Horse Bedding
Good bedding keeps a stabled horse comfortable, encourages them to lie down and rest, and helps keep the stable clean and dry.
Good bedding keeps a stabled horse comfortable, encourages them to lie down and rest, and helps keep the stable clean and dry. The choice of bedding affects comfort, dust levels, muck-heap size and how easy the stable is to manage.
Each bedding type has its strengths; the best choice depends on your horse, your stable and your routine.
Common bedding types
Shavings are popular, absorbent and relatively low-dust; straw is traditional, warm and economical but less suitable for horses with respiratory issues or those that eat it; wood pellets and other modern beddings offer high absorbency and easy mucking out.
Dust and respiratory health
Dust can affect a horse's airways, so low-dust bedding is important for horses prone to respiratory problems. Good ventilation and dampening forage help too; ask your vet for advice on managing a horse with respiratory issues.
Depth and management
A deep, well-banked bed cushions the horse and encourages lying down. Pick out droppings and wet patches regularly to keep the bed clean, reduce waste and limit ammonia build-up.
Horse Bedding: your questions answered
Low-dust options such as good-quality shavings or dust-extracted beddings are often chosen for horses with respiratory sensitivity, alongside good ventilation. Your vet can advise for a horse with a diagnosed condition.
Deep enough to cushion the horse and encourage them to lie down, with banks around the edges to prevent them becoming cast and to reduce draughts. The exact depth depends on the bedding and stable floor.