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With
shavings becoming more expensive and harder to obtain, the average
horseman may be tempted to take a "good deal" on a load of
shavings from a furniture factory, cabinet shop or sawmill. Do not
do it unless you can be absolutely sure that no Black Walnut has been
processed at these places. As little as 5% Black Walnut shavings
mixed with other shavings can be fatal to a horse in a 12x12 stall
within 12 hours. Black Walnut is highly prized in making furniture
and it is possible it could be processed at any furniture company or
sawmill in the country, unless the company specifies that they do not
deal in Black Walnut at all. So be very, very sure of the integrity
of the company with which you are dealing.
So
exactly what do Black Walnut shavings do to a horse to cause enough
distress to kill it? The Black Walnut secretes a toxin called juglone.
This toxin is so poisonous to horses that it will cause laminitis
(founder), respiratory distress and/or colic within a short time of
exposure, as short as 8 hours. Clinical signs are increased heart rate,
increased respiratory rate, depression, high body temperature, acute
laminitis (rotation of the coffin bone) and/or colic. In other words,
exposure to this stuff will kill your horse, and quickly, if you do not
get them away from it ASAP.
If
you suspect that your horse has been exposed to Black Walnut shavings,
call your veterinarian immediately. Obviously, get them away from
it and wash them down with cold water, especially their legs, to get the
toxin off of them. Their legs may be very swollen from the
laminitis, but if the coffin bone has not rotated yet, the symptoms may
be reversed with proper veterinary care.
There
are many types of bedding that can be used for a horse’s stall,
everything from wood products such a shavings, chips or sawdust, to the
latest in new bedding pellets. Everything from shredded newspaper to
peat moss is listed as having been used for horse bedding at one time or
another. Obviously not everything used has been healthy for horses.
If
using a wood product, it is best to stay away from the hardwood shavings
altogether (example: Black Walnut is a hardwood) and use only softwood
products. Raw sawdust is really not healthy since it can
cause respiratory problems from the overabundance of dust it
naturally creates. Raw pine shavings are not healthy due to
the pungent oil of the wood possibly causing respiratory problems.
Now
a certain company called Nature’s Earth Products has managed to come
up with an outstanding bedding pellet that combines the usefulness of
the aromatic softwood pine sawdust while eliminating all the unpleasant
problems that could erupt with the use of just the raw
material. This bedding pellet is called Equine Pine. The
pellet is 100% kiln dried.
What
is kiln dried and why is it good? The kiln is a huge building like an
oven where the wood is heated to dry. This process removes most of the
oils and resins and makes the wood fiber sterile. The oils that
could have caused respiratory problems are completely removed with this
process and the sterilization makes the pellets free from mold or
bacteria and repellent well. Also, the sawdust is processed in such a
way that the dust factor is eliminated. This is an excellent source of
bedding from those who have weighed in on the product.
Here
are a few excerpts from an article by April Hall called "The
Evolution of Horse Bedding - Are You Missing Out?" Ms. Hall
states, "Pine pellets are made from recycled sawdust that has been
kiln dried to remove aromatic oils and then tightly compressed to form
small pellets. These pellets pack a powerful punch. Upon getting wet,
pine pellets will "puff" to about 4 times their normal size.
Four bags of pine pellets are equivalent to a full pickup truck of
shavings. The pellets are like thousands of tiny sponges that absorb 3
times their weight in liquid keeping the stall dry and clean. They are
completely safe for humans and animals and are environmentally friendly.
What’s more, pine pellets neutralize ammonia, cutting down on
intolerable urine odor. Most users also note that they observe a
significant reduction of flies and other pesky bugs because of this.
In
order to protect against respiratory problems any bedding materials used
should be sterile and free of mold or bacteria. The 100% kiln dried pine
pellets are not only mold and bacteria free, but they also do not
contain unhealthy hydrocarbons, like many unprocessed shavings. Pelleted
pine is also great for horses that have sensitive hooves or are prone to
thrush. The pellets are highly absorbent, soften over time and take on a
texture that has been described as ‘fluffy.’"
Also
stated in her article, "One of the most significant issue horse
owners should be concerned with is reducing the amount of waste
produced. The biggest change you will notice after switching to pine
pellets is that you remove much less of the actual product with the
manure. When shavings are used, the waste you remove is 25% manure and
75% shavings. This is the real problem. With pine pellets, you will see
as much as a 60% reduction in the volume of waste being removed each
day."
So
pine pellets are not only healthy for your horse, they are practical as
well. Equine Pine is of the highest quality, using only softwood
pine. If you are interested in using pine pellets, contact your
local Co-op and ask for Equine Pine. Your local Co-op will be glad
to help you try out this new alternative to wood shavings.
The
July article has run a full course, from reminding us of the price and
passion of our freedoms, to addressing the requested topic of how deadly
Black Walnut shavings can be and discussing a good, new alternative to
wood shavings........the pine pellet. It is my hope that the information
I have discussed in this article will be helpful to many and help horses
to stay healthier.
Also,
I wish all my fellow Americans a Happy 4th of July! Celebrate
safely and God Bless America! |
