Types of Bedding for Horses

Horses, especially pure-bred stallions, are a magnificent sight to the eye. Those long legs galloping across the turf, the majestic mane flowing in the wind, those taut muscles pumping every ounce of strength... Watching a horse go flat out on the race track is truly a spectacle.

Naturally, people tend to perceive horses as being strong, sturdy, rock solid and almost invincible. However, many are ignorant about the fact that horses need to be very carefully looked after, or else they can develop serious health issues. One of the important factors in maintaining the health and well-being of a horse, is its bedding. In most cases, horses are kept in stables, barns or sometimes, in trailers. The type of bedding being used assumes paramount priority, as it directly affects the amount of rest and sleep that the horse will get. There are different types of horse bedding available, each having its own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Straw Bedding
This is the most common and oldest known form of bedding. It is cheap, easy to obtain, natural, warm and less clumsy to use as compared to certain other types of bedding. However, it tends to leave the stable in a dusty mess and once wet, it is very cumbersome to store. Also, horses tend to be affected by the dusty straw and this can, in certain cases, lead to respiratory problems and allergies.

Paper Bedding
In this case, paper from print magazines, newspapers and other sources is shredded into strips and used as bedding. This type of bedding is much cleaner than straw bedding and therefore, can be a good option for allergy-prone horses. However, it is comparatively costlier, as large quantities of shredded paper are required to create a thick-layered bed, on which the horses can lie down. Also, when wet, the shredded paper can be quite messy to handle.

Wood Shavings Bedding
Wood shavings are a type of bedding that have become quite popular in recent times. They can be obtained from saw mills or from designated stores. However, care must be taken to ensure that the shavings do not contain any sharp pieces of wood, nails, or other potentially dangerous foreign objects. Wood shavings are easily available and generally maintenance free. However, in due course, they tend to leave a lot of residual dust which, if inhaled, can be harmful for the horses. In some cases, sawdust is used as a substitute for wood shavings, but it also creates a dusty environment, which can consequently irritate the lungs.

Hemp Bedding
In this case, the inner stalks of hemp plants are bunched together, watered, softened, and then laid down to create a soft, absorbent bedding for horses. This is a relatively expensive type of bedding as the hemp stalks require a certain amount of processing, before they can be used as bedding. However, this particular bedding is extremely absorbent, clean and durable. Also, removal and disposal of soiled hemp is easier as compared to other bedding types. However, it is indigestible, and if eaten, can cause a bit of inflammation in the horse's stomach.

Wood Pellet Bedding
This is a slightly modified version of wood shavings bedding. In this case, the wood shavings are pressure-compressed into dry pellets. Since they are quite dry in the first place, they tend to expand when wet, and in the process, settle down evenly on the stable floor. This type of bedding, though clean and easy to maintain, has a high setup cost.

Rubber Matting
Of all the different bedding types available, this is by far the best option. It involves the usage of a thick rubber mat as bedding, and is sometimes also layered with sawdust, wooden shavings, etc. It provides very good cushioning to the horses, is reasonably absorbent, and quite easy to clean and maintain. Though it incurs a high setup cost, it is extremely durable and is a total value-for-money option.

With the amount of workload that horses are subjected to these days, getting the right type of bedding is very crucial in ensuring that the horse remains injury-free and healthy. Surely, we can do that much for our beloved horses, in return for those memorable horse riding experiences.