The choice of bedding depends on many factors, including the number of stabled horses, the number of employees and available storage facilities.

Straw, the traditional and most popular bedding type, requires more space for storage than shavings or paper and also requires more heavy machinery for handling bales as most farmers exclusively produce large round bales today.

Straw can also be more labour intensive and so, for example, in racing yards where space and time are precious, the benefits of shavings can often outweigh those of straw.

With most of our stabled horses being mares, foals and yearlings, straw is our preferred choice. The advantage of straw is it provides a deeper, warmer lie for mares and young stock. Straw provides a safer environment, as young foals are less likely to lose their footing when getting up and down. The deep banked effect that can be achieved with straw benefits foaling mares and yearlings in helping prevent them getting cast.

In addition to the comfort and safety straw provides there is also a cost-saving element. Straw has traditionally been cheaper to purchase than shavings and, if facilities are available to grow the straw, the savings are further increased. Most studs that grow their own crops for straw sell the grain at the time of harvest, the revenue from which helps offset the cost of producing the straw.

There is an additional saving through composting the soiled straw which can be spread back on the land and hence reduce the need to buy fertiliser.

Kildangan grows predominantly winter barley as barley is cleaner with less dust and chaff. By harvesting and baling in July or August weather conditions are more likely to be favourable.

Anti-fungal sprays and methods to extract dust are available but if the crop is well tended-to and conditions are favourable when the straw is being baled, such practices should not be required.

Composting soiled straw is much easier and quicker than is the case with shavings. A large outdoor concreted area is required for composting where the used bedding is lined up in rows to facilitate turning which needs to be done three times a week.

Another important factor in the composting process is the heating of the compost which kills parasites. Heating can be aided by adding water to increase the micro-bacterial activity which increases the speed at which the manure breaks down.

The advantage of compost over chemical fertilisers is that the compost is much richer in organic matter which helps increase worm populations that are crucial in the aeration of the soil. The combined effect of the application of organic matter rich in nutrients makes for one of the best fertilisers and over time increases land quality.

To summarise, the choice of bedding used depends on the facilities and the nature of the operation. On the grounds of safety for young stock, the economic benefits and sound farm management practices associated with straw, it is the choice for most medium to large studs.

Gerry Duffy is the General Manager of Kildangan Stud in Monasterevin, Co Kildare