Shavings and Sawdust Shavings, the fragrant staple of many barns, are readily available, smell great, and have a light, warm color that brightens the barn interior. Manure and urine spots are easy to see, and no special equipment is required to clean the stall. Shavings can vary in quality, from large, fluffy shavings to finer, smaller shavings that are almost like sawdust. Their ability to absorb can also be variable; kiln-dried bagged shavings are drier and absorb better than heavier, chip-like shavings. Shavings have become more expensive with the downturn in the construction industry, but that should improve when the supply becomes more plentiful. Shavings are available in paper or plastic bags for easy storage.
Sawdust is inexpensive and readily available, especially in areas with a large lumber industry. If purchasing the sawdust in bulk, you will need a suitable, covered storage place to keep the material dry, out of the wind, and free of mold. Also consider the additional time and labor involved in putting sawdust into your storage and moving it to your stalls.
Dust is an issue with shavings and even more so with sawdust, especially when these materials are purchased in bulk. Pine and fir create the least dust.
Cedar is another poor choice for horses, as the aromatic oils can be irritating to skin, and some horses are allergic to cedar. Check with your supplier to make sure your shavings do not contain cedar, black walnut or other toxins.
Wood Pellets Pellets made of kiln-dried wood and sawdust are a relatively new bedding option. The pellets expand into sawdust when they get broken down by the horse’s hooves and exposed to moisture. Pellets absorb a lot of moisture and are purported to be less dusty than shavings or sawdust. However, this may depend on climate and usage, as well as the product brand. In stalls that are seldom used, or in cold climates where the air is very dry or pellets cannot be misted without freezing, dust may still be an issue. On the plus side, pellets are available in bags that are about a third the size of a shavings bag, so storage is easy.
Stalls bedded with wood pellets are cleaned differently than stalls bedded with traditional materials. The manure and sopping wet portions are picked out. The damp portions are mixed with the remaining dry bedding until everything is homogeneous. New bedding is added as needed. The new pellets can be sprayed with water to fluff them up, or simply mixed in with the old bedding and left to absorb moisture on their own.
Because so little bedding is removed during cleaning, the manure pile accumulates less rapidly than with shavings. Some brands of pellets contain products to help absorb ammonia and release nitrogen back into the soil during composting. Pellets are compost-friendly because the small amount of wood products they contain break down quickly and create a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio that favors release of nutrients from the manure into the soil.
However, the general availability of pellets varies with manufacturing and distribution. This can affect the price, depending on shipping distance to you. Another caution: Avoid wood pellets that are used in stoves as they can contain toxins or chemicals. Always use a brand specifically made for horse bedding.
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