Last Updated on March 11, 2022 by Allison Price
- Certain types of shavings and stall bedding are more dangerous than others. Black walnut in any form is at the top of this list. Depending on the situation, there are also other bedding options that may be questionable.
Within a matter of hours, your horse can get laminitis from sawdust or shavings of black walnut.
- Horses may also develop colic-like symptoms and fevers. Your horse can get laminitis even if your bedding and shavings contain less than 20% of black walnut.
- The black walnut shavings are not necessary for horses to inhale. Simply standing in the walnut oil will cause laminitis. These cases show the signs and symptoms of laminitis, such as resistance to movement, altered stance, colic-like symptoms, and resistance to movement.
- Black walnut can sometimes cause swelling in the legs of horses, but this is not the case with all types of laminitis.
- The shavings of black walnut or sawdust may cause a reaction when they come in contact with the skin and the heart.
This sawdust has a surprising low dust content.
- Local mill sawdust is often used as bedding by many people. This can be a cost-effective way to go. Make sure your sawmill doesn’t process black walnut.
There are other questionable options for shaving.
- All things maple would be avoided. We now know that maple leaves are harmful to horses and are beginning to see evidence in other maple trees.
- Dusty bedding can also pose a problem. Dust can cause respiratory problems such as heaves and interfere with your horse’s respiratory system. Dust can also make it difficult to keep your barn clean.
- Sometimes straw can be used as bedding. Straw can become moldy and can also become dusty. It is also difficult to clean. However, there is a system that allows you to remove the top layers and reach the wet ones below.
- I love pelleted bedding. It is fascinating to see the pellets grow as it gets wet. However, some horses will eat these pellets if they aren’t allowed to dry out before being used. If you make the pellets too wet, horses may find it irritating and poof into sawdust. This is a delicate line.
- Cedar bedding is great for outdoor spaces. can absorb smells and urine. Some horses may get stained by cedar horse bedding. Gray horses around the world, I’m thinking of you. It can also cause skin irritation, which could lead to an allergic reaction. Avoid using cedar oil if you have pets, as the oils and aromas are too strong for small animals like hamsters and guinea-pigs.
Choose the kiln dried variety.
- These shavings are kiln dried, which means that they have been reduced in size and super dried. This allows for maximum urine absorption, which is great for cleaning out stalls and reducing ammonia. Zeolites can be used under the horse’s bedding to absorb ammonia smells. This is good news for everyone.
- Pine shavings and pine pellets are the safest bedding for horses. If you are unsure or unsure about the source of the bedding, consider another option to avoid potentially dangerous black walnut shavings.
