3 Things You MUST Consider When Purchasing Wood Shavings
Updated: Aug 15, 2019
Most horse owners care about the wood shavings they use in the stalls. After all, people want their horses to have the best bedding possible, right? The product you lay down in the stall can directly affect the health and well-being of your horse.
Some people concluded, "They’re just shavings. They don't really matter!" However, we have heard countless stories of horse owners having serious problems with their bedding. Rather than experiencing a quality product, their horses are exposed to harmful materials, extremely dusty wood, and moist products. It is crucial for the health and wellbeing of the horse for high quality shavings to be used.
With over 40 years of experience in making wood shavings, we know they are all kinds of choices you have for your bedding. To get the best choice for your needs, consider three things when purchasing your wood shavings:
1. What type of wood is it?
There are various types of wood on the market. Local sawmills are typically looking to get material off their hands in any way possible. It is important to investigate the original source of the wood to make sure it is free from any material or chemical that could harm your horses. Pine is the most common material used. Pine wood shavings have been for over 50 years because of their consistency and safety. Other softwoods can be used as long as they are a clean wood byproduct.
We do not recommend using hardwood of any sort, as it can contain harmful materials. Hardwood also tends to be more dusty than other alternatives.
2. What do you consider to be "quality"?
If you asked a group of 10 horse owners what they consider to be quality horse bedding, you may easily hear 10 different answers. The criteria for quality ranges from absorbency, consistency, flake size, cost, dust-level, pickability, bag size, smell, type of material, and more. The top three qualities that are non-negotiable are:
•Absorbency - If your wood shaving doesn't absorb, then why use it? It ultimately won't do you any good, and you'll always have a messy stall.
•Dust Level - No one wants their stall to be covered in dust every time they lay down their bedding. It is best to find a wood shaving that has gone through a screening process so that your product has a low dust level.
•Pickability - Think of it like this: every time you throw out some shavings, you're throwing out your money. That means you want something that is easy to pick through so that you can manage your costs effectively.
3. Is it going to work for me?
Bedding is typically one of the highest expenses when it comes to owning a horse. It is important to make sure you are receiving value on this investment, as you don't want to be wasting time with a shaving that doesn't work. Some horse owners have only tried out one brand of bedding, and they don't know what they are missing out on! A top of the line shaving can make your life significantly easier when it comes to working in your stalls.
Don't work harder in your stalls than you have to. Invest in a bedding that allows you to do more of what you love – like going for a ride.
Dejno's Premium Wood Shavings has been providing premium products throughout the Midwest for over 40 years. We care about the quality of our products, and that's why we sell over 1.5 million bags of shavings every year.
Contact us if you want to try one of our quality bedding products.
262-657-1210