using the same place for the last 15 years and none of my horses have ever coughed on the shavings despite them not being dust extracted yet when I do get the odd bale of shavings which is given to me by a friend and put it in the stable my horse coughs and that is meant to be dust extracted. The secret to dust free shavings is to mix the new with the old, never just leave new stuff loose on top as that is a recipe for disaster! By mixing old with new you are increasing the life of the older stuff (so long as it is not damp or wet). If it is slightly damp push it into the banks and bury it. In two or three days time the heat of the shavings in your bank will have dried any damp stuff. My stable and banks rarely smell and you could swing an axe through the banks and not get through them as they are that strong!