I am a partner in a N.E. Maine equine rescue. We have a 30 y.o. who is on damp feed, i.e. soaked alfalfa/timothy cubes, beet pulp and soaked hay stretcher with senior grain. Consequently, he urinates a fair amount. Right now he is on shavings over stall mats over cement floor which is a big clean-up everyday. Our concern is winter freezing and being able to keep the stall as clean and healthy as possible. Has anyone found a good bedding for a horse like this? Do any of the pelleted beddings work well? Thanks for any suggestions/recommendations.
If he tends to pee in the same spot, I find adding a layer of dry pellets under the shavings there works well to absorb the extra liquid. Peat moss also did a good job.
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If you bed really deeply the pee goes to the bottom and you can add more bedding as needed without necessarily cleaning out the pee every day.
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I don’t know anything about peat moss but I do use pellets under shavings in pee spots.
I layer clean wheat straw (not very tasty) over expanded pellets or shavings in really cold weather or during blizzards (this is in my run in shed). Pee will drain right through the straw into the pellets or shavings, so the straw stays clean and dry, and the pelleted bedding or shavings soak the pee up. You can get by just scooping the poopy piles, gently rake the straw aside, and scoop up the major pee spots, replace whatever wet bedding you removed, and re-rake the straw over the spot. As much as I love a really clean shed, when it’s a blizzard outside, the snow is blowing sideways, and it’s below zero, sometimes you just have to modify how you do things and tell yourself “it’s temporary”.
yup, agree with others. For our high-volume peeing mare, we bed her stall with a mixture of shavings and pellets, concentrating the pellets in her normal pee spots. Works fairly well.
Well, the pelleted bedding can (and does) still freeze if it’s cold enough, but if you bed deeply it will keep the frozen block of urine away from his body. I would try adding pellets under shavings; I think that’s the best bedding combo if you have the time to clean it properly (pulling back the shavings and digging out the pellets, then replace).
Be careful in extremely cold temperature when wetting pellets. Flip them around several times before letting them sit - if you dump water on them and leave you may return the next day to find a 40lb block of ice that is nearly impossible to remove before spring.
First, if he is peeing ridiculous amounts, have him checked out for Cushing’s/IR/kidney health, etc. Even on a soaked feed diet, the amount of urine shouldn’t go up as the horse will compensate for drinking less from water buckets.
Second, deep (8") pellet or fine shavings bedding is your key. Keep it that deep or deeper, dig pee spot once every week or two, thoroughly pick manure at least once a day. As long as the pee spot is kept covered, it will not smell until you uncover it to take it out. The bedding must be fine like pellets or fine shavings or it will be too fluffy to clump the pee down at the bottom and you’ll end up with a stirred up disaster zone.
You absolutely cannot skimp on initial bedding or on keeping it topped up though. The minute you let that bed get shallow, you will end up with shit stew lol Good news is that you will probably go through less bedding on a weekly basis. During summer full day turnout, my horse uses about 2 bags a week. Winter of half day turnout - 3 in bags. When in full time (stall rest for recovery) she used 4-5 bags a week.
I use HOT water to expand mine in cold temps. I let water heat up with a bucket heater while I do other chores. Pellets are waiting in my wheelbarrow–pour in hot water and it’s like watching popcorn pop.
I do the same as DinkyDonk, thick straw over shavings (over mats). I pick the dirty spots in the straw, then pull it back to clean the shavings. It keeps them from standing in a mucky (or frozen) mess, and the straw holds some heat which is nice for frigid temps. I dislike straw bedding in general, but like it for this application.
Pellets under shavings should help.
FWIW: I don’t wet pellets when temps go below 40F. And I bed on pellets alone, no shavings.
Matter of fact, with the wet spell we just had, I haven’t wet pellets either.
Horses have free access to stalls 24/7 & pellets break down & expand completely in a day or two w/o wetting.
Thank you all for such thorough answers. We have never used pellets and were wondering how well they work. “Pete” did have a complete vet check including blood work and UA. He was pronounced very healthy for his age except for his teeth. We know none of his history as he came from a meat buyer in Ky. His habit of peeing mostly in his stall may be because the urine doesn’t splash him there, or, maybe he was worked, put in stall and only out to work again. Who knows.
Would you recommend leaving the mats over the cement floor and then covering with pellets and fine shavings or remove the mats?
Leave the mats.
