For a 9 m² stable, we recommend 6 × 20 kg bales to start with. After that, half a bale to one bale a week is enough for maintenance. Aim for a bed depth of 20 to 30 cm. Here’s how to adapt these quantities to your stable, lay the bed and maintain it without ever having to strip it out completely.
How many bales of bedding does a horse stable need?
The starting quantity depends first and foremost on the size of your stable. Here are our guidelines for Aubiose hemp horse bedding:
| Stable size | Dimensions | 20 kg bales to start |
|---|---|---|
| 9 m² | 3 x 3 m (approx. 10 x 10 ft) | 6 bales |
| 12 m² | 3.5 x 3.5 m (approx. 11.5 x 11.5 ft) | 7 to 8 bales |
| 16 m² | 4 x 4 m (approx. 13 x 13 ft) | 10 bales |
A 9 m² stable generally suits ponies and smaller horses. For a larger horse, allow 11 to 16 m², with sides of 3.5 to 4 m.
Other factors that affect the quantity
How clean your horse is. Some horses urinate more often than others, or trample their droppings. They saturate the bedding more quickly and need topping up more often.
Time spent in the stable. A horse stabled all winter uses more bedding than one turned out for part of the year. In summer, an empty stable keeps its bedding clean for weeks.
How deep should the bedding be in a stable?
Aim for a layer of 20 to 30 cm. It’s the simplest way to check you have enough. Any less and the bedding absorbs less well and provides less cushioning where your horse lies down.
What you’ll need
- Aubiose bedding bales (see the table above)
- A bedding fork or a muck scoop
- A wheelbarrow or a trolley
How to lay hemp bedding in a stable in 3 steps
1. Spread the bedding over the whole stable floor.
Distribute the bales evenly until you reach the recommended depth.
2. Firm it down to create an even base.
A level surface spreads your horse’s weight as it moves around or lies down.
3. Build banks around the edges.
This reserve of dry bedding is what you’ll use to level the bed each day.
Day-to-day care, without ever stripping the bed
With hemp bedding, you only remove the soiled areas. That’s the big advantage! The rest of the bed stays in place.
Every day: remove droppings without digging.
Remove droppings and wet patches from the surface. Don’t dig! Moisture naturally works its way down to the bottom of the bed. This creates a damp, compact bottom layer and a dry top layer. Digging mixes the two and reduces absorption.
To level the bed, pull dry bedding in from the banks towards the centre. You’ll do less work and use fewer bales.
Every 5 to 10 days: check the damp layer.
Scrape back the dry layer with your fork to look at the layer underneath, without disturbing it. As long as it stays brown, it’s doing its job.
When should you remove the damp layer?
Two signs tell you an area is saturated:
- the damp layer turns a reddish colour;
- a smell of ammonia lingers in the stable.
When that happens, remove the damp layer from that area only, until none is left. Add fresh dry bedding, firm it down and rebuild the banks if needed.
How much bedding should you add each week?
Half a bale a week is enough in most cases. Allow a whole bale for the messiest horses.
Why you shouldn’t skimp on bedding at the start
A more comfortable bed. A deep bed cushions the areas where your horse lies down. According to customer feedback gathered by Aubiose, horses lie down more often on their bedding. It’s also worth bearing in mind for broodmares and foals, who are still unsteady on their legs.
Less ammonia smell. A deep enough layer absorbs urine better. The air in the stable stays fresher, for your horse and for you.
Safer footing. A good depth reduces slipping, especially for horses that paw the ground.
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The right amount, in a nutshell
To start with, allow 6 × 20 kg bales for a 9 m² stable, and 7 to 8 bales for 12 m². Aim for a depth of 20 to 30 cm. After that, maintenance comes down to three simple steps: remove droppings every day without digging, check the damp layer every 5 to 10 days, and add half a bale to one bale a week.
Once it’s properly laid, a hemp bed never needs to be completely replaced. You save time mucking out and buy fewer bales as the months go by.
Frequently asked questions about horse bedding
How many bales of bedding do I need for a 3 x 3 m stable?
We recommend 6 × 20 kg bales to start with, then half a bale to one bale a week.
How deep should the bedding be in a horse stable?
Between 20 and 30 cm. That’s the benchmark for knowing whether you have enough.
Do I need to replace all the bedding in the stable?
No. With hemp bedding, you remove droppings every day, and the damp layer only when it turns reddish or smells of ammonia.
How often should I check the bedding?
Scrape back the dry layer every 5 to 10 days to check the condition of the damp layer underneath.
What can I do with used bedding?
Your animals’ bedding is still useful after use: it can go on the garden to be turned into compost.
It’s an eco-friendly and economical habit, and a real boost for your garden.
It’s important to choose suitable bedding, such as hemp bedding, and to follow good composting practice to get the best results. If you don’t have a garden, there are other options too, such as your local council’s garden waste collection.
