Choosing the right type of bedding and its usage characteristics are significant factors in everyday life at horse stables, as they affect the well-being of the horses, the cleanliness of the premises, and the handling of manure.
In Finland, peat has traditionally been the most popular bedding material for decades, but its position may be in jeopardy in the future due to environmental regulations and availability issues. At the same time, newer alternatives , such as straw pellets and hemp , are slowly gaining popularity.
Based on a survey conducted in 2018, the use of bedding in Finnish stables was distributed as follows:
- Peat: 52%
- Wood shavings: 19%
- Sawdust: 10%
- Straw: 6%
- Wood pellets: 6%
- Straw pellets: 4%
- Other litter: 3%
Although peat still dominates the market, its share may already be declining. Straw pellets and other more ecological alternatives have attracted interest, especially from stables that want to invest in usability and sustainability.
