Straw has traditionally been used for horse bedding in the UK for centuries now. But why? Well, one may argue there are many reasons, some of which include: being widely available; easy to muck out; cheaper than other bedding alternatives, and providing a warm comfortable bed for your horses. This all sounds great, but straw bedding has many disadvantages that aren’t so pleasant. In this article by P.H. Winterson & Sons, we’ll take you through the disadvantages and explain why other bedding alternatives such as shavings are better than straw bedding. After reading this, the chances are, you’ll want to consider switching your horse’s bedding! Dust and Mould Straw bedding is a byproduct of harvested cereal grain crops such as wheat, oats, and bailey. Similar to hay, a bale of straw needs to be regularly checked for mould or moisture. Depending on the quality, it can be quite dusty. Mouldy or dusty straw shouldn’t be used as bedding because it can cause respiratory problems for you and your horses. If your horse or you suffer from respiratory issues such as asthma, straw is not a suitable type of bedding. Whereas, shavings are a safer, dust, and mould free alternative. Horses Can Eat Their Bedding Some horses are tempted to eat their straw bedding. This problem leads to using more straw bedding than needed, which can be costly. There are many debates about how safe straw is for horses to eat. However, straw is a low-quality forage and if eaten in large quantities, it could impact colic (abdominal pain) which could be life-threatening for horses. On the other hand, shavings are inedible so horses won’t be tempted, they are used for bedding purposes only, and they have significantly lower health risks. Difficult To Muck Out Straw is non-absorbent, which is one of the main purposes of horse bedding. Because it’s lightweight, it’s more difficult to control the dust particles when moved around and put down as bedding. Straw bedding waste is bulky, and rarely odourless. The muck heap tends to be larger, heavier to pick up, and dispose of. For this reason, it’s much easier to muck out shavings than straw. Equine Bedding from P.H. Winterson & Son At P.H....
Read Moreabout The Disadvantages of Straw Bedding for HorsesEveryone loves to relax, sleep and dream in comfort and so does your horse! At P.H. Winterton & Sons, we are a family business delivering premium quality equine bedding to our customers for their equine friends. If you’re looking for new bedding, this article is for you. Let’s go through the best types of bedding we offer.. Cheshire Choice Our high-quality Cheshire Choice equine bedding is made to give excellent results. Did you know this is one of the only horse beddings in Staffordshire that is made from 100% soft wood shavings? Allowing extreme comfort for your horse, while at the same time lasting longer than traditional shavings. Their high absorption levels means you save more new bedding when mucking out the stables. This unique bedding has a temperature adjusting ability, keeping your horses warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Perfect to use all year round! We keep you and your horse’s health in mind so our bedding is free from chemicals and dust to prevent allergies, illness and respiratory problems. Economy-Bale Our Economy-Bale equine bedding is our more affordable and economical bedding choice that still provides premium quality results. This is one of the most affordable equine bedding in Staffordshire and is also double dust extracted which means shavings won’t cause unwanted respiratory problems for you or your horses. The shavings are a mixture of both hardwood and softwood, so it’s easy to muck out your stable, they can also be used in combination with rubber mats. Zebra Fibre Our newest addition to the range, our Zebra Fibre animal bedding can be used for both the agricultural and equine industries. It provides comfort, superb absorption levels, and leaves minimal wastage while mucking out. Switching your bedding to Zebra Fibre means happy animals all around! Equine Bedding at P.H. Winterton & Sons We can proudly say that choosing our equine bedding will be the best decision you make for a boost of comfort and happiness for your horses. If your horses are happy, we are certainly happy! For more information on any of our ranges, please get in touch today. ...
Read Moreabout What’s The Best Bedding For My Horse?We have very recently covered why it is important to provide your cows with comfy and sufficient bedding. So, we thought why not do the same for your horses. Let’s look at some of main advantages of high quality horse bedding in Derbyshire. You would make sure that your bedding is clean and comfy wouldn’t you? So why should this be any different for horses? Horses don’t naturally need soft and comfy bedding, however, at PH Winterton being a provider of high quality horse shavings in Staffordshire we argue that ensuring you have adequate equine bedding is of the utmost importance. So we would like to highlight a few reasons why you should pay particular attention to your horse’s sleeping arrangements. Genuine Comfort We start off with arguably the most obvious reason to provide your horses with high quality bedding, for their comfort. Shavings in particular act as a barrier protecting your horse from the cold hard floor when they are lying down. Accompanying this is the fact that your horse is a lot more likely to lie down when they have comfortable and clean bedding available. Encouragement is key in this regard. If your horse has been on their hooves all day they still might lie down to get their recommended shut ye and get their recommended shut eye. This rings especially true if the bedding looks dirty or uncomfortable. As any dedicated horse owner will tell you, you do not want a tired and unhappy horse. Support Whilst Standing Did you also know that horse bedding can support your horse even whilst standing. The support and stable footing they offer to your horse drastically reduces the chances of injuries such as capped hocks or elbows. They also allow your horse ample room to stand up in their stables with slipping over which could result in a twist ankle or horrible injury. Absorbing Moisture One of the primary reasons to install horse shavings for your horse’s bedding. Your horse’s stall can very quickly become a rather damp and wet place. This is especially true during the winter months when the UK can see an over abundance of rain and storms. Luckily, horse shavings can absorb a lot of...
Read Moreabout Do You Need Horse Bedding in Derbyshire?Thoroughbred horses are just one of a wide array of horse breeds that you may own or find yourself looking after. Due to their agility, if you’re a racer, they’re likely to be your most regularly encountered breed. Whether you’re training, preparing for a race or you’ve only just invested in a horse, it’s important to get their stables in order. Here at P.H. Winterton and Sons, we’re huge supporters of horse racers and their upcoming events. Thanks to our renowned status in the equestrian market and sponsorships of the Royal Windsor and Olympia horse shows, we’re a trusted source to buy your thoroughbred shavings from. Cheshire Choice Equine Bedding Cheshire Choice Equine Bedding is our most premium, high quality choice, guaranteed to provide the ultimate comfort to your horse. As one of the only types of horse beddings in Staffordshire that’s made of 100% soft wood shavings, we can provide you with the highest quality without having to travel too far. In a lot of bedding guides, it’s suggested that absorbency is a vital feature to keeping your horse comfortable and clean. With the absorption capabilities of Cheshire Choice, these shavings will give your horse a comfortable night’s sleep and have it raring to go for its next race. It’s ability to adjust temperature will also keep your horse warm in the Winter and cool in the Summer. We are confident in saying that buying Cheshire Choice Equine Bedding is the best decision with regards to the comfort, happiness and health of your animals. We also keep it free from chemicals and dust to prevent any respiratory problems developing in you and your horse. Economy-Bale Equine Bedding If you’re after another option that won’t break the bank, you can’t go wrong with Economy-Bale Equine Bedding. This bedding is also safe for the airwaves of you and your horses thanks to being double dust extracted. This also ensures that it’s hygienic from the start. This option of bedding is made from a combination of soft and hardwood shavings. Therefore, it’s still easy to clean out and can be used alongside rubber mats. New! Zebra Fibre Animal Bedding We are extremely proud to have added Zebra Fibre Animal Bedding to...
Read Moreabout Why Buy Thoroughbred Shavings From P.H. Winterton and Son?Using the highest quality of horse bedding will help combat any allergies your horses may encounter. P.H Winterton and Son are experts in equine bedding with products that balance affordability with a great service. In our latest blog, we are going to look at the most common forms of equine allergies and how to identify them in your horse. Identifying Equine Allergies It doesn’t matter if your horse is a foal, adult or senior, equine allergies affect horses of any age primarily affecting the skin or their respiratory system. Allergic reactions can be triggered by any of the following – • Dust, mould and pollen • Insect bites • Rarely feed substances • Products or chemicals applied or touched by your horse • Vaccinations, drugs and plasma or transfusions Some of the familiar signs of an allergic reaction include: • Hair loss • Regional or body-wide hives • Laboured breathing such as coughing or an intolerance to exercise • Swelling, redness, crusting and/or itching at the contact site – for dermatitis, this will manifest as a sweet itch from the insect bites Treating and Preventing Equine Allergies There are three key areas to assess when treating equine allergies, firstly apply a fly mask sheet to prevent insect bites and the risk of further disturbance to your horse. You could also consider medicated shampoo to help get rid of any insects and treat bites and lastly the most important thing to do is invest in high-quality equine bedding. Our Cheshire Choice Horse Bedding is made from 100% softwood shavings which offer comfortable bedding with excellent absorbency levels. This keeps your stables drier for longer and because of its long-lasting quality is a great long term money saver. Get in Touch to Discuss Horse Bedding Today Here at P.H Winterton and Son we only stock the finest horse bedding in Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire. If you’d like to know more about any of our products, please get in touch...
Read Moreabout How High Quality Horse Bedding Deals with AllergiesWith cooler weather set to approach us during September, make sure your stables are ready with the correct horse bedding in Derbyshire. Although our horses have there own internal central heating system and can maintain their own body temperature in the cold, depending on the breed and age of your horse it’s important to maintain a warm and comfortable bedding for them to relax on. With our fantastic supplies of bedding here at P.H. Winterton, we can help you the process and recommend the best one for you. The Most Impressive Horse Bedding in Derbyshire One of the main things that our customers love about our horse bedding in Derbyshire is how it provides your horse with so many benefits, whilst also being easy for you to maintain! Designed with quality wood chip and shavings, our bedding is created using the most effective methods which leads to a high-quality end product. A bedding which is suitable for most horses and stables here at P.H. Winterton is our exceptional Cheshire Choice. Known for being one of the most well-loved brands in the UK and a top choice for most equine owners, this bedding includes 100% softwood to make your stables comfier and also dryer. Along with these fantastic benefits, this bedding features a unique temperature adjusting system for a warmer stable in the winter – this is perfect for when the nasty weather arrives! Other features that you can expect from this horse bedding in Derbyshire is a dust extract system to prevent illness and respiratory problems. Order Your Horse Bedding in Derbyshire & We Will Deliver To make sure you get the best experience from our horse bedding in Derbyshire, we have large Arctic lorries if you require large amounts to be delivered and we can deliver to Staffordshire and Cheshire. We also have another option called the economy bale which again has a range of benefits. To know more information about either products and other services such as cubicle bedding or biomass fuel, contact us...
Read Moreabout Prepare for Autumn with Our Horse Bedding in Derbyshire