Does your horse prefer memory foam or traditionally springs? Just kidding! Today we are going to take a look at actual horse bedding and how to decide which suites your horse best. There are so many bedding types out on the market, but it comes down to your budget and your personally preference. If you horse has a box stall, bedding can be an important factor. Having bedding provides a place for the horse to lie down and it also helps in absorbing urine. You don't have to have bedding, but it can be beneficial especially with our big Colorado Blizzard we just experienced. Having that extra source will help your horse stay warm and be able to rest when the weather outside is yucky. 

The 4 most common types of bedding are wood shavings, wood pellets, straw, and sawdust. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. It all depends on what you are looking for. It is important to only use bedding designated for horses. There are so many options out there, but some may be harmful to them. For example, Black Walnut Shavings are used for other animals, but are harmful to horses. 

Wood Shavings 

Pros: Wood shavings are one of the most popular choices among horse owners, including myself. They are very soft and absorbent to help keep the stalls dry. They are easy to spread and easy to store in their bags as well. They are great to travel with and the good thing is, you can find them just about anywhere. When traveling for rodeos, my gelding loves to relax in a fresh bed of shavings and it provides a nice cushion on top of the mats. 

Cons: Depending on your location, wood shavings can be really expensive. Another thing to watch for is they can be pretty dusty, which is not good for your horse. It can make it difficult to clean up the stall as well because the manure gets mixed in. At one point, you will have to strip the stall and reapply more shavings. It can be quite messy as well. My gelding tends to only go to the bathroom in his stall so his gets really bad really fast. It is hard to sift through the shavings and get all the manure picked up without taking out majority of the shavings. You also have to be careful to make sure your horse isn't eating it our ingesting it, especially on trailer rides. 

Wood Pellets 

Pros: Wood pellets are a lot less dry and dusty than regular wood shavings. Sometimes they can even be more absorbent than shavings. They are super sanitary and many vets will recommend this type of bedding. When being made, they are heated to the point where no bugs or germs can linger on it. Wood pellets can be a little easier to clean and you don't have to disturb the bed as much to remove manure. These can also be a little cheaper if you buy in bulk.

Cons: When wet or walked on, wood pellets often dissolve into a sawdust type material. Also, to get that discounted rate you have to buy in bulk. This can become a problem with storage. They aren't as easy to maneuver. They also don't provide that soft, fluffy bed perspective and they vary depending on your supplier. Not all pellets are created equal and they may be different from the last batch you purchased. 

Straw

Pros: Straw is cheap and a great option for mares foaling or a horse with injuries. It is warm and allows liquids to drain away. It has been a solid option for many years. It will also probably be the most cheapest option you can find. 

Cons: Although it has been used for many years, it has been proven that straw has caused numerous respiratory issues in many horses. It is very dusty and can be harmful. There have been studies that have showed horses developing a respiratory disease from having straw as their bedding. While it may be cheap, it could potentially cause issues for your horse. It is not as absorbent as the other options and it tends to attract tons of flies. 

Sawdust

Pros: Sawdust is known for being cheap and absorbent. There are not a ton of pros to this option that I could find and it tends to be a little on the risky side. 

Cons: Sawdust is messy and can be harmful. It tends to collect in the horse's eyes and it is not safe for horses with breathing problems. Black walnut shavings or sawdust can give your horse laminitis very quickly. Some horses have also had reactions to the bedding like fevers and colic-like signs. Any bedding or shavings that contain under 20% black walnut can cause laminitis.

 At the end of the day, it is just important to find an option that works for you and your horse. The cheaper way may not always be the safest way so just do your research and don't be afraid to consult a vet. Your local feed store can make recommendations on bedding as well! Many horses do just fine without bedding, but it never hurts to try new things. It can be overwhelming, but at least you don't have to haul your pony into mattress firm! 

(picture credit: https://www.quarterhorsenews.com/2019/05/stall-bedding-matters/)