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Horse Bedding Choices
Horse owners have several choices when it comes to bedding, from
loose shavings to straw to pellets. Information regarding each of
these options is presented below.
Choices
Loose or Baled Shavings and Sawdust
- widely used, long history as sawmill residue
- shavings are difficult to pick out
- high consumption and disposal
Straw
- historically plentiful as agricultural byproduct
- hard to pick out
- high ammonia
- some mushroom farm value
Shredded Newspapers
- from municipal recycling, curbside pickups
- contamination from inks and other types of paper
- soggy pick out
Other Materials, Not Widely Used
- sand
- corn cob
- peat moss
- hemp
Wood Pellets
- a new choice for the equestrian community
- adapted from conversion of sawmill residue to fuel
- fast, efficient pick out
- low consumption and easy disposal
Wood Sources and Suitability
| Hardwoods Used in Manufacturing
of Veneer, Furniture, Flooring, Cabinets |
| - |
must be free from hardwoods
toxic to horses (i.e. Yellow Poplar, Walnut) |
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Not Recommended |
| Salvaged Lumber |
| - |
e.g. construction waste, building
demolition, landfill sorting, skids |
| - |
may have contaminants such as
treated lumber, paint, metal |
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Do Not Use |
| Softwoods Used in Lumber,
Primary Paper Production |
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from sawmill residues when no
competing uses, location accessible |
| - |
for bedding, must have minimal
bark and resin |
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Suitable for Use as Bedding |
Wood Pellet Bedding
What is Pellet Bedding?
- shavings are hammermilled to consistent size, and compacted
into pellets
- wood lignin (a natural binding agent) holds pellets together
in compressed form
- in stall, moisture releases compressed fiber to provide fluffy
bedding
- smaller particles are more absorptive, easier to pick out, and
produce less waste
Types of Pellets
Consumer and Industrial Fuel
- hardwoods and softwoods from sawmills, secondary sources, salvaged
wood
- intended for fuel value; can include woods toxic to horses
- finer particles acceptable for fuel, but potential dust source
in bedding
MBC Magnum Horse Bedding
- uses only white organic softwood (i.e. low bark, resin)
- higher moisture content than fuel pellets reduces dust in milling
process
- hammermill operation and aspiration designed to capture and
reduce dust
- secure sources of supply reduces the problem that many users
of other bedding choices are beginning to experience -- bedding
shortages
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