[belle4]

Just wondering what your thoughts were on bedding used for foaling? I was planning on using straw, but we have ample hay left. Planning on using many left over bales to cover the seed for the yard at our new house, but will still have 100's of bales left to get rid of before next year. Currently we use shavings for bedding. I know shavings are out for foaling purposes, but what about hay used as bedding for the pregnant mare? We already have the hay and would have to buy straw. Why/why not?

[Birdfeeder]

Why not.I would if I had the hay.As long as it isn't moldy.Its ideal to spread back on your pastures too. We use newspaper,its cheap,its very absorbent and very abundant.The only problem with it is,when shredding it, it tends to be dusty.We turn on the exaust fans and it gets sucked out ,leaveing the barn clean and fresh.Getting around as I do, I see how some use bedding.Most use to much straw,hay or paper for bedding befor the foal is born.The mare only needs enough to cover the floor say maybe 6 inches.The problem with to much bedding is when the foal is born and trys to get up and walk,it trips over the deep bedding. When the foal is up, thats the time to put in more bedding.The afterbirth has to be taken out anyway and maybe the wet bedding. I was at a breeding farm with my wife one nigt and I saw this foal born. It stood up in the deep straw,shaking all over and wanting to take that first step. It was a big foal,it stood there just hollering in its cute little way.Just as to say, Ma, I can't go anywhere so you come over here.It then took a few steps and went down. Ya use the hay,If your mare don't eat it all up on ya.

[cassidy]

i shouldnt see y not!

[Sandra-A1]

We use a combination of shavings and straw in the foaling stall.
We put about a 2 - 3 inch layer of shavings in first. This helps to absorb any wet and provide a bit of added cushion then we put the straw on top.
I do know of people who have used shavings in their foaling stall with no problems, but I personally love the smell of a stall bedded with straw and find it a lot more comfprtable for myself when kneeling of sitting in it...
I don't think I would want to use hay myself because I think it would be messier...like when you see hay outside on the ground....add a bit of moisture and a horse walking on it and I think it would compact quicker...well the Tifton Bermuda Hay here would.

[Birdfeeder]

Originally Posted by Sandra-A1

We use a combination of shavings and straw in the foaling stall.
We put about a 2 - 3 inch layer of shavings in first. This helps to absorb any wet and provide a bit of added cushion then we put the straw on top.
I do know of people who have used shavings in their foaling stall with no problems, but I personally love the smell of a stall bedded with straw and find it a lot more comfprtable for myself when kneeling of sitting in it...
I don't think I would want to use hay myself because I think it would be messier...like when you see hay outside on the ground....add a bit of moisture and a horse walking on it and I think it would compact quicker...well the Tifton Bermuda Hay here would.

There is a reasons that shavings are not the first choice for foaling stalls.All mares don't just spit their foals out. When foaling some have it harder than others. The foal is comeing out and then its going back in.The mare goes down and the foal comes out a little more,picking up all those nice shavings you put down there.Yes there stuck to the wet sack. The mare gets up and the foal in the sack slides back in the mare,along with the particles of shavings. The mare goes down again and the foal comes out,but do the shavings with whatever bacteria that might have been there? Thats one reason why shavings and saw dust arn't used by most.If a stall is cleaned daily,hay won't get that wet. There are TB farms that use rolls of hay for bedding. They just roll the hay out down the isle and fork it in the stalls.

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

Originally Posted by Birdfeeder

There is a reasons that shavings are not the first choice for foaling stalls.All mares don't just spit their foals out. When foaling some have it harder than others. The foal is comeing out and then its going back in.The mare goes down and the foal comes out a little more,picking up all those nice shavings you put down there.Yes there stuck to the wet sack. The mare gets up and the foal in the sack slides back in the mare,along with the particles of shavings. The mare goes down again and the foal comes out,but do the shavings with whatever bacteria that might have been there? Thats one reason why shavings and saw dust arn't used by most.If a stall is cleaned daily,hay won't get that wet. There are TB farms that use rolls of hay for bedding. They just roll the hay out down the isle and fork it in the stalls.

Sandra was only saying that she knows ppl that use only shavings. she wasnt saying that she HAD to use only shavings.

some ppl use straw, some ppl use shavings. and some ppl just have their mares foal outside.

belle4-i was going to use straw for when Fiona foaled, but since i got that horrible surprise there wasnt any straw, just shavings. i got lucky Fiona didnt get any shavings inside of her.

but my personal preference is straw, but hay would work too i guess

BBJ

[QHGirl]

I don't know any other reasons why not... but I prob would use straw.

We used to bed the stalls like normal, normal shavings, then when it was time, when they started being close, loose rear, milking etc... we would put the straw down. Put a lot, but keep the shavings down also. It adds more less slipping if the straw gets wet, (water from sack) and it adds to soak up and dry the stall out more.

I understand the issue of inside and out of the horse, but that can happen with anything, straw also.

I think straw would be alot softer than hay, even though your hay may be nice, she may not feel comfortable doing that "in her hay" and try to hold off the labor.... plus you don't want her to gorge all the hay down before foaling.

So that is my 2 cents worth!!!!

[Sandra-A1]

Birdfeeder..I understand the reasons why shavings are not ideal in foaling stalls.

I was asked what we used and I replied...we use a combination a shavings and straw.
I also mentioned that I do know of people who have used only shavings with no problems....I did NOT say that that was what I used OR that was what anyone else should or should not do...it was only what I have seen done.
It is up to each individual to make their own decisions as to what they think is best for them and their horses.
We have produced several foals of our own as well as have friends who have. I also know and have been to numerous breeders who produce dozens of foals every year and have seen all sorts of different types bedding used... including shavings.
Just because some big-named-well-known- breeder uses a certain type of bedding in their foaling stall does not mean that I will. I go with what I think will work best for me and my horses and situation.
Hay will get wet...and soggy.
Yes, keeping the stall cleaned daily will help lessen it.....but it will get wet and soggy none the less.
If someone has access to lots of hay that they can, and want to, use for bedding then there is nothing wrong with it.
I personally could not do that since we have to buy our own hay and I cannot see using it for bedding.
I do not know where you live (since you have not provided a profile) but the TB farms I have been to do not use hay, but straw (and lots of it) in their foaling stalls. That is NOT saying that there are TB breeders who do not use hay...only that you and I have had different experiences.
In the horse world...I have found that people do things differently and that does not always mean that what they are doing is right or wrong...only different.
As I said before each has to do what is best and works for them and their situation!

[QHGirl]

Can you sell the hay you already have??? I am sure tons of people need hay.. I just bought some last weekend. Those that don't have storage places for it, only buy a little at a time... it is in short demand!!!

[BestofPrincess]

I know for foaling purposes we have alwaysed used straw but for a just gelded colt we usual use hay because we are out of straw, The begist concern with using hay would be they would soil they hay and then eat it....