In a nutshell, yes, shavings can be used to create high-quality horse bedding. Through P.H Winterton’s sawmill waste collection we gather surplus wood from sawmills all around the country and create both equine bedding and wood chip pellets that can be used for biomass fuel boilers. For this blog, we will focus on why shavings are one of the best materials you can use to keep your horses comfortable. What are the criteria for good horse bedding? There are a number of criteria for what makes good bedding for horses, such as – Is it safe for horses? – Our sawdust bedding is extremely safe for horses Is it available in plentiful supply? – We supply different bales of bedding, with up to 48 packs able to fit onto a wooden pallet Is it absorbent? – P.H Winterton boasts three different types of equine bedding, all with excellent absorbency qualities How easy is it to store? – We give you the freedom of how much you purchase in one go, making it easy to store small or larger quantities at a time Is it cost-effective? – Our economy bale equine bedding is perfect for horse owners who are working on a budget but still need the best bedding Many horse owners think they need to bed their stalls as they would their own bed – soft and fluffy. But horses by nature do not need a soft, fluffy bed unless there are particular concerns which could include older horses needing to lie down frequently or stay down for longer periods of time. The main purpose of bedding is to absorb urine and moisture. Why should I choose shavings? Nothing quite looks and smells like a fresh stall of shavings. Our bedding keeps your animal and healthy, which is proven to help you to maintain a high standard production in the long run. Contact us for more information If you have any questions about shavings from P.H Winterton, please do not hesitate to get in touch...
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While we specialise in horse bedding here at P.H Winterton, we also often get quizzed about horse feeding habits; especially when the weather heats up. For this blog, we will focus on answering all of your burning questions. Expert advice about horse feeding from horse bedding specialists Horses out at grass may require hay over the summer but it depends on the quality of the pasture, the weather conditions plus the horse’s condition. If the pasture is of poor quality, the horses on the pasture do not appear to be thriving, including a mare supporting a foal, non-native breeds, equines in hard work, or the weather is poor, then they may need hay throughout the summer. If the horse has free access to grass, they usually won’t need to forage as hay will be provided. What are the telltale signs you should be feeding hay? Signs that hay supplementation is needed include horses on the pasture losing weight that drops below an acceptable body condition score. In some instances, if the pasture is poor and the weather is poor, extra hay keeps the horses warm. How do owners decide how much hay to feed stabled horses? If your horse is stabled part of the time, you can decide by determining how the horse is maintaining their weight. If they are overweight then they will only need a small amount of hay and fed no more than 1.5% of their body weight per day; especially if this is their sole dietary intake. If the horse is turned out on grass during the day, the majority of the hay ration can be removed from the diet. Contact us for further advice If you need further advice about feeding your horse, please do not hesitate to get in touch now. P.H Winterton is also the leading supplier of horse bedding and biomass fuel for clients all over the...
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Keeping your horses’ hooves clean is an essential part of their daily care routine, and while it may be second nature to many it could be less familiar to new owners. This is why we have put together this handy how-to guide, full of tips and useful advice. 10 steps to cleaning your horse’s hooves The process for removing dirt and debris from the inside of your horse’s hooves is known as ‘picking out’ the feet, using a hoof pick. Some of the finest hoofs picks will have a small stiff brush attached, which can be used to brush away loose dust and dirt once most of the mud or dirt has been removed. Here is our simple 10-step guide to ensuring your horse’s hooves are thoroughly clean – Start by facing your horse’s tail. Run your hand nearest the horse down the back of its leg, then gently squeeze just above the fetlock to signal to the horse to lift its hoof. If the horse does not respond, try adding a small amount of extra pressure using your thumbnail. Hold the hoof with the hand closest to the horse then use a hoof pick in the other hand and start scraping away any dirt. If this is a hind foot, ensure your arm is positioned in front of the leg , so if the horse kicks out backwards your arm won’t be in danger. For the horse’s front foot your arm needs to be behind the leg. Start where the horseshoe ends, besides the bulbs of the heel and scrape any debris out, moving the hoof pick away from you towards the toe of the hoof. Scrape firmly over the sole and along the inside of the hoof wall and shoe line until the remaining dirt, rocks and debris are gone. Take extra care when removing dirt from the triangular frog (including the central cleft). The frog is a softer tissue than the sole and will be firm without any discharge. Now check there are no foreign bodies penetrating the frog or the sole of the hoof. If there is a nail or something similar in the hoof, do not pull it out. This is a potential emergency...
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Many horse owners, whether their horses have allergies or not, are moving from traditional bedding materials such as straw and turning to alternatives such as shavings from P.H Winterton. For this blog, we will explain why our equine bedding is the best choice for horses who suffer from allergies. Natural Equine Bedding is the best choice If your horse suffers from allergies or respiratory issues then choosing one of our equine bedding products will be the best choice to keep them healthy. We understand that bedding with little or no dust at all is best for allergy-prone horses, but you should always opt for a natural material such as shavings. The reason for this is that many natural materials have antibacterial properties that will help to maintain the stall’s hygiene and cleanliness. While some manufacturers use additives in their natural products, this is still the purest bedding you will get. The fewer components it has the better it will be for your horse. The Power of Three with PH Winterton Here at PH Winterton, we offer three different types of horse bedding, which can suit any budget or specific requirement. Cheshire Choice bedding is our premium supply made from 100% softwood shavings and boasting excellent absorbency levels. As the name suggests, our Economy Bale bedding is our budget range with a unique mix of hardwood and softwood. Our newest range of bedding is Zebra Fibre, which also boasts excellent absorbency levels and is available in 48-60 bales per pallet. Contact Us With Any Questions If you have any questions about PH Winterton’s range of equine bedding please do not hesitate to get in touch now. Our team of specialists will be more than happy to help. Considering a new renewable energy source? We also offer biomass fuel wood pellets, sourced from our nationwide sawmill waste collection...
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Here at PH Winterton and Son, we believe wood pellets are the future of wood heating. We supply wood fuel pellets as biomass fuel for a number of our customers looking for a renewable energy source. Because of their consistent size, energy content and moisture content they can be used in automated stoves and boilers. Wood pellet stoves and boilers light themselves when needed, typically using a small electric ignitor that comes on for a short space of time. The oxygen supply can be well controlled which means that pellet stoves and boilers are highly efficient and burn with low emissions. They are typically 80-90% efficient and produce very little ash so when it comes time to sweep your chimney you will barely notice the difference. The pellets are fairly easy to move mechanically using an auger, which feeds the fire as needed. This allows the pellet stove to regulate its own heat output. How are Wood Pellets Made? Wood pellets consist of compressed sawdust or wood dust produced by sawmills. PH Winterton sources our biomass fuel pellets as part of our sawmill waste collection service. The pellets are held together by the natural lignin in the wood. Lignin makes up roughly a quarter of dry wood, which strengthens the wood’s waterproofing properties. Their low moisture content makes them a good source of energy because very little of the energy in the pellets is used to evaporate moisture. The wood is first made into the dust of a consistent size using a hammer-milling machine with the sawdust compressed under great pressure and forced through holes. This is a hot process and the natural lignin in the sawdust melts and binds the dust together. This holds the pellet in shape and gives it the characteristic sheen on the outside. Need More Information on Biomass Fuel? Contact Us Now If you need any more information about wood fuel pellets or have any questions about biomass fuel in general, please do not hesitate to get in touch with PH Winterton today. For over 60 years we have been the leading provider of horse and poultry bedding for clients all over the...
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