Reducing bedding costs

Though it’s important to provide him with an adequate amount of bedding so he can stay warm and get a good night’s rest, there are still a few thrifty ways you can reduce the associated costs. Let’s take a look…

1. Bulk buy bedding with other liveries at your yard

Ordering in your bags or bales all at once is a great way to cut costs. Even though it may seem like a hefty pay-out initially, the price per bale is likely to be less overall, so you’ll be saving pennies in the long run. It also means you won’t need to make endless trips to the feed shop so, not only will you save time not having to wrestle bales into the boot of your car, it’ll also reduce your petrol costs, too. Clubbing together with other liveries means you can share the cost between you, too, so you don’t have to pay out so much all in one go.

Top tip

Ordering in wood and straw pellets by bulk will require less storage space than straw or shavings bales.

2. Use rubber matting

Investing in some rubber mats means you don’t need to use as much bedding, because it provides a good deal of extra softness for your stable floor. Though it may seem, again, like a significant cost from the offset, they make excellent long-term investments as you’ll have them for life.

3. Refine your mucking out technique

No matter what anyone says, mucking out is an art form in its own right, and doing it well is not only aesthetically pleasing and hygienic for your horse, but it can also play a big role in reducing cost. Limiting waste where possible by using the most efficient tools on the market, that are specially designed to sieve through your bedding, will help you make it last that little bit longer. Ever thought about mixing up your bedding type? Laying wood pellets in the wettest areas of your horse’s bed means you’ll be able to deep litter and reduce the need for daily top-ups, saving not only money, but time, too.

4. Check your storage area

Where you choose to store your bedding bags is important when it comes to making sure you’re able to use every last flake. Keeping them outside or in a leaky shed or container increases the risk of damp setting in and ruining part or all of the bags, so storing it in a cool, dry place will ensure they’re ready for optimum usage.

5. Keep your horse turned out for as long as possible

Though this may not be possible if you have to adhere to a strict yard schedule, or your horse is a little bit of a wimp when it comes to braving the elements, keeping him out of the stable as much as you can is the most obvious way to reduce your need for additional bedding. Not only is living out for longer better for his mental and physical health, it also means less time mucking out for you and a less frequent turnover of soiled bedding.

Do you have any thrifty cost-cutting tips we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments below.