Paper Bedding

Paper bedding has gained popularity over the past decade as an alternative to traditional wood shavings or straw, particularly for horses with respiratory sensitivities. Recycled newspaper or paper-based bedding products offer some distinct advantages and some limitations compared to conventional bedding types. Understanding how paper bedding works, when it's appropriate, and how to manage it effectively helps you decide whether it's right for your horse.

Paper bedding is essentially shredded recycled newspaper or other recycled paper products, sometimes mixed with other materials. The original concept was developed to address dust and respiratory issues that develop in horses breathing shaving dust or hay dust. Paper bedding produces minimal dust, making it attractive for horses with heaves, RAO, or other respiratory conditions. For these horses, paper bedding sometimes provides dramatic improvement in breathing and overall respiratory health.

Beyond respiratory benefits, paper bedding has other advantages. It's highly absorbent, lasting longer than many other bedding types before needing replacement. It controls odor effectively, reducing ammonia issues. It's often competitively priced, sometimes less expensive than premium shaving products. It provides a soft, warm surface that many horses seem to prefer. These benefits make paper bedding attractive for various situations beyond respiratory concerns.

However, paper bedding isn't ideal for every horse or situation. Some horses seem to dislike the texture or appearance and resist settling into it. Paper bedding doesn't compact well, creating more volume of waste that requires more disposal space. Some facilities struggle with paper composting or disposal. Wet paper becomes sloppy and harder to muck out cleanly. Horses that paw excessively sometimes scatter paper bedding more than wood-based products. Understanding these limitations helps you make informed decisions.

In this guide, you'll learn the advantages and limitations of paper bedding, how to evaluate whether it's appropriate for your specific horse and situation, how to manage paper bedding stalls effectively, and how to set realistic expectations about what paper bedding will and won't do for your horse.

For horses with respiratory disease, paper bedding can literally be life-changing. A horse with heaves or RAO that improves dramatically on dust-free bedding experiences increased exercise tolerance, better appetite, improved attitude, and overall better quality of life. These improvements aren't minor—they're the difference between a horse that can perform and one that's constantly struggling to breathe. For these horses, paper bedding isn't optional—it's medically necessary.

Even for horses without diagnosed respiratory disease, chronic exposure to shaving dust or hay dust creates inflammation and irritation. Subclinical respiratory issues sometimes improve when horses are moved to dust-free bedding. A horse that wasn't obviously struggling might breathe easier and show improved performance when dust exposure is reduced. This benefit applies to many horses, not just those with diagnosed disease.

Odor control affects both horse health and facility management. Ammonia buildup in stalls irritates respiratory tissue even in horses without preexisting disease. Paper bedding's superior absorbency and odor control means less ammonia accumulation. This protects respiratory health for all horses, not just sensitive ones. Additionally, reduced ammonia odor makes the facility more pleasant for humans as well.

Longer-lasting bedding reduces replacement frequency, which saves money and labor. Paper bedding often lasts longer than wood shavings before needing complete replacement. For busy facilities, this efficiency is valuable. The reduced labor might make the difference between what's manageable and what's unsustainable.

For facilities in areas with hay allergies or horses demonstrating feed-related respiratory responses, paper bedding eliminates the added dust and allergen load from hay-based bedding. Some horses do better when both feed and bedding are hay-free.

Psychologically, some horses clearly prefer paper bedding texture. They seem more relaxed and comfortable in paper than in other bedding types. This preference might be individual, but when a horse demonstrates it, responding to their preference improves their wellbeing.

Paper bedding should be used at depths similar to wood shaving bedding—typically 3-6 inches depending on stall size and intensity of use. Some facilities use less paper because it lasts longer than shavings. However, inadequate depth creates discomfort and reduces absorbency benefits. Start with reasonable depth and adjust based on how frequently you're replacing bedding.

Apply bedding to a clean stall floor. If the stall has drainage issues or moisture problems, these should be addressed before adding paper. Wet paper becomes increasingly problematic as moisture accumulates. A dry foundation is essential. Some facilities prefer a light layer of lime under the paper to manage moisture and odor, though this isn't required.

When mucking paper bedding stalls, separate wet paper from dry more aggressively than you might with other bedding. Wet paper compacts and becomes difficult to remove. Remove all visibly wet areas plus surrounding somewhat damp bedding. You want the majority of the remaining bedding to be relatively dry. This aggressive wet removal extends how long bedding lasts before complete replacement is needed.

For complete bedding replacement, remove all old paper and ensure the floor is clean and dry. Wet paper left in a stall creates rot and odor. Some facilities hose out and dry the floor before applying new bedding. Others prefer not to hose, which means extra effort removing every bit of old paper. Either approach works if execution is thorough.

Initial acceptance sometimes requires patience. Horses new to paper bedding might be suspicious initially. Most horses accept it quickly, particularly if other horses in the facility are already using it. If a horse resists the bedding, ensure it's actually paper you're seeing—sometimes poor application creates uneven bedding that horses dislike. Deep, even paper bedding is more appealing than scattered or thin coverage.

Some facilities mix paper with a smaller amount of other bedding—a thin layer of straw over paper, for example. This hybrid approach sometimes improves acceptance while still providing most of the dust-reduction benefits. Whether mixing is necessary depends on your horses' preferences.

Paper bedding products come from various manufacturers and are available through most equine supply sources. Recycled newspaper is the most common form, often sold in compressed bales that expand significantly when spread. Some facilities make their own from waste paper, though processing is labor-intensive. Commercial products are usually more convenient than home processing.

Bedding storage requires dry space. Stored paper must stay dry or it becomes clumpy and difficult to spread. A shelter, barn space, or covered area is essential. Paper stored outside exposed to moisture becomes unusable. Storage requirements influence how much you should purchase at a time—enough to be economical but not so much that you can't store it properly.

Mucking tools are the same as for other bedding types—good forks and wheelbarrows. Some people prefer slightly different fork configurations for paper than for shavings, but any functional fork works. The primary adjustment is technique, not equipment.

Composting or disposal infrastructure matters. If you're composting bedding, paper composts differently than wood-based bedding. Paper mixed with manure composts well and breaks down relatively quickly. However, it creates more volume. Facilities need adequate compost space or disposal plans.

Lime or other additives for odor control and moisture management are optional but sometimes useful. Lime dries the floor and controls odor. Some facilities use it under paper routinely. Others avoid it, preferring to manage through aggressive wet bedding removal instead.

Fan or ventilation systems help manage moisture in stalls using paper bedding. Air circulation helps keep the bedding drier. Facilities with moisture problems or in humid climates sometimes benefit from added ventilation.

Dehumidifiers or drying systems are rarely necessary but might be considered in extremely damp facilities where paper bedding isn't drying adequately. Most facilities manage through better mucking technique rather than equipment.

Daily or twice-daily mucking of paper bedding stalls is standard, no different from other bedding types. The frequency depends on your horse's habits and how heavily you're using the stall. A horse stalled 24/7 requires more frequent mucking than one that spends most time outside.

Complete bedding replacement typically happens weekly or every other week, similar to wood shaving bedding. Horses that create particularly wet stalls might need complete replacement more frequently. Horses that use designated bathroom areas might stretch to every three weeks. Monitor how quickly wet accumulates and adjust replacement frequency accordingly.

Seasonal timing affects usage. Summer might see faster bedding replacement due to heat and increased moisture. Winter sometimes sees slower replacement because cold reduces moisture issues. Humidity and facility conditions matter as much as season.

Transitional timing when switching from other bedding types to paper might involve using mixed bedding initially. Some facilities mix gradual amounts of paper into existing bedding for several days before switching entirely. This transition isn't absolutely necessary but helps horses adjust if they're resistant to change.

After weather events that might affect stalls—heavy rains or flooding—inspect bedding and potentially replace more frequently if moisture has accumulated.

Depth adjustment might happen seasonally. Winter bedding is sometimes deeper for warmth. Summer might be slightly shallower. This adjustment is optional and depends on your specific needs.

If a horse resists paper bedding initially, ensure it's being applied properly. Thin, uneven, or scattered paper is less appealing than deep, even coverage. Create a genuine layer of paper, not just sprinkles. Also check that the paper isn't mixed with other materials creating an uneven surface. If application is good and a horse still dislikes it, try mixing in small amounts of preferred bedding temporarily while they adjust.

If paper bedding is staying too wet despite your mucking efforts, you might have an underlying moisture problem. Check floor drainage, look for water intrusion, and ensure ventilation is adequate. Address the underlying cause rather than fighting perpetually wet bedding. You might need lime, better ventilation, or even stall reconstruction.

If ammonia smell is present despite paper bedding, you're probably not mucking frequently enough for this particular horse and stall situation. Paper bedding's absorbency means you can sometimes extend between replacements, but that doesn't mean you can skip daily wet spot removal. Stay diligent about removing soiled paper and urine.

If paper bedding is costing more than expected, evaluate your replacement frequency. Are you replacing more often than necessary? Some horses allow longer intervals between complete replacements with careful wet spot removal. You might be doing unnecessary replacement cycles.

If composting paper bedding is challenging, investigate whether your composting methods are appropriate for paper. Paper composts best when mixed with adequate manure. Pure paper doesn't compost well. Ensure your ratio is correct—typically more manure than paper.

If your horse develops respiratory issues or allergies despite using paper bedding, evaluate the entire environment. Bedding is only part of the puzzle. Feed quality, hay dust, mold in other areas, and facility cleanliness all contribute. Paper bedding alone can't overcome poor ventilation or other environmental problems.

Paper bedding is genuinely dust-free and therefore valuable for horses with respiratory sensitivities. For these horses, switching to paper bedding sometimes produces dramatic improvements. However, dust-free bedding isn't a cure-all for respiratory disease—it's part of management alongside other interventions.

Paper bedding offers practical advantages beyond respiratory benefits: superior absorbency, long-lasting, effective odor control, and often reasonable pricing. These advantages make it attractive even for horses without respiratory disease. For many facilities, paper bedding is simply a good choice regardless of special needs.

Some horses dislike paper bedding initially. Most adapt quickly. Proper application—deep, even coverage—and patience with the transition help horses adjust. Don't give up after a day or two of resistance.

Paper bedding requires different mucking technique than other bedding types, particularly aggressive removal of wet areas. You're extracting moisture to maintain absorbency benefits and prevent the bedding from becoming wet and sloppy. This technique improves outcomes compared to lighter mucking approaches.

Disposal and composting of paper bedding requires planning. More volume is created than with other beddings, requiring adequate storage and disposal infrastructure. These practical considerations influence whether paper bedding is feasible for your situation.

For horses that tolerate it and facilities that can manage composting or disposal, paper bedding often becomes the preferred choice. The combination of health benefits, durability, and odor control outweighs most disadvantages. Trial periods help you assess whether paper bedding works for your horses and facility.