Bedding in comparison

For many stable owners, the choice of bedding is primarily influenced by cost, followed by opinion and usage habits. The availability of different bedding types can be limited at times and manure disposal can present its own challenges. Bedding consumption increases if there are many horses, there is limited barn space or barn hours are short. Naturally, more bedding is consumed in the winter than in the summer, when horses spend time on pasture.

The bedding in horse stables and animal shelters has a surprisingly large impact on the well-being of horses, the cleanliness of the stable, and overall costs.

Factors affecting consumption and costs

All bedding materials, such as peat, cutter, straw pellets, straw pellet grit, hemp and peat cutter mix, have their own characteristics. These usage characteristics affect consumption, costs and waste bedding quantities.

Absorbent materials, such as peat and hemp, absorb large amounts of moisture, but they usually require more initial consumption per square meter. An acidic pH in the material (peat, peat shavings mixture) helps bind ammonia, but can increase corrosion in the metal parts of the pens in the long term and affect air quality through dust.

The carbon footprint of bedding varies considerably depending on the origin of the material and the production process. Carbon footprint assessment covers several stages, such as raw material procurement, manufacturing, transportation and disposal. These factors highlight the differences between different bedding materials.

The most ecological litters are sustainably produced and biodegradable in terms of both manufacturing and disposal.

Straw pellets, a by-product of grain production, are a prime example. They are widely available, renewable, and compost quickly. Similarly, wood pellets, made from by-products of wood production, support sustainable forest management and reduce waste.

Litter consumption and properties

The amount of litter consumed can be controlled through stable routines. Longer outdoor time for horses reduces the use of litter in the pens, and careful cleaning saves usable litter. Every horse is an individual, so they need their own type of litter.

In addition, the properties of the bedding used in a yard and an indoor stable differ, as their purpose and environmental conditions are different. In a yard, bedding requires durability, thermal insulation and good absorbency, as horses are exposed to changing weather conditions. Thermal insulation is especially important so that the cold ground does not disturb the horses' resting areas.

In indoor stables, bedding should be absorbent and easy to clean. Dust-free conditions are essential to protect the horses' respiratory health, and easy cleaning makes it easier to manage the daily routine of the stable.

Choosing the right bedding depends on the needs of the horses, the conditions in the stable and the budget available. Careful comparison and testing will help you find the best solution for both horse welfare and cost-effectiveness.

Comparison table

Below is a comparison table between different bedding materials and their properties. Straw pellets and hemp stand out as very dry and low-dust alternatives with high absorbency and low waste. Straw pellets are also economical to use, as their consumption is low.

Peat and peat moss offer very high absorption capacity, but they are wetter materials and have a significantly acidic pH, which can be good for ammonia binding. On the other hand, these materials produce more waste if they are not in so-called mattress form.

Cutter shavings, on the other hand, are dry and dust-free, but their use requires slightly more consumption than others. Furthermore, their disposal can be challenging due to their wood-based nature.

The price comparison below has been calculated using the current kilo/liter price of Biohansa's products using the formula volume = 9 m2×0.15 m = 1.35 m3, i.e. setting up a new pen of 9 square meters with a 15 cm bedding layer.

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