Combatting the Big Stable Health Hazards
The stable isn’t a naturally healthy environment for horses. In major national surveys we have carried out during the past two years, we have found that around 40% of horse owners in the UK experience equine health problems that require veterinary treatment and/or box rest for their horses during the winter months – the period when the majority of horses in the UK spend a minimum of 12 hours a day in their stables.

1: Dust and Spores
Bedmax shavings are screened and vacuum extracted to reduce dust & spores to the lowest possible levels.
1: Dust and Spores
Bedmax shavings are screened and vacuum extracted to reduce dust & spores to the lowest possible levels.
2: Hooves
Bedmax shavings are dried to a controlled moisture content to prevent drying out. The combination of larger and smaller shavings also give resilient support under the frog.
3: Hygiene
Bedmax shavings are made from fresh pine timber which has uniquely powerful antibacterial properties. They’re also dried at sterilising temperatures.
4: Hocks & Joints
Our shavings form a deeper, more resilient bed that helps cushion joints from injury when horses lie down or roll.
5: Ammonia
Ammonia can damage hooves and lungs. Our larger pine shavings drain urine from the surface and reduce the effects of ammonia on hooves, skin and lungs.
5: Ammonia
Ammonia can damage hooves and lungs. Our larger pine shavings drain urine from the surface and reduce the effects of ammonia on hooves, skin and lungs.
6: Comfort & Rest
Bedmax shavings create a deep, dry bed that encourages horses to lie down safely and rest properly.
Hover over the hotspots above to find out more
Combatting the Big Stable Health Hazards
The stable isn’t a naturally healthy environment for horses. In major national surveys we have carried out during the past two years, we have found that around 40% of horse owners in the UK experience equine health problems that require veterinary treatment and/or box rest for their horses during the winter months – the period when the majority of horses in the UK spend a minimum of 12 hours a day in their stables.
1: Dust & Spores
Bedmax shavings are screened and vacuum extracted to reduce dust & spores to the lowest possible levels.
2: Hooves
3: Hygiene
4: Hocks & Joints
5. Ammonia
6. Comfort & Rest
Bedmax shavings create a deep, dry bed that encourages horses to lie down safely and rest properly.
OUR LATEST ARTICLE
Equine Health Advice & Articles
Promoting preventative horse health care
Equine veterinary research confirms our survey findings that over half of these horse health cases are due to respiratory and hoof disease.
The majority of these serious problems could be prevented by better stable management – including the use of better quality, low dust bedding.
We designed and developed Bedmax shavings over 20 years ago specifically to help prevent horses from suffering these serious, stable-related horse health problems.
Now we want to help spread the message that vets are promoting: Don’t let your horse suffer. Prevention is far better for you, your horse and your pocket than cure.
Cutting the cost of keeping your horse without compromising quality
It looks likely that 2025 will be another year of pressure on your living costs, and on the costs of keeping your horses and ponies. Bedding is one of the major...
Spring Grass and How to Protect Your Horse
Spring is here, and with it comes fresh green grass – a welcome sight for horse owners but also a significant risk for laminitis. The increased sugar content in...
Bedmax Equine Health Survey 2025
The primary purpose of our latest survey, carried out in December 2024, is to check the extent and nature of equine health issues experienced by UK owners, and to...
Why Bedmax Uses Pine To Make Shavings
Bedmax is the only UK Manufacturer of horse and animal bedding to use Pine wood. While the majority of wood-based equine beddings are made of spruce, Bedmax...
20 Top Tips for Horse Owners to Survive the Winter
Just like that, autumn is here! Now’s the perfect time to start preparing for winter. Here are our top 20 tips to help you and your horse stay comfortable and...
Six Signs Of Autumn Laminitis
Most of us are familiar with the spring upsurge in laminitis, when horses are grazing on fresh green grass and have more time out in the paddock. But with leaves...
View All Horse Health Articles
Helping You Avoid The NOPS Risk
Minimising contamination by Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances…
Bedmax has become the first equine bedding company to achieve NOPS accreditation, under a new scheme launched by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) in January 2021.
The new BETA NOPS Bedding badge you will see on our bags certifies that the risk of contamination by naturally occurring prohibited substances has been proactively minimised in the production of all of our bedding products: Bedmax, Littlemax and Stockmax shavings, and our new Strawmax straw pellet bedding.
Popular Articles from the Archive
Laminitis
Tips to avoid the second biggest killer of horses and ponies.
Mud Fever
Mud fever is one of the most common equine health problems owners face.
RespiratoRy Disease
How to recognise if your horse is displaying or developing symptoms.
The 6 Health Risks
Ensure your horse’s stable environment as healthy as possible.
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Bedmax Bedding Products
Bedmax bedding products are purpose made to provide an ideal bedding for horses and ponies. They are made at three dedicated production plants in the UK, from fresh timber sourced from renewable UK forestry. Bedmax bedding has been developed to offer owners a natural bedding that would help address the issues that threaten the health and welfare of horses in stables.
Bedmax
Our large flake dust extracted pine shavings
Littlemax
All the benefits of Bedmax in a lighter form
Strawmax
A healthy, absorbent and economical bedding option
Stockmax
The ideal bedding for many other animals, large and small
Catmax
A healthy and hygienic litter with unbeatable benefits
Hotmax
The sustainable alternative to logs for winter and summer