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Expert
Posts: 2615
  
| Has anyone used the pine pelleted bedding for stalls that is dampened down prior to the first use? We used this as the bedding choice for our new barn,our horses have only been stalled about 3-4 nights (been a really mild winter,here) and we found that this has caused an extrordinary amount of DUST all over everything inside! I don't really like it,and am wondering about trying shavings next winter instead of this stuff.(It does have good absorbency qualities,however.) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: La Cygne, KS | I use it. I have found that some brands are dustier that others. I like Equine Fresh the best. I also use mini-flakes when they are on sale. Not as absorbant, but still fall through the pick easily. Congrats on your barn! We had a mild winter because you built it. LOL! Mone haven't been in that much either. I have a feeling all the rain that is being predicated this Spring will make up for them not being in during the winter. Ha! A trick that Bret showed me at Big Creek was to cut an X on the flat side of the bag and then add about 5 gallons of water. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and poof, the pellets absorb the water better than adding to the top of the bag as the directions indicate. |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| Thanks for that tip,PonyTammy.We'll try that. I don't remember the name of the brand,we get it at Tractor Supply.I was aghast the last PM they spent the night in the barn when we saw the layer of dust all over everything from their moving around! I'd think it would be unhealthy for them,also.Do you think dampening the bedding before putting the horses inside might help any? I don't put my horses inside unless it's a combo of cold/rain/wind or sleet,snow,freezing rain.The amount of cleanup the following day is unreal.Yes,that's the truth,build a barn,nice winter.I'm sure not disappointed that they didn't get to spend more nights inside it tho!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA | We use shredded paper. High absorbency, no dust, fast break down when composted or spread. |
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Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | I love straw..straw that has been put through a shredder on the combine so its fluffy. of course we grow barley and oats so i can make sure its the straw I want...I also find it interesting that Tb tracks use straw and not shavings. if anyone is paranoid about dust it would be TB trainers. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1871
Location: NY | you could do a mix that would help with the dust |
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New User
Posts: 3
Location: Williston, FL | You are SUPPOSED to wet the bedding down so that it absorbs the water and expands. It's the only bedding I use now for my horses, particularly at 3-5 day events. Absolutely no dust if wet properly. I use 6 bags for one stall, spread evenly. I used to use the shavings, but there is no much waste with shavings. The pelleted shavings, after wetting and expansion, make clean up easy as the bedding sifts easily.
My horses like it so such they are often laying down comfortably in their stalls with all the loud announcing, music, other horses, trucks/trailers, etc. carrying on around them. And it's easier to transport (less space). IMHO  |
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Expert
Posts: 2615
| Trust me- we did wet it down,as per the instructions,and it dries.we would rewet it before using it again.
we stopped using that particular brand from TSC / Orschlean also carries it) and went to a pine flake bedding,not the pellets.The results were,much much less dust. |
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New User
Posts: 4
| make sure u use straws and not shavings.
thick straws are well loved by the horse |
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stall bedding
