bedding choices
If you have to manage a horse or pony with a long- term health issues, you will know how important bedding can be in supporting recovery, facilitating long term management and overall wellbeing and that dependent on the nature of the problem, choosing the right type of bedding will make all the difference.
Hoof health No foot no horse is just as important a consideration in the stable environment, as wet bedding can cause or exacerbate conditions like thrush and will soften and weaken the hoof leading to one of a number of problems, including cracks. This is because wet bedding contains ammonia, which damages not only the horn of the hoof, but also has respiratory and hygiene implications. It can irritate eyes, airways and attract insects. If your mucking out regime is less than thorough, choosing a free-draining bedding that stays dry on top and absorbs wet at the base of the bed is a sensible option. This type of bedding will improve any stable environment and must be more pleasant for a horse to lie on - with less smelly rugs
as a bonus! If possible, improving drainage out of the base of the stable will also help, as if some of the wet can drain away altogether, then it won’t be held in the bedding and you could even save on bedding costs as a result. Action: Assess your horse’s bed and if the surface is damp, or worse, wet, think about a different bedding product and improve your mucking out regime and/or drainage.
RAO (formerly known as COPD) Recurrent Airway Obstruction is a long term condition which can be quite debilitating for your horse and always requires careful management alongside veterinary support. This makes choosing a bedding product with minimal dust content important. This is because the horse’s ability to breathe freely is vital to performance, even at a low level. Dust in the stable environment will invariably worsen already excessive mucus production and inflammation in the respiratory system as the horse’s body tries to remove the dust from his lungs. Remember however that a dust free bedding alone will
Rubber matting can save time if well managed
not be enough. Dust free forage and a clean stable environment are also essential. Feeding off the floor will encourage drainage from the lungs and turnout time in the fresh air will also have a very positive impact on the health - and wellbeing - of horses with this condition. Action: Check your chosen bedding is a low dust product and that your forage is of good quality.
Relaxed and at ease in his surroundings on a comfortable, clean bed
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Injuries For horses and ponies spending more time stabled during the winter, or on box rest following injuries or conditions like laminitis, bedding that provides good support is vital to ensure feet and legs are kept comfortable. Choose a product that forms a ‘dense’ bed and doesn’t ‘move’ when your horse does, especially when he lies down and gets up. It’s also important to bed the whole box, so don’t skimp on bedding and skip out as regularly as you can during the day to keep the bed clean. It’s also important to remove rugs more than once during the day as a horse lying down frequently can easily end up with bedding up under his rug, which will be itchy and uncomfortable for him. He’ll also appreciate the attention and the ‘tlc’ of a pleasant grooming session. Action: You may need to change your bedding if your horse has to be stabled for longer periods. He needs support for his feet and legs to help avoid secondary problems like capped hocks and elbows and filled legs.
Money Given that it’s a regular purchase, bedding is a significant cost in any horseowner’s budget and the best way to save money is to think about ‘how much each week’, not ‘how much per bale’. Depending on your management and your horse’s habits in the stable, products that cost more per bale can actually work out cheaper per week. Remember that you get what you pay for and don’t forget the muck heap; a smaller muck heap that rots down quickly will be less expensive to manage. Finally, think about storage, as often a larger purchase will work out cheaper, so if bales can be stored outside, then you could save even more. Action: Do the sums, you may surprise yourself!
Mucking out Time is always at a premium, even more so in the darker, colder months and none of us like frozen fingers! Hence bedding that is quick and easy to work with can make a big difference. If wet patches are easy to find and remove, droppings aren’t all mixed in and the bedding doesn’t stick to rugs, manes and tails, life will be much simpler and there will be less wasted bedding. It’s more difficult to do anything about the horse that digs his bed up to roll, but at least if his bedding is clean and dry, then it will be easier to sort out each morning and your rugs will stay cleaner too. Action: Keep beds clean always; it saves time, money and your horse’s health and wellbeing will be better.
Equine Page 25
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