Horse behaviour: Comparative study of different bedding materials

Gianluca Bambi; Leonardo Conti; Giuseppe Rossi; Rafael Pinheiro Amantéa; Martina Elmi

doi:10.31893/jabb.2026011

Keywords:

equine

substrate

responses

Abstract

This research was conducted to compare various types of bedding commonly used for sport horses housed in stables in Italy. The main objective of this study was to evaluate how different bedding materials affect the well-being of horses, as these animals spend a significant amount of time in their stalls. A lack of soft material covering the stall floor can lead to serious injuries, respiratory issues, and behavioural problems in horses. During the trial, the four types of bedding were tested with six subjects, all of whom were kept under similar conditions. The materials, which are easily found in Italy and commonly used in stables, were examined over two weeks each: dedusted wood chips, sawmill shavings, straw pellets, and coconut fibres. To evaluate the effectiveness of these materials, we assessed their impact on behavioural aspects. The horses were monitored with infrared cameras, and their actions were categorized into seven different categories . Statistical analysis were performed using ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni correction to assess differences in the duration of actions performed by horses across different types of bedding. The analysis revealed that straw pellets were the most used bedding material among the six subjects, particularly for the sternal decubitus (SR) and lateral decubitus (LR) positions, both in terms of duration and frequency of use. In conclusion, straw pellets are the most used material, followed by coconut fibres. Further research is needed to evaluate the chemical aspects of each bedding material and analyse how each material reacts chemically during use in stalls.
References
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2. Bambi, G., Rossi, G., & Barbari, M. (2018). Comparison between different types of bedding materials for horses. Agronomy Research, 16(3), 646–655. https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.124
3. Baumgartner, M., Boisson, T., & Zeitler-Feicht, M. H. (2019). Common feeding practices pose a risk to the welfare of horses when kept on non-edible bedding. Animals, 9(3), Article 411. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030411
4. Briefer, E. F., Mandel, R., Maigrot, A. L., Briefer Freymond, S., Bachmann, I., & Hillmann, E. (2017). Perception of emotional valence in horse whinnies. Frontiers in Zoology, 14(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-017-0193-1
5. Cunha, R. Z., Felisardo, L. L., Salamanca, G., Marchioni, G. G., Neto, O. I., & Chiocchetti, R. (2023). The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse. Veterinary and Animal Science, 19, Article 100289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289
6. Freymond, S. B., Bardou, D., Briefer, E., Bruckmaier, R., Fouché, N., Fleury, J., & Maigrot, A.-L. (2015). The physiological consequences of crib-biting in horses in response to an ACTH challenge test. Physiology & Behavior, 151, 121–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.07.015
7. Freymond, S. B., Beuret, S., Ruet, A., Zuberbühler, K., Bachmann, I., & Briefer, E. (2020). Stereotypic behaviour in horses lowers stress but not spatial learning performance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 232, Article 105099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105099
8. Fürst, A. E., & Lischer, C. J. (2021). Other clinical problems of the equine foot. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 37(3), 695–721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2021.08.005
9. Garlipp, F., Hessel, F. E., & van den Weghe, H. F. A. (2011). Characteristics of gas generation (NH₃, CH₄, N₂O, CO₂, H₂O) from horse manure added to different bedding materials used in deep litter bedding systems. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 31, 383–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.01.007
10. Greening, L., & McBride, S. (2022). A review of equine sleep: Implications for equine welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, Article 916737. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.916737
11. Greening, L., Shenton, V., Wilcockson, K., & Swanson, J. (2013). Investigating duration of nocturnal ingestive and sleep behaviors of horses bedded on straw versus shavings. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 8, 82–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2012.05.003
12. Guay, K., Fuentes, M., Trice, R., Elmore, S., Attal, M., Christie, A., & Garcia, T. (2019). Effects of level of bedding on lying behavior in stalled horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 76, 122–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.193
13. Holzhauer, M., Bremer, R., Santman-Berends, I., Smink, O., Janssens, I., & Back, W. (2017). Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of and risk factors for hoof disorders in horses in The Netherlands. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 140, 53–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.02.013
14. Hunter, L., & Houpt, K. A. (1989). Bedding material preferences of ponies. Journal of Animal Science, 67, 1986–1991. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1989.6781986x
15. Jovanović, V., Vučinić, M., Voslářová, E., & Nenadović, K. (2024). Welfare assessment of stabled horses in five equestrian disciplines. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 143, Article 105203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105203
16. Kádár, R., Maros, K., Drégelyi, Z., Szedenik, Á., Lukácsi, A., Pesti, A., & Egri, B. (2023). Incidence of compulsive behavior (stereotypies/abnormal repetitive behaviors) in populations of sport and race horses in Hungary. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 61, 37–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.01.003
17. Kwiatkowska-Stenzel, A., & Sowińska, D. W. J. (2016). The effect of different bedding materials used in stable on horses behavior. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 42, 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.03.007
18. Kwiatkowska-Stenzel, A., Witkowska, D., & Sowińska, A. S. (2017). The effect of stable bedding materials on dust levels, microbial air contamination and equine respiratory health. Research in Veterinary Science, 115, 523–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.09.022
19. Lesimple, C. (2020). Indicators of horse welfare: State-of-the-art. Animals, 10(2), Article 294. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020294
20. Lesimple, C., Gautier, E., Benhajali, H., Rochais, C., Lunel, C., Bensaïd, S., & Hausberger, M. (2019). Stall architecture influences horses’ behaviour and the prevalence and type of stereotypies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 219, Article 104833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104833
21. Masebo, N. T., Benedetti, B., Mountricha, M., Lee, L., & Padalino, B. (2025). A literature review on equine bedding: Impacts on horse and human welfare, health, and the environment. Animals, 15(5), 751. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050751
22. Mönki, J., Saastamoinen, M., Karikoski, N., Norring, M., Rajamäki, M., & Mykkänen, A. (2021). Effects of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation: A comparison of two peat beddings, wood pellet, and straw pellet. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, Article 799645. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.799645
23. Pedersen, G. R., Søndergaard, E., & Ladewig, J. (2004). The influence of bedding on the time horses spend recumbent. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2004.03.013
24. Prišenk, J., Turk, J., Rozman, Č., & Janžekovič, K. P. (2017). Feasibility analysis of different bedding materials for horses. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 46, 798–803. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2017.1403919
25. Roberts, K., Hemmings, A., McBride, S. D., & Parker, M. O. (2017). Causal factors of oral versus locomotor stereotypy in the horse. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 20, 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.05.003
26. Saastamoinen, M., Särkijärvi, S., & Hyyppä, S. (2015). Reducing respiratory health risks to horses and workers: A comparison of two stall bedding materials. Animals, 5(4), 965–977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani5040394
27. Smith, M., Simms, C., & Aber, J. (2017). Case study: Animal bedding cost and somatic cell count across New England dairy farms. The Professional Animal Scientist, 33, 616–626. https://doi.org/10.15232/pas.2016-01601
28. Thirkell, R. H. J. (2017). A preliminary review of equine hoof management and the client–farrier relationship in the United Kingdom. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 59, 88–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2017.10.005
29. Werhahn, H., Hessel, E. F., Bachhausen, I., van den Weghe, H. F. A. (2010). Effect of different bedding materials on the behavior of horses housed in single stalls. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 30(8), 425–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2010.07.005
30. Whisher, L., Raum, M., Pina, L., Perez, L., Erb, H., Houpt, C., & Houpt, K. (2011). Effects of environmental factors on cribbing activity by horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 135, 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2011.09.001
31. Zailani, N., Hanis, F., & Anuar, M. (2024). Assessing the cost efficiency and benefits of sawdust, pinewood, and rubber wood shavings as bedding materials. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 134, Article 105018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105018

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How to cite

Bambi, G., Conti, L., Rossi, G., Amantéa, R. P., & Elmi, M. (2026). Horse behaviour: Comparative study of different bedding materials. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, 14(2), 2026011. https://doi.org/10.31893/jabb.2026011

[1] Arena, I., Marliani, G., Sabioni, S., Gabai, G., Bucci, D., & Accorsi, P. A. (2021). Assessment of horses’ welfare: Behavioral, hormonal, and husbandry aspects. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 41, 82–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2021.01.006

[2] Bambi, G., Rossi, G., & Barbari, M. (2018). Comparison between different types of bedding materials for horses. Agronomy Research, 16(3), 646–655. https://doi.org/10.15159/AR.18.124

[3] Baumgartner, M., Boisson, T., & Zeitler-Feicht, M. H. (2019). Common feeding practices pose a risk to the welfare of horses when kept on non-edible bedding. Animals, 9(3), Article 411. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10030411

[4] Briefer, E. F., Mandel, R., Maigrot, A. L., Briefer Freymond, S., Bachmann, I., & Hillmann, E. (2017). Perception of emotional valence in horse whinnies. Frontiers in Zoology, 14(1), 8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12983-017-0193-1

[5] Cunha, R. Z., Felisardo, L. L., Salamanca, G., Marchioni, G. G., Neto, O. I., & Chiocchetti, R. (2023). The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse. Veterinary and Animal Science, 19, Article 100289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289

[6] Freymond, S. B., Bardou, D., Briefer, E., Bruckmaier, R., Fouché, N., Fleury, J., & Maigrot, A.-L. (2015). The physiological consequences of crib-biting in horses in response to an ACTH challenge test. Physiology & Behavior, 151, 121–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.07.015

[7] Freymond, S. B., Beuret, S., Ruet, A., Zuberbühler, K., Bachmann, I., & Briefer, E. (2020). Stereotypic behaviour in horses lowers stress but not spatial learning performance. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 232, Article 105099. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105099

[8] Fürst, A. E., & Lischer, C. J. (2021). Other clinical problems of the equine foot. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 37(3), 695–721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2021.08.005

[9] Garlipp, F., Hessel, F. E., & van den Weghe, H. F. A. (2011). Characteristics of gas generation (NH₃, CH₄, N₂O, CO₂, H₂O) from horse manure added to different bedding materials used in deep litter bedding systems. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 31, 383–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2011.01.007

[10] Greening, L., & McBride, S. (2022). A review of equine sleep: Implications for equine welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, Article 916737. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.916737

[11] Greening, L., Shenton, V., Wilcockson, K., & Swanson, J. (2013). Investigating duration of nocturnal ingestive and sleep behaviors of horses bedded on straw versus shavings. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 8, 82–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2012.05.003

[12] Guay, K., Fuentes, M., Trice, R., Elmore, S., Attal, M., Christie, A., & Garcia, T. (2019). Effects of level of bedding on lying behavior in stalled horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 76, 122–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2019.03.193

[13] Holzhauer, M., Bremer, R., Santman-Berends, I., Smink, O., Janssens, I., & Back, W. (2017). Cross-sectional study of the prevalence of and risk factors for hoof disorders in horses in The Netherlands. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 140, 53–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.02.013

[14] Hunter, L., & Houpt, K. A. (1989). Bedding material preferences of ponies. Journal of Animal Science, 67, 1986–1991. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1989.6781986x

[15] Jovanović, V., Vučinić, M., Voslářová, E., & Nenadović, K. (2024). Welfare assessment of stabled horses in five equestrian disciplines. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 143, Article 105203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105203

[16] Kádár, R., Maros, K., Drégelyi, Z., Szedenik, Á., Lukácsi, A., Pesti, A., & Egri, B. (2023). Incidence of compulsive behavior (stereotypies/abnormal repetitive behaviors) in populations of sport and race horses in Hungary. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 61, 37–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.01.003

[17] Kwiatkowska-Stenzel, A., & Sowińska, D. W. J. (2016). The effect of different bedding materials used in stable on horses behavior. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 42, 57–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2016.03.007

[18] Kwiatkowska-Stenzel, A., Witkowska, D., & Sowińska, A. S. (2017). The effect of stable bedding materials on dust levels, microbial air contamination and equine respiratory health. Research in Veterinary Science, 115, 523–559. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2017.09.022

[19] Lesimple, C. (2020). Indicators of horse welfare: State-of-the-art. Animals, 10(2), Article 294. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10020294

[20] Lesimple, C., Gautier, E., Benhajali, H., Rochais, C., Lunel, C., Bensaïd, S., & Hausberger, M. (2019). Stall architecture influences horses’ behaviour and the prevalence and type of stereotypies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 219, Article 104833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104833

[21] Masebo, N. T., Benedetti, B., Mountricha, M., Lee, L., & Padalino, B. (2025). A literature review on equine bedding: Impacts on horse and human welfare, health, and the environment. Animals, 15(5), 751. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050751

[22] Mönki, J., Saastamoinen, M., Karikoski, N., Norring, M., Rajamäki, M., & Mykkänen, A. (2021). Effects of bedding material on equine lower airway inflammation: A comparison of two peat beddings, wood pellet, and straw pellet. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, Article 799645. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.799645

[23] Pedersen, G. R., Søndergaard, E., & Ladewig, J. (2004). The influence of bedding on the time horses spend recumbent. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2004.03.013

[24] Prišenk, J., Turk, J., Rozman, Č., & Janžekovič, K. P. (2017). Feasibility analysis of different bedding materials for horses. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 46, 798–803. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2017.1403919

[25] Roberts, K., Hemmings, A., McBride, S. D., & Parker, M. O. (2017). Causal factors of oral versus locomotor stereotypy in the horse. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 20, 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2017.05.003

[26] Saastamoinen, M., Särkijärvi, S., & Hyyppä, S. (2015). Reducing respiratory health risks to horses and workers: A comparison of two stall bedding materials. Animals, 5(4), 965–977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani5040394

[27] Smith, M., Simms, C., & Aber, J. (2017). Case study: Animal bedding cost and somatic cell count across New England dairy farms. The Professional Animal Scientist, 33, 616–626. https://doi.org/10.15232/pas.2016-01601

[28] Thirkell, R. H. J. (2017). A preliminary review of equine hoof management and the client–farrier relationship in the United Kingdom. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 59, 88–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2017.10.005

[29] Werhahn, H., Hessel, E. F., Bachhausen, I., van den Weghe, H. F. A. (2010). Effect of different bedding materials on the behavior of horses housed in single stalls. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 30(8), 425–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2010.07.005

[30] Whisher, L., Raum, M., Pina, L., Perez, L., Erb, H., Houpt, C., & Houpt, K. (2011). Effects of environmental factors on cribbing activity by horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 135, 63–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2011.09.001

[31] Zailani, N., Hanis, F., & Anuar, M. (2024). Assessing the cost efficiency and benefits of sawdust, pinewood, and rubber wood shavings as bedding materials. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 134, Article 105018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105018

Abstract

References

How to cite