Stable Bedding Materials Compared

Choosing stable bedding is not simply a matter of price or personal preference. Bedding affects whether a horse can lie down comfortably, the concentration of airborne dust and ammonia, the time required for mucking out, the volume and handling characteristics of waste, and the environmental burden associated with manufacture, transport and disposal. It also interacts with ventilation, stable flooring, turnout, feeding practice, workload and the individual horse.

No material performs best in every stable. A bedding that is economical and highly absorbent may be less suitable where respiratory dust is the principal concern; a soft, low-dust product may be difficult to source or expensive to dispose of. The most defensible choice is therefore a management decision based on the horse, the building and the whole bedding system rather than a claim that one material is universally superior.

What good bedding has to do

In Great Britain, the welfare expectation is that horses have adequate, suitable bedding that provides warmth and protection from injury and enables them to lie down comfortably. The British Government code of practice for the welfare of horses also makes clear that bedding, whatever its type, must be well managed and cleaned or changed regularly.

In practical terms, a bedding system should:

• provide a stable, reasonably deep and comfortable lying surface;
• absorb or contain urine sufficiently to keep the horse and floor reasonably dry;
• reduce contact with faeces, wet patches and contaminated surfaces;
• avoid excessive dust, mould, sharp fragments and contaminating residues;
• remain manageable during daily removal of droppings and wet material;
• work with the stable floor, mats, drainage and ventilation; and
• produce waste that can be lawfully stored, composted, spread or removed.

These requirements can conflict. A highly absorbent material can hold urine effectively but may become heavy and difficult to remove. A very loose material may be comfortable but readily kicked into corridors or contaminated more quickly. A dense pellet can be economical in storage but requires correct preparation to form a suitable bed.

How bedding performance should be assessed

Absorbency is not the same as stable performance

Manufacturers may report water-holding capacity, but laboratory absorption is not identical to performance in a working stable. Urine is warm and chemically complex, horses distribute it unevenly, and the bedding is compressed by hooves and disturbed during lying and rising. The amount used also depends on whether wet patches are removed daily, whether the horse is turned out, and whether mats are fitted.

A useful assessment considers both the material’s capacity and its behaviour after wetting. Does it form a removable wet core or spread moisture through the bed? Does it remain friable or become slippery? Does it retain odour? Does it cling to the horse’s coat, feathers or rugs? Does it remain usable after several days of partial cleaning?

Dust, particles and stable air

Dust is a material and management issue. Fine particles may be present in the product when it arrives, generated while bags are emptied, or released when old bedding is disturbed. Used bedding can also contain mould fragments, microbial material and endotoxins. A horse’s exposure depends on the bedding, the way it is handled, ventilation, door and window management, the timing of mucking out and whether the horse is present during cleaning.

Research has found that bedding materials differ in the quantities of inhalable and respirable particles, ammonia and microbial material they contribute to the stable environment. However, bedding is only one part of air hygiene. Poor ventilation, damp walls, dusty forage and sweeping while horses are inside can outweigh a change from one bedding type to another.

For horses with known or suspected respiratory problems, bedding selection should be discussed with the attending veterinary surgeon. This article does not diagnose or treat respiratory disease. As a general management principle, dust-extracted products, good ventilation and low-dust forage handling are preferable to relying on bedding alone.

Ammonia and moisture

Ammonia forms when urine-derived nitrogen is converted by microbial activity. Concentrations increase when urine remains in warm, damp, poorly ventilated bedding. A material may bind or retain urine effectively, but no bedding can compensate indefinitely for a wet bed or inadequate air exchange.

Published studies have produced different rankings because materials, quantities, stable designs and cleaning regimes differ. One study comparing straw, wood shavings, hemp, flax, straw pellets and paper found that ammonia generation varied substantially between materials, with straw pellets performing well under the test conditions. Another study comparing peat and wood shavings reported lower ammonia and fewer respiratory symptoms during the peat phase. These findings are useful but should not be treated as universal stable-level guarantees.

Comfort and lying behaviour

Horses need an adequately sized, comfortable lying area, not merely a visually tidy floor. Research on bedding and lying behaviour suggests that horses may show preferences for certain materials, with straw often preferred to shavings or paper in preference studies. Depth, softness, dryness and the horse’s previous experience are likely to influence the result.

A bed that is technically absorbent but thin, compacted or wet is not a satisfactory bed. Conversely, an unnecessarily deep bed can increase cost and waste without improving comfort if the horse does not use the additional area. Observe the horse: clean, dry hocks and elbows, normal lying behaviour and a stable that remains comfortable after daily cleaning are more useful indicators than a product label alone.

Straw

Wheat straw remains a traditional and often economical bedding material in Britain. Barley and oat straw are also used, although their characteristics vary with crop, harvest and processing. Straw is relatively bulky, forms a springy bed and is readily recognised by horses as a natural plant material. It is often suitable for horses that make substantial use of the bed and may support normal foraging behaviour when some clean straw remains available.

Strengths

• Usually widely available in rural areas and can be cost-effective where local supply is reliable.
• Provides good volume and a visually substantial bed.
• Can be comfortable for lying, particularly when clean and adequately deep.
• Plant-based waste is generally compatible with conventional composting systems, subject to local rules and contamination.
• Large bales can reduce packaging compared with small bagged products.

Limitations

• Quality varies considerably. Damp, weathered or mouldy straw should not be accepted as bedding.
• It can contain more coarse particles and fines than some dust-extracted alternatives.
• It is bulky to store and can be labour-intensive to remove.
• Some horses eat substantial quantities, which may be inappropriate for individual feeding plans.
• It can be less suitable for horses that are sensitive to dust, mould or straw-associated contaminants.

Good straw should be dry, reasonably bright, free from a musty smell and not visibly contaminated with soil, weeds, twine or sharp foreign material. A bale that heats, feels damp or produces a cloud of fine dust when handled is a poor bedding choice regardless of its nominal price.

Wood shavings and sawdust

Wood shavings are among the most widely used modern beddings. They are usually made from softwood, although the source and particle size vary. Shavings are relatively easy to muck out selectively: droppings can be removed while clean material is retained, and wet patches can often be lifted as cohesive areas.

Strengths

• Often easy to form into a deep, even bed.
• Generally comfortable and suitable for horses that do not eat the material.
• Available in dust-extracted grades and different particle sizes.
• Can be efficient under a controlled deep-litter or partial-muck-out system.

Limitations

• Fine material can be dusty, especially when bags are tipped, disturbed or stored poorly.
• Very small particles may be more difficult to separate from manure and may become compacted.
• Quality control is essential: treated, painted, contaminated or unsuitable wood must not be used.
• Supply, packaging and disposal costs can be significant.

In England, Environment Agency guidance identifies untreated wood shavings, woodchip and sawdust as materials that may be used for animal bedding in specified circumstances. Its guidance on potential by-products specifically stresses that wood used for bedding must be untreated and free from preservatives and other treatments. Buyers should obtain clear information about the wood source and avoid vague descriptions such as “recycled wood” unless the supplier can demonstrate that the material is appropriate for animal bedding.

Wood shavings should not be confused with workshop waste, demolition timber or mixed recycled wood. Painted, varnished, pressure-treated, glued or contaminated wood can introduce hazards and may also create problems when the used bedding is composted or spread.

Wood pellets

Wood pellets are compressed, relatively dense cylinders manufactured from finely milled wood. Bedding pellets are normally wetted before use so that they break down into a softer, absorbent material. They are not interchangeable with heating pellets unless the product is specifically suitable for animal bedding and its composition is known.

Strengths

• Compact to transport and store before use.
• Often produces relatively little loose material during storage.
• Can absorb substantial quantities of liquid after correct preparation.
• May be economical for wet horses or stables where selective removal is effective.
• Can provide a firm, stable base when combined with a suitable top layer.

Limitations

• Incorrect wetting can leave a hard or uncomfortable surface.
• Pellets can be slippery or uneven if the bed is too thin or poorly maintained.
• Some products generate fines as they break down.
• They require careful checking of wood source, additives and intended use.

Pellets are best judged after preparation rather than directly from the bag. The finished material should be soft enough to permit comfortable lying, sufficiently deep to protect the horse from the floor, and maintained so that wet material does not spread throughout the stable.

Paper and cardboard bedding

Paper bedding is available as shredded paper, chopped paper, cardboard flakes or processed paper fibre. It is often selected where low dust is a priority, although products differ substantially. Clean, purpose-made bedding should not be equated with loose office waste or mixed shredded material of uncertain origin.

Strengths

• Can be low in airborne dust when manufactured and handled correctly.
• Soft and relatively warm when used at adequate depth.
• Often useful for horses that do poorly on dusty straw or shavings.
• Can be highly absorbent, particularly in processed or pelletised forms.

Limitations

• Lightweight material can be moved around the stable or blown by ventilation.
• Used paper may become heavy, compacted and difficult to handle when saturated.
• Printing inks, coatings, staples, plastics and unsuitable contaminants are unacceptable.
• Availability and cost may fluctuate, and recycling or disposal routes may be restricted once contaminated with manure.

Research comparing pelleted newspaper, wheat straw and wood shavings found that material type and season affected bedding use, water retention, ammonia and airborne particles. The study also illustrates why a product cannot be assessed on absorbency alone: the stable environment changes as bedding ages, ventilation changes and the bed becomes contaminated.

Hemp, flax and other plant-fibre bedding

Hemp and flax bedding is generally made from the woody inner core or shive of the plant stem. These materials are marketed on low-dust, absorbency and compostability characteristics, but actual performance depends on harvesting, drying, screening and packaging.

Flax shive has been compared with pine shavings in experimental work examining water absorption, manure characteristics and gaseous emissions. The results support the view that plant-fibre bedding can be a credible alternative, but they do not establish that every flax or hemp product will outperform every wood-shaving product.

Potential advantages

• Often soft and relatively easy to separate during mucking out.
• Can have good moisture-holding characteristics.
• May be supplied in low-dust, screened grades.
• Plant-fibre waste can be suitable for composting where local facilities accept it.

Potential disadvantages

• Usually more expensive than locally sourced straw.
• Supply chains may be longer and more vulnerable to seasonal price changes.
• Particle size and fines content vary between suppliers.
• Some horses or handlers may dislike the smell or texture, although this is an individual response.

Peat

Peat has historically been valued for its dark colour, moisture retention and ability to bind odours. Some studies have reported favourable ammonia and respiratory-air results compared with wood shavings. Those findings should be interpreted alongside the environmental implications of peat extraction.

Peatlands are important carbon stores and ecosystems. The environmental case for peat bedding is therefore not determined solely by stable performance. Availability, extraction method, restoration policy, transport and end-of-life use all matter. A product that performs well in the stable may still be a poor choice from a wider environmental perspective if its extraction damages sensitive peatland.

For many yards, peat is best regarded as a specialist or locally available option rather than an automatically sustainable alternative. Do not assume that dark colour proves superior ammonia control, and do not assume that a claimed “natural” material has a low environmental impact.

Rubber mats, bare floors and combined systems

Rubber mats are not bedding in themselves, but they are part of many bedding systems. Mats can improve insulation, reduce the amount of loose bedding required and make the floor easier to clean. They do not remove the need for a comfortable, absorbent lying surface. A horse kept on a bare mat or a thin scattering of bedding may have inadequate cushioning and insufficient separation from urine.

Correct installation matters. Mats should be stable, close-fitting and compatible with the underlying floor and drainage. Gaps can trap urine and bedding, while poorly sealed edges may create trip hazards or allow liquid to migrate below the mat. A common system is a substantial bed over mats, with the bedding selected for its ability to form a dry lying area and the mats used primarily as a resilient base.

Quality indicators when buying bedding

Ask the supplier specific questions rather than relying on broad marketing terms:

• What is the exact raw material?
• Is it untreated and intended for animal bedding?
• How is dust removed or controlled?
• What contaminants are screened out?
• Is the material dry at delivery, and how is moisture controlled in storage?
• Does the product contain additives, binders, deodorants or oils?
• What batch or quality-control information is available?
• How should it be prepared, stored and disposed of?

On delivery, inspect more than one bag or bale. Look for dampness, mould, insects, foreign objects, excessive fines, sharp fragments and a chemical or musty odour. A clean product can become poor bedding if it is stored directly on a damp floor, exposed to rain, or kept where condensation forms.

Cost: compare the system, not the bag

Unit price is a weak comparison because materials have different densities, moisture contents, bale sizes and replacement rates. A realistic calculation should include:

• purchase price per usable cubic metre or prepared bed;
• delivery and storage requirements;
• initial bed quantity;
• daily top-up quantity;
• labour time for mucking out;
• volume and weight of waste removed;
• disposal, composting or spreading costs; and
• any change in mat, drainage or ventilation requirements.

A more expensive bedding may be economical if it substantially reduces waste or labour. Conversely, a highly absorbent product may cost more overall if it is used excessively, spread across the whole stable during cleaning or removed before it is contaminated.

Waste, composting and environmental responsibility

Used bedding is not automatically harmless simply because it is biodegradable. In England, GOV.UK guidance states that contaminated bedding is solid waste and must be handled through lawful routes. Horse manure may be used as a soil fertiliser only when the relevant conditions are met; storage and spreading must not create pollution risks, particularly near watercourses, drains, springs or boreholes.

Local rules differ across Great Britain, so businesses should check the requirements of the relevant environmental regulator: the Environment Agency in England, Natural Resources Wales in Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in Scotland. A disposal route should be established before changing bedding, especially where a yard produces large volumes.

Composting is not merely a matter of making a pile. The carbon-to-nitrogen balance, moisture, aeration, space, runoff control and maturation period affect the process. Straw and untreated plant-fibre bedding may integrate well into composting, while heavily contaminated or mixed products may be less suitable. Paper and wood products can also be compostable, but the presence of coatings, plastics, treated wood or other contaminants changes the assessment.

Do not burn used bedding or make fuel products from it without checking the applicable regulatory requirements. The Environment Agency’s current position on storing and treating animal bedding to make briquettes or pellets applies only in defined circumstances and does not remove the need to comply with environmental permitting law.

Matching bedding to the horse and stable

For a horse prone to lying in one area, a targeted bed may work well. For a horse that rolls, sleeps deeply or regularly lies near the walls, a larger and more evenly distributed bed is safer. Horses that urinate heavily, remain indoors for long periods or have feathering and skin-management concerns may require a different balance of absorbency and dryness from horses turned out for much of the day.

Common misconceptions

“The darkest or whitest bedding is the cleanest”

Colour is not a reliable indicator of hygiene, absorbency or dust. It may reflect the raw material, processing or ageing. Smell, moisture, visible contamination and supplier controls are more informative.

“Dust-extracted means dust-free”

No loose organic bedding should be assumed to be dust-free. Dust can be created during transport, tipping, sweeping and removal. Horses should ideally be absent from the stable during the dustiest work, and the building should have effective ventilation.

“More absorbent always means better”

Absorbency is useful only when the wet material can be identified and removed. If urine is distributed through a large, compacted bed, the theoretical capacity may not translate into a drier stable.

“Rubber mats mean little or no bedding is acceptable”

Mats improve the base but do not automatically provide a soft, dry and comfortable lying surface. The horse’s ability and willingness to lie down should remain the test.

“Biodegradable means safe to spread anywhere”

Used bedding may contain excess nutrients, pathogens, plastics, treated wood or other contaminants. Storage and land application must comply with environmental requirements and must not pollute water.

A practical selection and review process

1. Define the principal problem: dust, wetness, labour, storage, cost, comfort or waste disposal.
2. Assess the stable itself, including ventilation, floor, mats, drainage, door position and forage handling.
3. Trial one product in a small number of comparable boxes rather than changing the entire yard immediately.
4. Use a consistent bed depth and cleaning routine during the trial.
5. Record bags or bales used, labour time, wet material removed and waste volume.
6. Observe the horse’s cleanliness, comfort, lying behaviour and willingness to use the bed.
7. Review dust during delivery, mucking out and when the horse is resting in the stable.
8. Confirm that the chosen disposal or composting route can accept the resulting material.

The best bedding is therefore the material that provides a reliably comfortable, dry and acceptably clean bed under the actual management conditions of the yard. Product specification matters, but so do stable ventilation, forage quality, cleaning technique, storage and waste planning. Bedding should be selected as one component of an integrated horse-care system, not as a standalone cure for poor stable design or inconsistent management.

Sources and further reading

• Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Code of practice for the welfare of horses, ponies, donkeys and their hybrids.
• World Horse Welfare: Horse management essentials.
• GOV.UK: Keeping horses—dealing with waste.
• Environment Agency: U8—using waste for a specified purpose.
• Environment Agency: Check if your material is waste.
• W. M. Airaksinen et al.: Chemical, physical, and environmental properties of pelleted newspaper compared to wheat straw and wood shavings as bedding for horses.
• Fleming, Hessel and Van den Weghe: Evaluation of factors influencing the generation of ammonia in different bedding materials used for horse keeping.
• Borhan, Rahman and Hammer: Water absorption capacity of flax and pine horse beddings and gaseous concentrations in bedded stalls.
• Effects of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation: a crossover study comparing peat and wood shavings.
• Reducing respiratory health risks to horses and workers: a comparison of two stall bedding materials.

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