Advantages Recycled wood fibre Sawdust Wood Wood pellets Straw Chopped straw Recycled wood Sawdust is a lumber mill byproduct, which makes it widely available and relatively inexpensive. It's often made up of fine particles that produce dust, which can cause eye issues and exacerbate respiratory conditions. Purpose- produced are a popular type of bedding, but the quality can vary enormously particularly with regards to dust content. It is important that you only buy that have been specifically produced as animal bedding. The particles are typically larger than sawdust, making them a less irritating or dusty bedding option. These are made from heat- treated and compact sawdust. To use them, water has to be added to fluff them up and increase their absorbency. Pelleted horse bedding is made of compressed wood or wheat product that expands when exposed to moisture. Usually sold in 40- pound bags, pellets are easy to store. Straw, the byproduct of grain production, is economical horse bedding. While it s not as absorbent as other options, straw is often recommended for foaling stalls because it won t stick to wet newborns. It is also found in racetracks Wheat and oat straw are most commonly used. Straw can be a low- cost option - unless you live where there is a shortage of straw and the price is sky- high. Today straw is used generally in foaling stalls. Straw is easy to get off newborn foals and does not stick Price Competitively priced to local market conditions for wood cheaper in bulk qty as it is loose bedding local market condition price local market condition prices Cheap unless there is a shortage of straw in the region Cheap unless there is a shortage of straw in the region Absorbency More absorbent than the original wood and absorbs and reduces odors more absorbent than absorbency decreased with size of shaving flake High absorbency - needs water to activate not as absorbent as other types of bedding not as absorbent as other types of bedding No dust and Low dust blends based on local conditions Higher dust content Kiln dried with lower moisture content are heavier and more chip like - free Aesthetically pleasing has been extracted Handling Baled in 1 wheelbarrow load for portion control Loose bulk need large storage areas Pellets can last longer as can be more precise larger bulk bales Removal Easy to pick and handle manure clean up / out Easy to muck out, & easily stored Easy to muck out, & easily stored Easy to muck out, can become mushy and more sloppy than More bedding gets removed each time the stall is cleaned, stay clean when picked often Not as bulky as regular straw, so produces a smaller muck heap Hypo Allergenic Yes, the most hypo allergenic wood fibre bedding on the planet No, loose sawdust can be 35% wet and have pathogens mold and critters running through it No unless kiln dried, which can cause dust in lower quality wood pellets are generally more hypo allergenic than due to lower dust contents No No Availability Available in local regions where a Plant is operational Widely available Widely available Widely available Where straw is available in region or shipped in Where straw is available in region or shipped in Special Features Inhibitors added against mold, bacteria, pathogens, flies after stalled generally sold as green sawdust Non- palatable Manure piles are healthier meaning less flies Can provide good drainage Treated to be non- palatable Waste Management Composting Reduced transportation for Does not compost well due to Does not compost well due to haulers and solves the waste the lignum in the wood the lignum in the wood management crisis Very little waste and composts faster with better nutrient values mushroom farmers will take the used bedding / manure away when bedded on straw mushroom farmers will take the used bedding / manure away when bedded on straw Environmental Features The most environmentally conscious wood fibre bedding on the planet Not environmentally friendly and without proper disposal causes off gassing and leaching generally used from "dead" trees or tree farms reducing its contribution to deforestation More Eco- friendly than and breaks down faster Breaks down to produce good garden manure Breaks down to produce good garden manure
Disadvantages Recycled wood fibre Sawdust Wood Wood pellets Straw Chopped straw Recycled wood Sawdust is a lumber mill byproduct, which makes it widely available and relatively inexpensive. It's often made up of fine particles that produce dust, which can cause eye issues and exacerbate respiratory conditions. Purpose- produced are a popular type of bedding, but the quality can vary enormously particularly with regards to dust content. It is important that you only buy that have been specifically produced as animal bedding. The particles are typically larger than sawdust, making them a less irritating or dusty bedding option. These are made from heat- treated and compact sawdust. To use them, water has to be added to fluff them up and increase their absorbency. Pelleted horse bedding is made of compressed wood or wheat product that expands when exposed to moisture. Usually sold in 40- pound bags, pellets are easy to store. Straw, the byproduct of grain production, is economical horse bedding. While it s not as absorbent as other options, straw is often recommended for foaling stalls because it won t stick to wet newborns. It is also found in racetracks Wheat and oat straw are most commonly used. Straw can be a low- cost option - unless you live where there is a shortage of straw and the price is sky- high. Today straw is used generally in foaling stalls. Straw is easy to get off newborn foals and does not stick Cost cost of facility high, cost higher than bulk Closure of sawmills means availability can fluctuate Price and Availability can fluctuate. More costly in bags If hauled in, can be expensive More expensive than straw, although cost is reduced with bulk deliveries Look & absorbency & smell Use, Storage & Disposal Quality Control Other ventilation colour changes to a golden brown flake proprietary blend smell is different to other pick up of used bedding is required to be more frequent N./A probably the most stringent quality control in the industry Availability. Plant facilities built only where there is a large populous of horses and humans Although dust free, blend particles will help with respiratory issues, good ventilation is recommended generally loose and therefore wet dusty when dry can cause horse cough and other respiratory problems need large areas to store it and disposal is becoming stringent to prevent off gassing and leaching mold and pathogen growth prior to bedding the horse stall common and can get in horses eyes care has to be taken to ensure the bed does not become wet, causing a build up of ammonia Cheaper brands can contain high dust levels and create respiratory issues and dusty horses Can be difficult to dispose of take much longer to rot down and EPA is stopping landfill disposal Needs constant removal of droppings Needs good ventilation Need to add water when the bedding is put down, which adds time In cold weather pellets may not absorb moisture well Can be slippery whilst still in pellet form, some landfills will not accept wood products cheaper pellets can contain glue or chemical additives better when used in conjunction with rubber mats Less ventilation mandatory due to lower dust levels Some horses are allergic to it and due to its good drainage urine can seep to stall floor Bulky and messy to store and can be dusty and moldy Some horses are allergic to it and due to its good drainage urine can seep to stall floor Ammonia build up is higher when bedded on straw Can be difficult to dispose of if you are running a large Need a lot of straw to bed the yard. Cost of disposal can horse well offset initial inexpensive price Some horses like to eat it - especially where seeds are left in Soon makes a large muck heap can vary greatly in quality Sold through selected stockiest
Comparison Chart Recycled wood fibre Sawdust Wood Wood pellets Straw Chopped straw Recycled wood Sawdust is a lumber mill byproduct, which makes it widely available and relatively inexpensive. It's often made up of fine particles that produce dust, which can cause eye issues and exacerbate respiratory conditions. Purpose- produced are a popular type of bedding, but the quality can vary enormously particularly with regards to dust content. It is important that you only buy that have been specifically produced as animal bedding. The particles are typically larger than sawdust, making them a less irritating or dusty bedding option. These are made from heat- treated and compact sawdust. To use them, water has to be added to fluff them up and increase their absorbency. Pelleted horse bedding is made of compressed wood or wheat product that expands when exposed to moisture. Usually sold in 40- pound bags, pellets are easy to store. Straw, the byproduct of grain production, is economical horse bedding. While it s not as absorbent as other options, straw is often recommended for foaling stalls because it won t stick to wet newborns. It is also found in racetracks Wheat and oat straw are most commonly used. Straw can be a low- cost option - unless you live where there is a shortage of straw and the price is sky- high. Today straw is used generally in foaling stalls. Straw is easy to get off newborn foals and does not stick Supplier Local community Local sawmills Bedding Suppliers and Mills Bedding Suppliers Local Farms or shipped in Local Farms or shipped in Distance to supplier (generally) 0-50 miles 0-300 miles 0-1500 miles 0-1500 miles 0-300 miles 0-300 miles Recycled bedding Yes (in multiple cycles) Yes with a GSA plant Yes with a GSA plant NO N0 No Land Fill disposal N/A as recycled No No No No No Average Moisture Content 7-10% 15-35% 10-15% 5-9% 10-20% 10-20% Absorbency Higher than original fibre Mid to high Low the larger the flake High Low - Mid Low - Mid Ammonia Odour Greatly reduced Stall can smell without regular Stall can smell quickly without regular Mid - High odour removal low absorbency can lead to high odour in stalls low absorbency can lead to high odour in stalls Low to no dust based on local bedding recycled dependent on quality can have high dust content dependent on quality can have low to medium dust content unless low quality pellets - low dust high dust content high dust content Fly inhibitors Horse Health inhibitors Yes the only wood fibre bedding to introduce inhibitors to mold, pathogens and flies Excellent Horse Health by introducing inhibitors to bacteria, mold, pathogens and flies in a dust free environment lower fly zone than sawdust/ Low horse health due to dust Medium horse health Good horse health Low horse health due to dust Low horse health due to dust
Advantages Recycled wood fibre Shredded paper Hemp/flax Rubber matting Peat Moss Recycled wood This tends to be a mixture of newspaper, magazine and other unwanted printed matter. It is often considered to be a cheaper option, but a large number of bales may be needed to create a thick bed. It is also worth considering cardboard, which has similar advantages to paper but is heavier and less likely to blow around the yard. beware the transfer of ink from the paper to light colored horses. Bedding material made from the chopped stems of hemp or flax offers an alternative to and paper. Wall- to- wall rubber carpet or tiles developed as a complete horse bed. Stall mats make for easy cleanup, create cushion, and cut down on the amount of bedding a stall requires. Peat moss is another useful bedding material. Studies show that peat is one of the most absorbent bedding material available, a real plus if you have respiratory issues from ammonia in your barn. Price Competitively priced to local market conditions for wood Cheaper but more is needed to bed stall making it expensive More expensive then straw especially through distributors in America expensive to purchase one time, should still be used with some bedding material Only available in certain areas generally expensive but goes a long way Absorbency More absorbent than the original wood and absorbs and reduces odors absorbent but can stick to mats and become sticky and lumpy More absorbent than and tends to absorbs and reduces odors None - without bedding urine will drain away from mat to floor, causing odors Very absorbent No dust and Low dust blends based on local conditions - free and non- palatable a good choice for allergy- suffering horses - free and non- palatable dust free, drains well Can be dusty in dry conditions Handling Baled in 1 wheelbarrow load for portion control None once laid out loose and can be messy Removal Easy to pick and handle manure clean up / out Prevents sharp edges from wood fibres Light and easy to muck out Easy to muck out and can be hosed down Don t need much covering, can pick out soiled areas and add small new amounts Hypo Allergenic Yes, the most hypo allergenic wood fibre bedding on the planet Yes Yes and Provides a and spores are extracted comparatively soft non- slip from quality hemp bedding to base, guarding against capped make it Hypo allergenic hocks, etc. Yes customers state peat moss is hypo allergenic. Availability Available in local regions where a Plant is operational Available where paper mills are present or specific distributors Region specific, fewer bedding companies offer Hemp/Flax bedding Available through regional distributors Generally Available in 2 or 3 cubic ft. like you buy at a garden centre Special Features Inhibitors added against mold, bacteria, pathogens, flies after stalled Produces a warm bed Does not clump in hooves, and can keep horses warmer In theory, no extra bedding costs, although some prefer to use a light layer of over the matting Soft bedding Waste Management Composting Reduced transportation for haulers and solves the waste management crisis Not ideal for spreading on fields after use to compost Rapidly breaks down to make good compost Mats do not break down or require removal Composts well Environmental Features The most environmentally conscious wood fibre bedding on the planet the paper is recycled and re used instead of one time newspaper use Break down better than wood products used as much / top soil in gardens uses rubber that could have been recycled and does not need to be thrown away A little goes a long way and horses wont eat it
Disadvantages Recycled wood fibre Shredded paper Hemp/flax Rubber matting Peat Moss Recycled wood This tends to be a mixture of newspaper, magazine and other unwanted printed matter. It is often considered to be a cheaper option, but a large number of bales may be needed to create a thick bed. It is also worth considering cardboard, which has similar advantages to paper but is heavier and less likely to blow around the yard. beware the transfer of ink from the paper to light colored horses. Bedding material made from the chopped stems of hemp or flax offers an alternative to and paper. Wall- to- wall rubber carpet or tiles developed as a complete horse bed. Stall mats make for easy cleanup, create cushion, and cut down on the amount of bedding a stall requires. Peat moss is another useful bedding material. Studies show that peat is one of the most absorbent bedding material available, a real plus if you have respiratory issues from ammonia in your barn. Cost cost of facility high, cost higher than bulk Can be costly and takes training how to bed on paper Bales are relatively expensive and the initial cost of bedding down are off- putting Considerable initial capital outlay is high to install Expensive and generally not economical for more than a few stalls Look & absorbency colour changes to a golden brown flake To start a bed it can take five bales, and then one or two bales a week for a horse that is stabled at night light weight and absorbent works best when mixed with Not aesthetically pleasing and have no absorbency Dark dirty looking is unappealing & smell proprietary blend smell is different to other Easily blown around, producing an untidy- looking yard Can be slippery Mats not covered or cleaned often will smell of ammonia and carry pathogens Very fine organic material and can be dusty at drier times or windy conditions Use, Storage & Disposal pick up of used bedding is required to be more frequent Disposal can be a problem, and cannot be spread on fields Bagged and need large storage areas Shipped one time A dry storage area is needed for bulk transport Quality Control N./A probably the most stringent quality control in the industry Can transpose ink onto light Coloured horses or they use bleaches to remove ink Can contain sharp edges or be splintery. stable needs good drainage if Due to dark colour Peat moss not bedding is used to absorb is harder to spot manure the urine Other ventilation Availability. Plant facilities built only where there is a large populous of horses and humans Although dust free, blend particles will help with respiratory issues, good ventilation is recommended Care has to be taken to ensure bed does not become soggy Manufacturers claim that long- term use make it competitively economical Can appear cold and is slow to dry in the winter Horses can end up looking dirty, and create a film over water buckets
Comparison Chart Recycled wood fibre Shredded paper Hemp/flax Rubber matting Peat Moss Recycled wood This tends to be a mixture of newspaper, magazine and other unwanted printed matter. It is often considered to be a cheaper option, but a large number of bales may be needed to create a thick bed. It is also worth considering cardboard, which has similar advantages to paper but is heavier and less likely to blow around the yard. beware the transfer of ink from the paper to light colored horses. Bedding material made from the chopped stems of hemp or flax offers an alternative to and paper. Wall- to- wall rubber carpet or tiles developed as a complete horse bed. Stall mats make for easy cleanup, create cushion, and cut down on the amount of bedding a stall requires. Peat moss is another useful bedding material. Studies show that peat is one of the most absorbent bedding material available, a real plus if you have respiratory issues from ammonia in your barn. Supplier Local community Paper mills and distributors Distributors Europe and Canada Manufacture Local suppliers Distance to supplier (generally) 0-50 miles 0-300 miles based on distributor location based on distributor location 0-300 miles Recycled bedding Yes (in multiple cycles) Yes (one time recycled use) No but is a bi- product and is a one time recyclable bedding Yes No Land Fill disposal N/A as recycled No No No No Average Moisture Content 7-10% 0% 0% 0% 15-30% Absorbency Higher than original fibre Mid - High High Low High Ammonia Odour Greatly reduced Traps odours unless left to clump Absorbs and reduces odours well High - left uncleaned run off can trap around mat Reduces odour well Low to no dust based on local bedding recycled no dust can be completely dust free, although seed breakdown can cause fine dust no dust high dust Fly inhibitors Yes the only wood fibre bedding to introduce inhibitors to mold, pathogens and flies Excellent Horse Health by introducing inhibitors to bacteria, mold, pathogens and flies in a dust free environment lower fly zone than sawdust/ lower fly zone than sawdust/ Horse Health inhibitors Good horse health due to hypo- allergenic properties Good horse health due to hypo- allergenic properties Low horse health due to urine and its non absorbent properties Good horse health This material was prepared by GSA based on its own research, internet research and industry meetings and publications. The information is for reference only. references: equisearch. Horse and hound. The horse. Greenscene Agritek. Countrywide farmers. Wikipedia This is to be treated as a generalization of bedding as there are multiple suppliers of varying qualities - not all bedding is created equal Some suppliers may offer a better quality product, and some a worse quality product than is depicted in this chart The ultimate health of the horse is the responsibility of the horse operator as bedding is only one factor. all rights reserved greenscene agritek inc. 2015