Choosing the best bedding to suit your horse, your yard and your pocket can be a minefield! With so many to choose from, we’ve put together a list of the most common types of horse bedding with their advantages and disadvantages to help you decide!
Straw:
A traditional choice, straw makes for a really thick and fluffy-looking bed and is easy to find a supply of. It comes from cereal grains such as wheat, barley and oat.
Advantages:
Cheap Makes a cosy and comfortable bed Easy to sourceDisadvantages:
Palatable - some horses will like to eat it Bulky - makes for a large muck heap Some horses can be allergic to it Not as absorbent as other bedding types Needs to be stored indoors/coveredWood shavings:
A very popular choice and available in a wide variety of types: large flake, small/fine flake, dust extracted and more. Shavings can be cheaper when bought loose in bulk, so if you have multiple horses or can share with other owners this may be a more cost-effective option.
Advantages:
Highly absorbent and easy to muck out Easy to store outdoors if in plastic-wrapped bales Smaller muck heap Readily available Generally not palatableDisadvantages:
Can be an expensive option if your horse is very wet/dirty Can be dusty Takes a lot of bedding to make a large bedWood pellets:
Wood pellets have become a more popular choice over the last few years, as more brands have become easily available. They are made from kiln-dried wood which is compacted into hard, compressed, highly-absorbent pellets. When you add a sprinkle of water the pellets expand into soft, fluffy bedding. Ensure you are using wood pellets designed specifically for horse bedding; the pellets will initially be sterilized which reduces bacteria.
Advantages:
Space-saving - compressed pellets expand into soft, fluffy bedding when water is added Easy to store outdoors if in plastic-wrapped bales Smaller muck heap; composts more quickly than straw and shavings Easy to muck out Not dusty Generally not palatable Easy to sourceDisadvantages:
More expensive option Takes a lot of bedding to set up initially Can be harder to use in freezing weather Can be slippery while still in pellet form
Paper/cardboard:
Using paper or cardboard is a good option for horses with respiratory issues or dust allergies. They are also good for wet horses as both options are very absorbent.
Advantages:
Dust-free Highly absorbent and relatively easy to muck out Can be hard to dispose of Not palatable Can be more difficult to source Produces a warm bedDisadvantages:
Difficult to handle on outdoor yards in wind/rain - easily blown away Compacts when wet - gets heavy and slippery Not cushioning when compacted Takes a lot of bales to set upMiscanthus:
Miscanthus is an eco-friendly bedding option - it’s a crop which captures and stores carbon to help to combat the effects of climate change. This bedding can absorb up to 3 times its weight in moisture, so is a fantastic choice for wet and messy horses!
Advantages:
Eco-friendly and sustainable Highly absorbent - absorbs up to 3x its weight in moisture Long-lasting as a bed and easy to muck out Easy to store outdoors if in plastic-wrapped bales Smaller muck heap Now more commonly available Horses can find this palatableDisadvantages:
Can be more expensive Takes more bales to make a large bedRubber matting:
Designed to be fitted as wall-to-wall rubber sections, covering the floor of the stable. Though expensive, rubber matting has a number of benefits including providing a comfortable and cushioning base with improved grip as well as helping to reduce the amount of bedding needed.
Advantages:
Long-lasting and incredibly durable Provides a non-slip base Can prevent injuries such as capped hocks Easy to muck out and can be hosed down Reduces the need for a thick bed Looks smart when well fittedDisadvantages:
Considerably expensive to install Slow to dry in the winter Colder than a full bed