10 Tips for Choosing the Right Horse Bedding

There are many choices for one to make in horse bedding in GA. Making the right choice can save money, time and energy and keep your horse safe and healthy.

Here are 10 tips for choosing the right bedding for your horse.

1. Choose the right material. Your horse’s bedding must be able to absorb moisture, resist mold and fungi growth, and be easy to clean. The top choice in material for bedding is wood, and pine is the best choice within the woods. Other woods can either be poisonous (Black Walnut and Maple), or cause sensitivities. Pine is the least likely of the woods to create sensitivities, and is not toxic to horses, hence, pine bedding is the way to go.

2. Choose for your climate and season. Bedding needs vary according to climate and season. In rainy and snowy climates, it is extra important to choose a bedding that absorbs moisture and resists mold and mildew. Additionally, choose bedding that doesn’t contain high levels of dust, which can be more of a problem in the cold weather when doors and windows are closed.

3. Choose the right cushioning. A good bedding will provide an optimal level of cushioning for your horse. A good cushion protects your horse from a cold floor, and provides padding of hard surfaces. This helps prevent bruised hips, knees, elbows and hocks and helps your horse stay warm and comfortable.

4. Choose low allergen bedding. Bedding should be as allergen-free as possible to avoid health issues for you and your horse. Hay and straw are extremely likely to develop dust mites, mold and fungi. Even in small amounts, these allergens can create respiratory illnesses that can worsen as a horse ages.

5. Choose proper absorbency. Your horse’s bedding should absorb moisture readily, but not be too hard to handle when it is wet. This balance is best accomplished by choosing a wood-based bedding. Bedding such as hay or straw become very heavy and difficult to handle when wet.

6. Choose bedding that is sturdy and long-lasting. Your bedding choice should be able to stand up to use and traffic. Bedding that breaks down quickly means more time spent replacing the bedding and increases your bedding costs.

7. Choose bedding than can remain dry. Proper bedding can absorb moisture but still remain dry. Bedding that becomes too moist after absorbing urine and water is susceptible to mold and fungi and creates more problems than it solves.

8. Choose bedding that is easy to clean. Bedding that is difficult to pick or rake may cause you to resist cleaning the stall or paddock. Even if you are diligent about your cleaning, bedding that sticks to the rake or is too fine or thick may prevent you from doing an optimal cleaning job.

9. Choose bedding that is easy to obtain. Make it easy on yourself and choose bedding that can be delivered right to your barn. There are so many things that can interfere with your intentions to drive to the store and buy bedding. By having a scheduled delivery of your bedding, you can relax and know you will have materials on hand to keep your stall and barn clean.

10. Choose horse bedding that is good for the environment. Bulk bedding that can be easily composted is a great way to reduce environmental impact. Source your bedding from a local supplier to reduce transport costs. Bulk bedding doesn’t require packaging, so you are not adding to your disposal costs and not filling the landfill with plastics that never rot.