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  Discussion on Depth of sawdust bedding
Author Message
Member:
Nonie

Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 2004 - 7:02 am:

My horse is stabled at a small private farm. The floor of her stall is rubber mats, under which the ground is somewhat uneven. The barn owner uses a lovely sawdust for bedding (used in mink production, so there is virtually no dust). She prefers only a thin layer of bedding, as she finds this easier to clean. It is about an inch to two inches deep now. Dr. O, do you think this is sufficient? I will show her your response.
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 2004 - 10:24 am:

I've also known barns that if they have rubber mats, only put a very thin layer of bedding on top. I can't imagine the mats are comfortable or warm. I like my horses to have at least three or more inches of bedding on top of the mats.
Member:
Dres

Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 2004 - 10:47 am:

Bedding can be VERY expensive!~ unless you pay directly for it, you might not understand the costs.. example.. in the winter, when i do bed deeper, it costs me $5.50 - $6.00 a day per stall, that is just adding shavings to a stall all ready bedded.. add that up to a full barn and you see the costs add up...

in the summer when my horses only come in during the day, i put bedding only in their pee spots.. this saves hugely.. and all pee in only one spot.. ( the soft spot) in the winter when they have to be inside all night, i will bed with more, put ONLY a thin layer over the whole stall mated floor.. . the horses don't get 'bed' sores and are very comfortable.. remember 1/2 of what we do is for OUR comfort, not necessarily their comfort...

enjoy Ann
Member:
Jerre

Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 2004 - 11:27 am:

I've seen all options, from none -- where horses have continual access to a run. The reasoning is that they won't pee on the bare mats, but will come in to eat and get out of the sun and flies.

Another barn beds 4-6 inches deep and it's completely bright and fresh every day -- no spots of "this can go another day" sawdust. Those horses are in about 18 hours a day.

I bed 1-4 inches with shavings (not sawdust), gradually taking out and then adding a bag. It's about 1 bag every 2 days for a 12x16 stall that's always open to a 40x40 paddock. And my horses use ONLY the stall for the bathroom. One corner is a manure mountain in the morning (2 horses share).

I see that they always choose the deepest shavings to lie down in, and I know my mare really, really, REALLY would love me more if I bedded deeper. I just can't afford it.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 2004 - 3:48 pm:

We have rubber mats in our barn. In the winter when the horses are shut in more I use shavings about 5 inches deep, replacing the wet with dry each day. I also mix stove wood pellets in with the shavings, as they are very good at absorbing urine and help keep the shavings fresher. I also use odor control kitty litter on urine spots when I clean.

In the summer, unless a horse is injured or ill, I use either just the wood pellets or a very thin layer of shavings covering the places they like to use. My horses go in and out whenever the weather is good.

Shavings here are very expensive if you buy them locally, running over $6/bag and it takes at least 3 bags to cover a 12' x 14' stall with a couple of inches of shavings. I drive 3 hrs. one way over the mtns. to a lumber mill and buy shavings there for $3.75/bag. But, it also costs a day of my time plus the costs of running the truck and trailer.

As long as the horse is not getting sores from lying down or aren't sick or arthritic, I'd think they'd been fine on just the mats, actually. Ever tried lying out in the fields? They aren't usually very soft. Not that they don't like soft....they just don't need it.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 - 7:02 am:

Zoe a lot depends on how long the horse is up and what his habits are like but a Sara alludes to above if there are no health problems associated with the flooring/bedding and the stall is clean and dry this is fine. If you would like to have more to reach the comfort level you would like offer to pay her extra and occasionally do the cleaning.
DrO
Member:
Nonie

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 - 7:45 am:

Thanks, all and Dr. O. This makes me feel better. :-)

Zoe
Member:
Sparky

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 - 4:26 pm:

Zoe - I was told that bedding a horse too deep does not allow the foot to function properly if the horse is bedded for long periods of time - what is your opinion on this Dr O? I guess this would really only apply to the bare foot horse?
Janet
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 2004 - 9:25 pm:

I can picture a ground so soft that stress is placed on the flexor tendons because the heels sink in, hyperextending the foot. Shoes will not make a difference. I am unsure about the idea that it might result in "foot dysfunction" in the barefoot horse.
DrO
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