One question we often get asked here at P.H Winterton is, how long does it take to clean equine bedding out of stalls? While it is quite a labour-intensive process it is recommended to do this, in some cases every day. If you are looking to streamline this exercise, take a read of some of our suggestions regarding stall cleaning below. 5 Cleaning Methods for Stalls Invest in Quality Rubber Stall Mats – Rubber stall mats provide a smooth base for efficient cleaning plus they are non-absorbent and easy to disinfect. Thick mats provide cushioning for horses’ legs and feet which is helpful for arthritic horses and those prone to founder or laminitis. Choose Your Bedding Wisely – Finer bedding such as sawdust shavings is the best option. Just be careful how much bedding you use as if you overbed you will spend more time cleaning. Also, you will face an increased potential for dust exposure plus mould and allergens which can lead to respiratory problems. On the other hand, inadequate bedding or failing to clean stalls will increase the risk of problems linked to air quality. Consider Bedding Conditioner/Drying Agent – Equine bedding has a high moisture content that can really hold onto ammonia, especially when combined with humid air can lead to respiratory distress in horses. Consider a dry powder bedding conditioner and drying agent which is designed to keep bedding dry and reduces the potential for bacterial infection. Pick Stalls Regularly – Taking even just a few minutes to pick your horse’s stall before you leave each night can make mucking out much easier. This helps keep your horse happier, healthier and cleaner plus it helps cut back on odours and flies. It is particularly effective for horses that are a bit restless in their stalls and tend to grind manure into the equine bedding. Extend Turnout Time – Fewer hours horses spend indoors, the less time you will spend cleaning up after them. A regular turnout provides a number of benefits too. Equine field antics such as bucking, kicking, rolling, snorting and whining are all-natural movements that help clear respiratory systems and stretch sore and tight muscles. Healthier digestion is another added benefit of more...
Read Moreabout Cleaning Equine Bedding from Stalls EffectivelyHave you ever wondered what the best bedding material is for your horse? Here at P.H Winterton and Son, we believe that sawdust shavings are the best choice and we will explain in this post why. Here are the criteria you should have before purchasing horse bedding – Safe for horses Easily available Absorbent Easy to store Cost-effective Easy to handle and pick manure from Many horse owners think that they need to bed their stalls like our own beds, making them soft and fluffy. But horses by nature do not require a soft and fluffy bed unless they are a bit older and thus need to lie down for longer periods of time. The main purpose of horse bedding is to absorb urine and moisture. Explaining the Appeal of Sawdust Shavings Nothing quite looks and smell like a stall that is freshly bedded with traditional sawdust shavings of pine or fir. Different types of shavings are more absorbent than others, with kiln-dried shavings having lower moisture content than heavier chip-like shavings. Look to maintain good ventilation in the barn once your shavings have been laid and keep an eye out for cobwebs and dust layers. Having bagged sawdust is easier to use, convenient to store plus they are far less dusty than loose equine bedding. Should I Consider Rubber Stall Mats? Using rubber stall mats means you will be able to easily scoop up manure and soiled bedding and leave clean bedding behind. This also gives your horse a healthy surface to stand on with enough ‘give’ for a cushioning effect. Talk to the Horse Bedding Specialists If you need new horse bedding for your barns, please do not hesitate to contact P.H Winterton and Son today. We offer three different equine bedding options to match any budget or quality...
Read Moreabout Why Sawdust Shavings are the Best Horse BeddingWhile there have always been plenty of horse bedding materials on the market, they will all have their different advantages. Here at P.H Winterton and Son, we are the leading provider of equine bedding with three different products currently in stock. Here we will discuss the three main factors to consider when choosing your animal bedding. 3 Factors to Consider When Purchasing Horse Bedding Storage – Storage needs to be taken into consideration when choosing the best bedding material for horse and carer. Products with a robust, waterproof packaging can be stored outside or in a sheltered area. Unpackaged bedding such as straw needs to be stored in a cool, dry place in a weatherproof barn to prevent it from becoming mouldy, dust and ultimately, unusable. You will also need to consider storage security for your bedding to prevent thefts. Waste Removal – Most animal bedding products are biodegradable with the only difference being the timescale which each rots down. The method of waste removal can influence the type of bedding material you buy. There can be big differences between the amount of waste produced from the bedding when mucking out. Horse manure should not be used for spreading on equine pasture because of the risk of contamination with parasites plus it would make the grass unpalatable. Availability – The availability of certain types of horse bedding may be affected by the time of the year. Although, this is not the case with P.H Winterton as we supply bedding materials for customers right across the country. Contact Us With Any Questions If you have any questions about P.H Winterton’s range of equine bedding, please do not hesitate to get in touch now. We also offer a sawmill waste collection service for joinery’s and sawmills to get rid of their waste in an environmentally conscious way, creating biomass fuel. This is a biodegradable fuel source which can be used for industrial heating and...
Read Moreabout Understanding the Basics of Horse BeddingSoftwood waste can be quite troublesome in sawmills if not disposed of effectively. This is the reason P.H Winterton and Son offer a sawmill waste collection service. Why is it important to control your sawmill waste? Well, if you work in joinery or on a construction site, we have some handy tips to help control the amount of sawdust you are producing. 7 Ways to Control Sawmill Waste If you are a joiner, use an industrial ventilation system Keep your tools and blades sharp as blunt tools release more sawdust into the air Wear respiratory protection when required Reduce exposure to skin by using protective clothing and gloves Ensure your staff have sufficient training to explain the dangers of wood dust exposure Always practice good personal hygiene by washing hands and face after tasks are completed and before eating and drinking Put your sawmill waste to one side and give P.H Winterton a call to arrange a collection using one of our articulated trailers P.H Winterton operates a fleet of articulated trailers between 30 and 45 feet which are fitted with return air systems and filter sheets. If you are a smaller joinery outfit we also offer a 20-foot hook-lift filter skips which are collected on a regular basis. Our 20-foot open-top waste skips can also be used for off-cuts, wood chips, pallets plus general waste. How Is Sawmill Waste Used? Once your sawmill waste has been collected by one of our team it will be used to create biomass fuel, a renewable energy source. It is an organic material that is produced in a renewable manner to create heat or power. The two most popular components for great biomass fuel come from the farming and joinery industries; they are wood and animal wastes. Arrange Your Sawmill Waste Collection Today If you would be interested in arranging a collection for your sawmill waste, please contact P.H Winterton...
Read Moreabout How Does Sawmill Waste Collection Work?A new strategy set for 2022 has been announced by the UK Government that looks set to support the use of biomass fuel. The UK Renewable Energy Association has welcomed this announcement, reiterating how important bioenergy is to a renewables revolution. P.H Winterton and Son are one of the leading providers of biomass fuel to clients all over the country. Here we will look at the announcement in greater detail and how biomass fuel could become more widely used. How Bioenergy Could Affect Climate Change The UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is putting together a new bioenergy strategy in response to the Committee on Climate Change’s 2020 progress report, which was released in June. The report detailed progress for the UK in reducing emissions and looked at the government’s climate change mitigation activity. This report called for the UK to refresh its bioenergy strategy to include the best uses of biomass fuel and waste resources through until 2050. This includes wood in construction and the wider bio-economy, the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) plus clear dates for CCS to be implemented in biomass and waste facilities. The BEIS intends to publish a new biomass energy strategy in 2022, which will build on the previous strategy released in 2012. It will aim to bring together many departments whose policies for net-zero involving the use of sustainable biomass. Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) commented, “We note the Government’s response to the CCC’s report and strongly welcome the government’s new commitment to delivering a revised Bioenergy Strategy for the U.K., in line with the recommendation of the Committee on Climate Change and building on the REA’s own industry-led Bioenergy Strategy, published last year.” Leading Supplier of Biomass Fuel P.H Winterton currently offers two different types of biomass fuel, P16 grade (smaller size of wood chip) plus P35 grade (a grade wood with no contaminants present). We use Grade-A wood residue from sawmill waste collections which can be burnt in a boiler for industrial heating and electricity. Get in touch today to find out...
Read Moreabout How the New Government Bill Affects Biomass Fuel