One for anyone horsey out there!

[gecko4]

I keep my horse at a DIY livery yard not far from home where I have been bedding her on Allbed (www.allbed.ie) due to the fact she pees a lot and if I uses normal shavings her stable ends up like a swamp. I was using Allbed before I came to the yard as had the owner of the horse beside me as we had been using serious amounts of shavings and I was finding it hard to afford (we have a shortage in Northern Ireland so they're expensive!) The Allbed works fantastically and is also cheaper than shavings but last night the owners stuck a notice on their noticeboard that said - 'anyone who wishes to use any bedding other than the shavings for sale at the yard must dispose of them off the premises as we cannot dispose of them.'
I think this is unfair, what do they expect us to do with them?! I have been at the yard for 9 months and nothing has been said about it before. I think they are concerned that the Allbed doesn't break down as quickly on the dungheap as the shavings but am I right in thinking that I have no obligation to buy their shavings?

[terambulan]

You are not right, the owner has the prerogative as they are responsible for all you bring onto their property.....if u don't accept their terms then leave.

Shavings are difficult to dispose of. They are also an environmental health hazard due to them harboring flies, ticks and bees in the warmth of the shavings.

Dumping of the dungheap is expensive. Shaving cant be spread over fields like straw used to be. Is Allbed a paper based bedding?

[gecko4]

Allbed is made from dried natural softwood fibres, a bit like tiny woodchips. The shavings in the dungheap are used for the fields - thats why I thought if it didn't break down as fast then they couldn't use it. Im not leaving the yard, if they are in the right then I'll buy their shavings but they could have given us a bit of warning - especially as my neighbour has just put 6 bales of Allbed into her stable. Had she known earlier she wouldn't have bought them as now she cant dump it.

[terambulan]

I do sympathise with you but the council dont give notice that they will not accept certain produce in their dumps nor collect rubbish as in previous years......this could be the problem ur landlord has.

Wood chip spread over fields just blows about and will smother grass and impede plant growth. Fine wood chip could cause eye splintering.

Would peat be a better bedding?

[IceyMaiden]

We've used Ecobale, but I still think that straw's the best. You can get dust-extracted chopped straw, and also flax bedding. The horse won't eat the straw, and it's easy to dispose of. Unfortunately, I think the owners of your livery yard CAN dictate as to whether you remove the old bedding or not, because they in turn might have to follow Council laws with regard to its removal, as terambulan says. Hope you get sorted.

[gecko4]

Thanks for all your help guys!

[jenny parker]

this may help

http://www.aubiose.co.uk/

[showcatbenga]

Have you investigated rubber matting? I had a Fell pony that was very dirty, both wet & manure - I used simple rubber matting & minimal shavings very successfully. It's a little hard on your rugs but nothing a good wash won't fix. Your stable should have good drainage anyway & a bucket of water soon washes away any smells. I used quite small mats (2ft x 4ft), which were easy to lift & handle. I lifted them & leant them upright against the wall while she was turned out which allows the floor to dry. There are also systems that have a drainage layer, underneath, for stables with poor drainage. Although the inital outlay is high you will soon recoup the costs against what the equivalent in extra shavings would cost.