Great Lakes Renewable Energy, Inc.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| WOOD PELLET BEDDING Contact: Jane Jacobson 1-715-866-8535 email: janedjacobson@yahoo.com |
| GROUND WOOD FIBER Mike Severson 1-715-651-5816 email: mcseverson@centurytel.net |
| Bedding the Stall with Wood Pellets There are a number of ways to set up a stall with wood pellets; however, the following series of steps seems to work quite well in most situations: Clean out the stall down to the floor (dirt, wood, concrete, rubber mats). Place the contents of three to five bags (40-pounds each) in the center two-thirds of the stall, and spread the pellets out to an even depth of roughly 2 inches. The number of bags used will depend on the size of the stall, climate, and personal experience from working with the bedding. Next, lightly moisten the pellets with 2 to 3 gallons of water to initiate their opening to a "fluffy" consistency. (I think this is the secret to success with wood pellet bedding.) The water serves to break down the resin sheen on the sides of the pellet. The amount of water used will depend on the humidity of your area and may vary at different times of the year. For deeper bedding, you may choose to add one or two more bags on top and again moisten with 1 to 2 gallons of water. Deeper bedding is not always advantageous, and therefore some experimentation is appropriate to optimize product use. Because they are highly absorbent, it*s OK to be stingy with wood pellets. Within 20 minutes of wetting, the bedding will expand to approximately 3 to 4 times its original depth and it will take on a much softer texture and a whitish color. It will continue to *grow* somewhat over the course of the first week. Some choose to not use any water at all and let the natural breakdown occur during urination. Approximately once a week, up to 1 bag of new pellets will need to be added to compensate for the amount of manure and saturated bedding taken out of the stall. Note: these new pellets should be scattered evenly and do not need to be wetted down when they are added to the mix. Many horse/dairy owners who use pellets strip the stalls once every two or three months, instead of weekly, thereby saving a considerable amount of waste volume and significantly reducing the cost of bedding and labor. Because the solid manure separates so easily from the fine wood fibers, very little of the bedding is actually removed from the stall. Using a rock fork works quite well in cleaning the clumps. . www.daizysweeps.com (920) 386-9563 Rodney Stanton |
Wood Pellets Keep Your Horse dry and safe from
bacteria
Wood pellets are the most eco-friendly, efficient and comfortable way to
keep a horse warm and dry in its stable, as when soaked in water, wood
pellets create an absorbent, comfortable and firm bedding area. When
choosing bedding for your horse, it is important to take many factors into
consideration.
Urine absorption is crucial; one kilogram of wood pellets absorbs up to a
massive three kilograms of urine (which is more than the commonly used
straw), which means that labour costs and material costs are greatly
reduced. This factor goes hand in hand with the controlling of ammonia and
odours in the stable. Horse urine has a strong and distinctive smell, and
the more effectively the bedding can handle this, the happier both horse
and owner will be. Ammonia can be a serious risk to a horse’s health, and
the bacteria in the horse urine creates this, however wood pellets absorb
such a great amount of waste that the control of ammonia and odour is
naturally controlled alongside the absorption.
Wood pellets are the ideal horse bedding , not only for the horse but for the
owner, as wood pellets are simple to use and last for a long time. Once the
bedding has been watered, it should be placed in the stable via
wheelbarrow and scattered into the stable until a satisfactory level of
bedding has been reached. Cleaning out the stable has been made easier
by shovels which are designed to let dry pellets flake away while the soiled
ones can be picked up, another labour-reducing benefit of using wood
pellets. Once the soiled bedding has been cleared, fresh bedding can be
sprayed with water and added to the middle of the stable.
The fact that wood pellets are naturally free of preservatives and allergens
means there are no specific health risks to your horse by using them,
therefore pellets come with peace of mind. All of these positive factors
conclude that wood pellets are not only the most satisfactory solution for the
upkeep and well being of a horse, but greatly reduce labour costs, carbon
footprint and wellbeing worries for the owner.
bacteria
Wood pellets are the most eco-friendly, efficient and comfortable way to
keep a horse warm and dry in its stable, as when soaked in water, wood
pellets create an absorbent, comfortable and firm bedding area. When
choosing bedding for your horse, it is important to take many factors into
consideration.
Urine absorption is crucial; one kilogram of wood pellets absorbs up to a
massive three kilograms of urine (which is more than the commonly used
straw), which means that labour costs and material costs are greatly
reduced. This factor goes hand in hand with the controlling of ammonia and
odours in the stable. Horse urine has a strong and distinctive smell, and
the more effectively the bedding can handle this, the happier both horse
and owner will be. Ammonia can be a serious risk to a horse’s health, and
the bacteria in the horse urine creates this, however wood pellets absorb
such a great amount of waste that the control of ammonia and odour is
naturally controlled alongside the absorption.
Wood pellets are the ideal horse bedding , not only for the horse but for the
owner, as wood pellets are simple to use and last for a long time. Once the
bedding has been watered, it should be placed in the stable via
wheelbarrow and scattered into the stable until a satisfactory level of
bedding has been reached. Cleaning out the stable has been made easier
by shovels which are designed to let dry pellets flake away while the soiled
ones can be picked up, another labour-reducing benefit of using wood
pellets. Once the soiled bedding has been cleared, fresh bedding can be
sprayed with water and added to the middle of the stable.
The fact that wood pellets are naturally free of preservatives and allergens
means there are no specific health risks to your horse by using them,
therefore pellets come with peace of mind. All of these positive factors
conclude that wood pellets are not only the most satisfactory solution for the
upkeep and well being of a horse, but greatly reduce labour costs, carbon
footprint and wellbeing worries for the owner.
| WARNING! BE SURE YOU USE OUR ASPEN WOOD PELLET BEDDING AND NOT A FUEL WOOD PELLET! Due to the presence of tannins (compounds that interfere with iron absorption, leading to anemia), wood fuel pellets can be dangerous for animals with repeated contact. While products of similar appearance exist as cat litter and cage bedding for small pets, fuel pellets are made from a variety of hard woods that contain tannin. However, there are no airborne concerns regarding tannins when burned as fuel pellets. |
| DOWNLOAD BEDDING BROCHURE CLICK ON PICTURE |
I would like to thank GLRE for the wonderful
bedding we have used at the Polk County
Fair the past three years. As superintendent
of the horse shows at our fair it is my job to
be sure the shows run smoothly but also to
make sure that the horse barns and show
grounds are clean and look great for our fair
guests. The pelleted bedding is different than
shavings in that the wet areas clump and are
easy to remove. The amount of waste that
needs to be hauled away is so much less,
making it an easy task to keep stalls clean.
At the end of the fair, clean up is a snap
since there is so much less waste to haul
away. Thanks again for making such a great
product that is so easy to use!
Sincerely,
Pam Ince
Polk County 4H Horse and Pony Project
Superintendent
bedding we have used at the Polk County
Fair the past three years. As superintendent
of the horse shows at our fair it is my job to
be sure the shows run smoothly but also to
make sure that the horse barns and show
grounds are clean and look great for our fair
guests. The pelleted bedding is different than
shavings in that the wet areas clump and are
easy to remove. The amount of waste that
needs to be hauled away is so much less,
making it an easy task to keep stalls clean.
At the end of the fair, clean up is a snap
since there is so much less waste to haul
away. Thanks again for making such a great
product that is so easy to use!
Sincerely,
Pam Ince
Polk County 4H Horse and Pony Project
Superintendent
Wood Pellet Vs Shavings what do you use???
#1 User is offline JoAnn
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
View gallery
Group: Members
Posts: 1,597
Joined: 09-May 06
Gender:Female
Location:Samsula,Florida
Posted 23 January 2012 - 04:37 PM
Back story:
So, I have an old horse that pees alot & has rubber mats in his stall(wall to wall rubber mats).He is seen by a vet regulary & has blood drawn
every 6 months, He has no teeth left & gets ALL his food watered down, VERY mushy. I clean his stall every day & he hets about 4 bags of
shavings added a week.
I was thinking about Pelleted Shavings. Does anyone use them?, are they cheaper?, easer to use?, MORE absorbant???
I have to clean a lake every day & I keep his stall well bedded (10 x 10 stall starts w/6 bags fine & 1 premium)
This post has been edited by JoAnn: 23 January 2012 - 04:37 PM
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person !
----------------------
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once !
----------------------
Proud Mom of:
"Dont Doc Magic"-AKA-"April"7y/o Dun QH mare
"Justin"-25+ Sorrel unreg.QH gelding a good 'ol boy
"Twinkie"-9y/o pal.+white shetland AKA-"Hay!Wheres The Cream Filling"
"Snickers"-7y/o seal brown mixed breed lg. pony
"Darling"-15y/o mini sic. donkey (she lives upto her name)
"Tumbleweed"-6y/o wild burro (what an adventure!!!)
"Roxy"& "Dally"-Blue Healers, my girls
----------------------
RIP:
"Turbo" JRT-you will never be forgotten
"SnapOn"- TB Mare-I have learned so much from you
"Princess"-beagle mix-My best childhood friend- you were with me with every move
I think of you all every day
-----------------------
#2 User is offline Greenhaven
vegetation removal technician
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 6,169
Joined: 09-April 02
Gender:Female
Location:northern IL, USA
Posted 23 January 2012 - 04:57 PM
I had to keep my filly stalled for 30 days while she recovered from hock joint surgery, and I found that a combination of pellets and fine shavings
did a marvelous job of keeping the stall cleaner and drier. The pellets are WAY more absorbent. I would never even fluff them up, just let the pee
do the fluffing.
I would bed half of her 9x18 stall with three bags of pellets down on the lime, then three bags of fine shavings on top of that. Cleaning got to be a
BREEZE!
Posted Image
Little Horse on the Prairie
"Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape."
"You are not a real gardener until you have cleaned your car with a leafblower." - Felder Rushing
#3 User is offline hequestrian
Member
PipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 784
Joined: 09-November 10
Gender:Female
Location:Bluegrass
Posted 23 January 2012 - 05:51 PM
I love pelleted shavings! The combo is also very helpful. The pellets are very absorbent but also costly. We loved having them though. The barn I
board at in the winter just switched to shavings only and I don't like it as much but its not my choice. Also for spreading purposes I find the
pellets to be much better. Just my opinion though.
The Horseless Wonder
Equestrian At Hart - My Blog
There is no secret so close as that between a rider and her horse.
#4 User is offline Blueribbonhorse97
Newbie
Pip
View gallery
Group: Members
Posts: 300
Joined: 11-January 09
Gender:Female
Location:Vermont
Posted 23 January 2012 - 08:38 PM
Pellets are great but are the worst in the winter! They are a pain to soak and freeze in the stalls. I also had a problem with them packing in really
hard into my horses' shoes.
#5 User is offline Bryna
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 2,904
Joined: 06-June 04
Gender:Female
Location:Oregon
Posted 23 January 2012 - 10:59 PM
I absolutely love pellets for cleaning, they are definitely much more absorbent. As far as cost effectiveness, it generally depends on how messy
the horse is, how often the stall is picked and of course what they cost in your area. I find them to be more cost effective than bagged shavings in
almost all cases.
Willowvale Farm
Performance Quarter Horses
Disposition, Conformation, Performance.
Home of:
Annie (Skits Princess Anne), 1999 AQHA bay mare, bred to Bet Hesa Cat, due 3/18/12.
Sis (Sister Joaquin), 1994 AQHA grulla mare
Dusty (Dusty Nu Dawn), 2003 AQHA dun gelding
Nita (Haida Magical Night), 2006 AQHA black mare
---------------------------
"Remember to be flexible, you'll bounce back every time."
#6 User is offline N4L
Chief Cat Box Mucker
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 1,880
Joined: 21-July 09
Gender:Female
Location:Mayer,AZ
Posted 23 January 2012 - 11:14 PM
I was old-fashioned I guess---I only used straw for my horse's bedding.
#7 User is offline ***ThreeStarsCorc***
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 4,089
Joined: 03-August 03
Gender:Female
Location:New Orleans, LA
Posted 24 January 2012 - 01:48 AM
Blueribbon- you soak bedding pellets? Why?
their main selling point is their absorbancy isn't it? what's the point of using them if you're going to reduce their ability to absorb?
I've used them for my pee machine and loved 'em. We don't have anywhere local to buy them, so I don't always use them, but whenever I'm in a
town with a tsc, I pick some up. A bag of pellets costs a little less than a bag of shavings at my regular (fairly overpriced) feed store.
How the West Wasn't Worn
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
www.elliemonster.com
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
EllieMonster's FB
#8 User is offline Bryna
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 2,904
Joined: 06-June 04
Gender:Female
Location:Oregon
Posted 24 January 2012 - 02:04 AM
I partially soak them as well. I find that typically, if you don't do that, you have many that get partially wet with pee, and need to be thrown out
before they have done their job. Not too mention, they are hard as rocks if not soaked. I use a watering can to sprinkle a little water on them, wait
10 minutes or so and mix up. That is just to start, generally once the stall is already bedded I add a bag of dry every 2-5 days, depending on the
horse, and just mix in with the rest.
Willowvale Farm
Performance Quarter Horses
Disposition, Conformation, Performance.
Home of:
Annie (Skits Princess Anne), 1999 AQHA bay mare, bred to Bet Hesa Cat, due 3/18/12.
Sis (Sister Joaquin), 1994 AQHA grulla mare
Dusty (Dusty Nu Dawn), 2003 AQHA dun gelding
Nita (Haida Magical Night), 2006 AQHA black mare
---------------------------
"Remember to be flexible, you'll bounce back every time."
#9 User is offline Wild Rose
Horse Maid
PipPipPip
View gallery
Group: Moderators
Posts: 46,218
Joined: 24-October 01
Gender:Female
Location:Hibbing, MN
Posted 24 January 2012 - 09:11 AM
I use both, but only in one stall where most of the peeing is being done! The wood pellets absorb SO much better than just pine shavings. And
they are cheaper. A bag of shavings costs me 5.49. A bag of wood pellets is 3.99 for the same weight. And the pellets are used in much less
amounts than the shavings.
I spread a THIN layer on the floor just in the area that gets peed on, then cover with shavings. The shavings stay much drier because the pee is
soaked up by the pellets. It's unbelievable the amount of liquid the pellets absorb.
I am now cleaning the barn down to the floor once every other day, sometimes every three days, whereas before with just shavings, I'd have to
deep clean it every day, and the wet shavings were almost puddles.
Of course, now, everything freezes, but the pellets still absorb a lot before they freeze.
#1 User is offline JoAnn
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
View gallery
Group: Members
Posts: 1,597
Joined: 09-May 06
Gender:Female
Location:Samsula,Florida
Posted 23 January 2012 - 04:37 PM
Back story:
So, I have an old horse that pees alot & has rubber mats in his stall(wall to wall rubber mats).He is seen by a vet regulary & has blood drawn
every 6 months, He has no teeth left & gets ALL his food watered down, VERY mushy. I clean his stall every day & he hets about 4 bags of
shavings added a week.
I was thinking about Pelleted Shavings. Does anyone use them?, are they cheaper?, easer to use?, MORE absorbant???
I have to clean a lake every day & I keep his stall well bedded (10 x 10 stall starts w/6 bags fine & 1 premium)
This post has been edited by JoAnn: 23 January 2012 - 04:37 PM
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person !
----------------------
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once !
----------------------
Proud Mom of:
"Dont Doc Magic"-AKA-"April"7y/o Dun QH mare
"Justin"-25+ Sorrel unreg.QH gelding a good 'ol boy
"Twinkie"-9y/o pal.+white shetland AKA-"Hay!Wheres The Cream Filling"
"Snickers"-7y/o seal brown mixed breed lg. pony
"Darling"-15y/o mini sic. donkey (she lives upto her name)
"Tumbleweed"-6y/o wild burro (what an adventure!!!)
"Roxy"& "Dally"-Blue Healers, my girls
----------------------
RIP:
"Turbo" JRT-you will never be forgotten
"SnapOn"- TB Mare-I have learned so much from you
"Princess"-beagle mix-My best childhood friend- you were with me with every move
I think of you all every day
-----------------------
#2 User is offline Greenhaven
vegetation removal technician
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 6,169
Joined: 09-April 02
Gender:Female
Location:northern IL, USA
Posted 23 January 2012 - 04:57 PM
I had to keep my filly stalled for 30 days while she recovered from hock joint surgery, and I found that a combination of pellets and fine shavings
did a marvelous job of keeping the stall cleaner and drier. The pellets are WAY more absorbent. I would never even fluff them up, just let the pee
do the fluffing.
I would bed half of her 9x18 stall with three bags of pellets down on the lime, then three bags of fine shavings on top of that. Cleaning got to be a
BREEZE!
Posted Image
Little Horse on the Prairie
"Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape."
"You are not a real gardener until you have cleaned your car with a leafblower." - Felder Rushing
#3 User is offline hequestrian
Member
PipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 784
Joined: 09-November 10
Gender:Female
Location:Bluegrass
Posted 23 January 2012 - 05:51 PM
I love pelleted shavings! The combo is also very helpful. The pellets are very absorbent but also costly. We loved having them though. The barn I
board at in the winter just switched to shavings only and I don't like it as much but its not my choice. Also for spreading purposes I find the
pellets to be much better. Just my opinion though.
The Horseless Wonder
Equestrian At Hart - My Blog
There is no secret so close as that between a rider and her horse.
#4 User is offline Blueribbonhorse97
Newbie
Pip
View gallery
Group: Members
Posts: 300
Joined: 11-January 09
Gender:Female
Location:Vermont
Posted 23 January 2012 - 08:38 PM
Pellets are great but are the worst in the winter! They are a pain to soak and freeze in the stalls. I also had a problem with them packing in really
hard into my horses' shoes.
#5 User is offline Bryna
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 2,904
Joined: 06-June 04
Gender:Female
Location:Oregon
Posted 23 January 2012 - 10:59 PM
I absolutely love pellets for cleaning, they are definitely much more absorbent. As far as cost effectiveness, it generally depends on how messy
the horse is, how often the stall is picked and of course what they cost in your area. I find them to be more cost effective than bagged shavings in
almost all cases.
Willowvale Farm
Performance Quarter Horses
Disposition, Conformation, Performance.
Home of:
Annie (Skits Princess Anne), 1999 AQHA bay mare, bred to Bet Hesa Cat, due 3/18/12.
Sis (Sister Joaquin), 1994 AQHA grulla mare
Dusty (Dusty Nu Dawn), 2003 AQHA dun gelding
Nita (Haida Magical Night), 2006 AQHA black mare
---------------------------
"Remember to be flexible, you'll bounce back every time."
#6 User is offline N4L
Chief Cat Box Mucker
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 1,880
Joined: 21-July 09
Gender:Female
Location:Mayer,AZ
Posted 23 January 2012 - 11:14 PM
I was old-fashioned I guess---I only used straw for my horse's bedding.
#7 User is offline ***ThreeStarsCorc***
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 4,089
Joined: 03-August 03
Gender:Female
Location:New Orleans, LA
Posted 24 January 2012 - 01:48 AM
Blueribbon- you soak bedding pellets? Why?
their main selling point is their absorbancy isn't it? what's the point of using them if you're going to reduce their ability to absorb?
I've used them for my pee machine and loved 'em. We don't have anywhere local to buy them, so I don't always use them, but whenever I'm in a
town with a tsc, I pick some up. A bag of pellets costs a little less than a bag of shavings at my regular (fairly overpriced) feed store.
How the West Wasn't Worn
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
www.elliemonster.com
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
EllieMonster's FB
#8 User is offline Bryna
Advanced Member
PipPipPip
Group: Members
Posts: 2,904
Joined: 06-June 04
Gender:Female
Location:Oregon
Posted 24 January 2012 - 02:04 AM
I partially soak them as well. I find that typically, if you don't do that, you have many that get partially wet with pee, and need to be thrown out
before they have done their job. Not too mention, they are hard as rocks if not soaked. I use a watering can to sprinkle a little water on them, wait
10 minutes or so and mix up. That is just to start, generally once the stall is already bedded I add a bag of dry every 2-5 days, depending on the
horse, and just mix in with the rest.
Willowvale Farm
Performance Quarter Horses
Disposition, Conformation, Performance.
Home of:
Annie (Skits Princess Anne), 1999 AQHA bay mare, bred to Bet Hesa Cat, due 3/18/12.
Sis (Sister Joaquin), 1994 AQHA grulla mare
Dusty (Dusty Nu Dawn), 2003 AQHA dun gelding
Nita (Haida Magical Night), 2006 AQHA black mare
---------------------------
"Remember to be flexible, you'll bounce back every time."
#9 User is offline Wild Rose
Horse Maid
PipPipPip
View gallery
Group: Moderators
Posts: 46,218
Joined: 24-October 01
Gender:Female
Location:Hibbing, MN
Posted 24 January 2012 - 09:11 AM
I use both, but only in one stall where most of the peeing is being done! The wood pellets absorb SO much better than just pine shavings. And
they are cheaper. A bag of shavings costs me 5.49. A bag of wood pellets is 3.99 for the same weight. And the pellets are used in much less
amounts than the shavings.
I spread a THIN layer on the floor just in the area that gets peed on, then cover with shavings. The shavings stay much drier because the pee is
soaked up by the pellets. It's unbelievable the amount of liquid the pellets absorb.
I am now cleaning the barn down to the floor once every other day, sometimes every three days, whereas before with just shavings, I'd have to
deep clean it every day, and the wet shavings were almost puddles.
Of course, now, everything freezes, but the pellets still absorb a lot before they freeze.
"ASPEN SUPREME"
- RUNNING ACES
- BLUE RIBBON DOWNS