Bedding

Question 1

What are some qualities of good bedding

Answer 1

Absorbent, dust free, cushions, easy to clean and dispose of, unpalatable and affordable

Question 2

What should stall mats consist of

Answer 2

Mat between floor and bedding
Usually one inch thick so you don’t have to use as much bedding

Question 3

What is the most common type of bedding for foaling mares

Answer 3

Straw

Question 4

What are pros and cons of straw

Answer 4

Less expensive, stays clean if picked out regularly, provides good drainage
Can be expensive if hauled in and horses might eat it, not as absorbent and can be dusty, can also be difficult to clean

Question 5

What are the pros and cons of shavings

Answer 5

Can be economical depending on location, can be delivered in bulk and is absorbent
Less available due to closure of sawmills, can be dusty and get in horses eyes

Question 6

Would you rather use soft or hard wood

Answer 6

Soft

Question 7

What are the pros and cons of sand bedding

Answer 7

It’s porous and can be used in bags or bulk, can be used under other bedding
It’s heavy to handle and can cause colic

Question 8

What is psyllium

Answer 8

A plant that is used as a top dressing which acts as a gel when wet and allows the sand to pass through the GI tract

Question 9

What are the pros and cons of shredded paper

Answer 9

Highly absorbent and dust free, the carbon content of ink reduced odor and it’s not harmful if horses eat it
Cons are that ink may transfer onto light colored horses or onto walls, it’s not ideal for spreading onto fields after use and can be expensive

Question 10

What are the pros and cons of peat moss

Answer 10

Absorbent and horses won’t eat it, a little goes a long way and it’s easily found in garden sections
It’s dusty and not economical for more than a couple stalls

Question 11

What are the pros and cons of hay

Answer 11

Horses can eat and won’t get impacted, gives horses more grazing time, and can feed used bedding to other livestock
Expensive and horses can become overweight

Question 12

What are some bedding alternatives

Answer 12

Rice and soybean hulls, peanut shells, hemp, reused compost bedding
Everything but reused compost bedding will stick to everything

Question 13

Why should you never use hardwood such as black walnut

Answer 13

It contains chemicals that will cause laminitis if ingested