Find out the Pros and Cons of using Equine Bedding Pellets
Are equine bedding pellets worth the money and do you really need them?
If you’re tired of the mess and hassle of traditional horse bedding then it might be time to make the switch to horse bedding pellets!
They’re both convenient and a cost-effective solution that may be perfect for your horse’s stable bedding requirements. So…here’s what you need to know about horse bedding pellets, how they’re made, and the benefits of using them for your horse’s bedding.
If your horse is stabled, even if just overnight, stable bedding is probably something you’ve thought about.
Which type of bedding is best?
Which one offers the most convenience in terms of maintenance and cleanliness without compromising your horse’s comfort?
We covered a few different types of stable bedding in a previous article but we’re going to focus on pellets in this article.
What are Equine Bedding Pellets?
Equine bedding pellets are compressed, biodegradable, (and compostable) sawdust pellets that turn into a soft, absorbent and dry bedding for horses when dampened. They are usually sold in moisture-proof bags for convenient handling and storage.
Always ensure you use pellets specifically manufactured for horse bedding, and not fire pellets. This is because horse bedding pellets…
Have been extensively treated to remove chemicals and contaminants; fire pellets typically have not.
Are designed to expand and turn back into sawdust when used; fire pellets are not.
That are made from soft woods, like pine, create a soft fluffy sawdust; fire pellets are generally made from hardwoods that burn well.
Are made from non-toxic woods whilst fire pellets may be made from woods that are toxic to horses.
What Are Equine Bedding Pellets Made From?
Equine bedding pellets are made from clean, steam-sanitised, heat-treated, compressed sawdust. Typically, the wood used to make them comes from recycled wood from timber milling, manufacturing, furniture, and construction.
Old untreated wooden pallets for example are a common source of timber for animal bedding pellets. This makes them an eco friendly alternative to traditional stable bedding products like straw.
How Are Equine Bedding Pellets Made?
The process of making equine bedding pellets begins with collecting the raw materials. Larger pieces of timber, wood chips, and coarse shavings are ground down into sawdust and steam cleaned to sterilise and remove any chemicals, insects, pathogens, and other nasties.
Once clean, the sawdust is dried and screened to remove any debris, dirt, and foreign objects like stones, nails, or similar contaminants. The now clean, dry, sanitised sawdust is compressed under high heat pressure into small, uniform pellets to produce a sustainable, dust-free bedding product. The heat releases natural lignin in the wood that helps bind the particles together in the pellets.
The pellets are then bagged up, and shipped off to retail outlets.
How Many Bags Of Equine Bedding Pellets Do I Need?
Equine bedding pellets usually come in 15kg bags. The recommended quantity is 12 – 16 bags for a 4metre x 4metre stable, depending on how thick you want the bedding to be. Then… depending how much of a mess your horse makes of its bedding, you’ll usually need to add 1 to 2 bags a week to replace what is removed when mucking out the stable.
Some horses are very clean, and poop and pee in one spot so their owners may only need to top up once a fortnight. Others do it wherever they happen to be standing, and then churn it up as they move around so you may need more than 1 or 2 bags a week!
How To Make A Wood Pellet Bed For Horses?
1. Thoroughly clean the stable, right down to the bare floor. Disinfect if you need to.
2. Wooden bedding pellets need to be dampened to expand and return them to their former soft, fluffy sawdust state. This also increases their absorbency. However, how it’s done varies according to manufacturer. Some recommend adding 9 litres of water per bag to the pellets whilst they’re still in it. Allow to re-hydrate fully, and then spread out evenly over the floor.
Other manufacturers say to spread the pellets out over the floor of the stable to a depth of around 10cms. Then spray lightly with a hose or watering can, but don’t over water. The sawdust should be slightly damp
The pellets will take around 20 minutes to fully expand using warm water, and around an hour with cold water.
3. Top up as required.
4. Dampen regularly to keep the sawdust soft and fluffy, and reduce dust.
5. Replace when it’s no longer feasible to keep the sawdust clean and dry. How often this is will depend on your horse’s toileting habits!
Advantages of Using Equine Bedding Pellets
Wooden bedding pellets have many advantages over other types of stable bedding.
Comfortable
Equine bedding pellets provide a comfortable bedding material for horses to rest, stand, and sleep on. Because they’ve been extensively screened prior to pelleting, they’re free of sharp objects that could cause injuries.
Hygienic
Equine bedding pellets are hygienic because the wood is steam sanitised before pelleting to remove chemicals, bacteria, and other harmful compounds.
Dust-Free
Again, the way horse bedding pellets are treated during the pelleting process helps ensure they’re dust and allergen free, which is good news for your horse, and you if you have allergies.
Absorbent
Equine bedding pellets are extremely absorbent and soak up any moisture to keep your horse’s bedding dry and hygienic. This helps to prevent health issues caused by damp conditions such as thrush or skin irritations.
Easy to Clean
Unlike traditional horse bedding, pellets are easy to clean with minimal wastage. They absorb moisture well, which means that urine and manure can be easily lifted out with a fork.
Save Time and Money
Horse bedding pellets are a cost-effective option as they’re long-lasting and require less labour to clean. They’re also easier to store as they occupy less space than traditional horse bedding.
Eco-Friendly
Equine bedding pellets are made from recycled wood and waste timber. They’re a great choice if you’re looking to minimise your environmental footprint.
Recyclable
Stable waste invariably makes great organic garden mulch and fertiliser, and bedding pellets are no exception! It can be stockpiled and allowed to rot down then used just as you would other stable bedding materials.
Not Edible
Unlike straw bedding, wooden pellet bedding is not edible so your horse won’t be tempted to munch on it. However, it’s also safe if they should ingest some whilst hoovering up spilt feed from the floor.
Key Takeaways About Stable Or Equine Bedding Pellets
Equine bedding pellets are an increasingly popular choice of stable bedding for horses because it’s clean, hygienic, easy to use and handle, dust-free, and has excellent moisture absorbing qualities. Being a bagged product, it’s easy to ‘chuck’ in the boot of the car, thus avoiding the type of expensive transport fees you’ll incur if you want to buy a load of sawdust or shavings. It can be stored long-term, and creates a lovely soft bed for your horse.
In our next articles, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about horse bedding pellets. We’ll also tell you how to how to properly clean and maintain your horse bedding pellets, and the value of composting manure with equine bedding pellets
