Straw Pellet bedding?

[CHT]

Has anyone tried straw pellet bedding?

There is a company 4+ hours from us that makes straw pellet bedding, and I am curious about trying it. We currently use bagged shavings, but the plastic waste is a problem. The benefit of the pellets is we could put in a grain bin and have delivered by a grain truck. Should, in theory, last a very long time stored that way (unlike shavings stored loose). We don’t actually use much bedding as we only have four horses in the barn for the most part, and only for 5 hours a day (unless very cold).

[ASB_Stars]

I have HEARD from people who have actually used them (I haven’t) that they can be very dusty, but obviously, like wood pellets, you can get around that by dampening things down. However, in the cold parts of winter, any water you use on them freezes, and negates the effect. I would think that putting them in a bin, where they are getting rolled around more, might loosen them up, and make for more dust, but I am just guessing here. It does sound like an efficient way to store them, if they don’t break up on you.

[enjoytheride]

We use them. We love them. I think they are very comparable to the pine pellets, which we also use, so for me it would be about cost savings. I do think they absorb a bit more urine.

If you have a very neat horse that pees and poops in the corner they will eventually dry out and get dusty. You’re talking 1 bag of pellets every 2 weeks in those stalls and you can always sprinkle with water to avoid dust.

My 17 hand spin n poop n walk horse uses 1 bag a week

You’d have to add A LOT of water for them to freeze, and honestly in temps in the teens pretty much any bedding freezes. Once we establish a stall we just add the pellets in their solid form and they expand on their own.

The straw pellets do poof up darker than the pine pellets, so if you’re used to a lighter colored stall you might think it’s dirty. Also, we love the smell. Almost sweet.

[CHT]

Added Note: My barn is heated. There is no risk of it freezing in the stalls, so that is not a concern for me.

@Enjoy The Ride my mare is extremely neat, but pees a lot, so I figure if I just always move the older bedding to the back, and add new to the front, wouldn’t that work? Curious information about the colour. What size/weight of bag are you using?

[enjoytheride]

@CHT

Added Note: My barn is heated. There is no risk of it freezing in the stalls, so that is not a concern for me.

@Enjoy The Ride my mare is extremely neat, but pees a lot, so I figure if I just always move the older bedding to the back, and add new to the front, wouldn’t that work? Curious information about the colour. What size/weight of bag are you using?

That’s what I do. It’s just a darker brown color so the stall might look dirty if you’re used to the pine pellets. I think the bags are 40lbs. I have 12 by 12 stalls and the horses are in for 12 hours in the winter.

My pony tried to eat them but gave up quickly.

[subk]

I have used them and I love them, but unfortuantely the brand I was using–Strufex–stop being produced. I found them less dusty than pine shavings and just as easy to use. As a gardener they made up the best compost I’ve ever seen.

[enjoytheride]

https://www.facebook.com/MidwesternFirstChoiceBedding/

This is the brand we use.