If you stall your horse for any length of time at all, you’re probably familiar with stall bedding.
However, the type of bedding you use is important. Not only does it affect your horse’s comfort level but also the air quality in the barn.
Here are some of the most common stall bedding materials and the pros and cons of each:
Wood Shavings
Wood shavings are readily available, making them a popular option. The pros are that they aren’t likely to develop mold and aren’t as dusty as some other bedding materials. The cons, however, are that they do contain some dust and don’t compost easily. For horses with respiratory problems, larger-flaked wood shavings are recommended due to their lower dust content.
Sawdust
Sawdust is inexpensive and readily available in most areas. This material makes cleaning stalls easy, but the downfall of sawdust is that it’s dusty, which can create respiratory problems or get in the horse’s eyes. Sawdust is best used in well-ventilated areas.
Straw
Straw is also readily available at most feed and farm supply stores. The pros are that horses seem to find straw comfortable for sleeping and they can also safely eat it in most instances, which reduces the likelihood of stereotypic behaviors. However, some straw types can be dusty, and this bedding type may be prone to mold.
Peat
Peat moss is gaining in popularity as a stall bedding in some parts of the world. It’s been found to be less dusty than some other bedding materials and may be better for horses with respiratory problems. It’s easy to compost and makes stall cleaning fairly easy. However, the cons are that peat is expensive and its extraction process releases carbon dioxide into the air, which isn’t good for the environment.
Wood Pellets
The pros of wood pellets are that they are very absorbent, and expand when exposed to moisture. They are also low in dust. The cons are that they may not provide the best cushioning for horses who are stalled long-term. However, wood pellets can be mixed with other types of bedding to increase absorbency.
Keep in mind that adding stall mats beneath whatever bedding you decide to use can provide further cushioning and also reduce the amount of bedding you’ll need. If you’re looking for ultimate comfort, consider Ramm’s ThuroBed Mattress System.
