TYPES OF BEDDING
I will not comment on price as it is so variable from month to month and in different countries a variety of issues cause different pricing, so you will have to check the cost in your local area.
STRAW
You can get wheat, barley and oat straw.
Straw is relatively non absorbent so will need drainage.
It is a soft and warm bedding.
Some horses eat it and it can cause colic as it is fairly indigestible so causes blockages. Saying this, I have used all types of straw, with all types of horses, many preferring to eat the bed to their hay with no issues (this definitely means one will have colic from the bedding tonight – nothing like tempting fate!).
It is one of the easiest beddings to dispose of as it rots well and makes good manure for the gardeners and farmers.
It must be dry, relatively dust free and contain no mould.
SHAVINGS AND WOOD PELLETS
This is dust free, so good for horses with respiratory issues.
It is non palatable so good if your horse eats straw, is on a diet or ill.
It is absorbent so it does not need drainage.
It can be difficult to get rid of as gardeners and farmers are less likely to take it.
This must be clean dust free, contain no debris (lumps of wood etc) and be mould free.
PAPER
Dust free so it is excellent for horses who have respiratory issues.
Non digestible so good for those that eat straw or are on a diet.
Absorbent so it does not need drainage.
Hard to dispose of as farmers and gardeners are reluctant to take it.
You need a fairly thick bed as when it is wet it shrinks down.
This is not suitable for windy areas. If you have used this you will know, you may have a lovely stable, but if there is a wind you will spend the majority of your day cleaning the yard from all the paper blown about.
You will have to be sure that it is suitable for animals and there is no risk of toxins on the paper.
RUBBER MATS
MY OPINION SO YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN DECISION FOR YOUR HORSE
One of the most popular beddings because it is cheap and very labour saving but the one I dislike the most. This is because it puts saving money and time over the horse’s comfort.
Horses do not like to lie on hard ground, even if they do have a mat down. In the field, they rake the ground before rolling or lying down, or they pick the softest area they can find (very often the hay if they are like mine).
Horses also do not like lying in their mess (although many grey horse owners will swear the opposite). With mats, as there is little bedding, they have no choice but to lie directly on their mess and urine. Very often you can smell a yard that has a matting bed system.
I have had many horses come to me with the owner explaining the horse’s legs are swollen in the morning at their previous yard where, it mostly turns out, they were on matting bedding or thin beds. They are then very surprised that this is cured within a week because they have a nice soft bed that the horse likes lying on.
As you can tell, I dislike this bedding system as I am a firm believer that, if you cannot keep your horse as happy and healthy as you can, you should not have it.
It is expensive to start with, as the thick mats are expensive to buy, but cheap from then on as you need less bedding.
This system is very easy to use as there is not much bedding so it is very easy to clean out.
It is non absorbent so you do need drainage, this can be sorted with putting more bedding on, but this then stops any advantage of the mats.
The mats should be lifted and washed with disinfectant underneath every week. This is a difficult and very labour intensive job.
The waste is very easy to dispose of, as gardeners and farmers are often pleased to take it as it is almost pure manure.
Final Thoughts
There are many types of bedding. I have covered a few, but you must investigate the pros and cons of any bedding (horse forums are great for this) and make the choice that is best for the horse, your practical arrangements and your finances.
The health and comfort of your horse should always come first though.