Ask the Vet - Pros and cons of straw bedding

In this excerpt from the June 2018 episode of Ask the Vet ( • Ask the Vet - Tick pre... ), Dr. Gray answers a viewer question about the benefits and drawbacks of straw bedding in a horse’s stall. She touches on the different types of bedding, what some researchers do with straw bedding, and other considerations for what material to use as bedding in your horse’s stall.
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[@jarleyy]

how old is too old when breeding a mare? does having previous foals change this number?

[@dodie3053]

The only two things I like about straw is. My horse will eat sawdust and cough a lot, so straw is better alternative. and two it’s comfy.

[@richardcruz1325]

Unfortunately I think shredded paper doesn't look attractive though, but it is effective.

[@kathyalmole5647]

What causes thrush, besides unkept stables. My horses stable is perfectly clean yet she still has thrush. It doesn’t cause lameness but it has a smell. Also how do you treat it? Her thrush is situated down the sides of the frog on her two front legs.

[@eviegiesler1975]

Kathy 07 my horse always get thrush in the spring when everything is damp and muddy

[@kathyalmole5647]

Meat Man where i live all my fields are dry and there is very little to no mud or dampess

[@EmeraldDreams7]

Three big issues with thrush are environmental, trimming, and nutrition. Make sure the horse is standing in dry, clean areas and keep their hooves picked as much as possible (especially the crevice in the heel). Speak with your farrier about trimming any flaps that the infection can thrive in, chances are they've dealt with similar cases. Excess sugars can cause weak frogs in some horses, as well as mineral imbalance. Finally, you can treat it by "over the counter" thrush busters or home remedies. Though I strongly recommend finding the cause of your horse's thrush and eliminating that first before resorting to any medicines.

[@kathyalmole5647]

Jel thankyou

[@dodie3053]

Pick their hooves 2-3 times a day. It should help.