| There are a number of different types of horse | | | | * It is cheaper to buy but you need to make it |
| bedding to help keep your horse comfortable and | | | | deep as it gets saturated very quickly and needs |
| to try and encourage the horse to lie down. They | | | | mucking out regularly |
| all have their advantages and disadvantages, but | | | | * It is light and easy to handle but the downfall is |
| our trials show that the best horse bedding is | | | | that it often made from printed paper therefore |
| straw. The types of horse bedding include: | | | | the print may transfer onto the horse - especially |
| Straw | | | | greys |
| * Straw is the most popular bed used, mainly | | | | * It is hard to control in the wind as it is very light |
| because it is comfortable and warm for the horse | | | | Rubber |
| when it lies down | | | | * Is a recent type of horse bedding |
| * It has very good drainage | | | | * It was first used in trailers but now you can |
| * And there are three different types of straw - | | | | buy it for your horse stable |
| wheat, barley and oat. Wheat is the best as it is | | | | * It is very easy to clean, can be hosed and it is |
| comfortable, absorbent and warm | | | | good as a prevention to horses slipping |
| Two of the disadvantages of using straw for | | | | * It can also be used with a layer of shavings or |
| horse bedding is that it may be dusty or could | | | | straw |
| contain fungal spores which could get into the | | | | * However it does not absorb wet therefore the |
| horses eyes or could cause an allergic reaction | | | | horse will be lying in dirt if there isn't a layer to |
| leading to respiratory problems, However, the | | | | help absorb it |
| best horse bedding is said to be straw | | | | * It does not look very attractive and doesn't |
| Wood shavings | | | | provide much warmth or comfort |
| * Are good for horses that have respiratory | | | | Peat |
| problems but can be expensive | | | | * It is not used as much today but is still a good |
| * Shavings do not have spores provided they are | | | | form of bedding |
| dust free | | | | * It is comfortable and very absorbent |
| * They are highly absorbent and are easy to | | | | * It won't burst into flames in the event of a fire |
| work with | | | | However, peat does have its downfall - it is |
| Two disadvantages of wood shavings for horses | | | | expensive, heavy to handle and needs regular |
| bedding are that shavings are difficult to dispose | | | | mucking out to prevent it going soggy |
| of and they are not as warm and comfortable as | | | | Whatever horse bedding you use, the purpose of |
| straw. | | | | it is to give the horse something comfortable for |
| Paper | | | | it to lie on. Also it helps insulation, absorb moisture |
| * Paper is used with horses that tend to eat their | | | | and prevents the horse from banging its legs on |
| beds | | | | the hard walls and floor. |
| * It is good with horses that have allergies or | | | | Our recommendation based on solid experience is |
| respiratory problems because it is dust free | | | | that straw is the best horse bedding. |