What is the best shavings for a horse stall?
Wood shavings are a very popular choice since they are soft, highly absorbent and easy to clean out of the stall. The most popular type of wood used in shavings comes from pine and can vary in size from large, fluffy shavings to smaller, finer size shavings.
Do you need shavings in a horse stall?
Horse stall mats offer some shock absorption and are much more forgiving than a concrete floor, but they’re not intended to be the only source of cushion for a stalled horse. Generally you’ll need to add a layer of shavings, straw, or other bedding over the mats to create a comfortable space for your horse.
How much shavings should be in a horse stall?
On average, customers apply 6 inches of shavings on the floor of the stalls to ensure a good level of comfort for the horse and an excellent absorption rate. However, if the stalls are equipped with rubber mats, less bedding thinkness is required.
How many bags of shavings do you need for a horse stall?
Startup with paper shavings is fairly simple — one bag is equivalent to a bag and a half of pine shavings, so two bags of paper shavings should be enough for a 10-by-12 stall, he explained. Another option for horse bedding may come as a surprise.
Is straw bedding better than shavings?
Straw Straw is an inexpensive, readily available bedding choice. Good-quality straw is less dusty—but is also less absorbent—than shavings or sawdust. If the stall is bedded properly, the straw can form a comfortable mat barrier between manure and urine, which settles to the bottom of the stall.
Is cedar shavings bad for horses?
As a type of bedding, cedar wood is an exceptionally good choice. However, some horses may have a bad reaction to cedar wood, in which case, you may want to consider pine wood. Pine Wood. Pine wood is a popular choice for stables as horses typically do not suffer any ill effects from contact with the shavings.
Are shavings better than straw?
In conclusion, straw is cheaper than shavings but more difficult to muck out and makes your muck heap huge in a small amount of time. Shavings are more expensive and it is important you use a high quality brand so you don’t overwhelm your horse in dust and keep your bed tidy and mucked out.
How often should stalls be cleaned?
every day
Ideally, horse stalls should be cleaned every day and kept as clean as possible. Since horses often lie down in their stalls at night, this behavior means that if you are not keeping the stalls clean, horses could be lying in their own urine or manure – and there’s nothing healthy about that!
Are oak shavings OK for horses?
Oak shavings rarely cause irritations but is not widely available, as it is only accessible where hardwoods are milled. Black Walnut shavings should not be used for horses because it can be toxic and even brief contact can cause extreme irritation and hair loss for horses. Stay away from these shavings.
Can pine shavings be used in horse stalls?
Pine wood is a popular choice for stables as horses typically do not suffer any ill effects from contact with the shavings. In fact, most horses that react to pine wood have been in contact with undried shavings, which still contain sap.