Setting a New Standard

The first equine bedding company to achieve NOPS accreditation

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.

Why You Need To Know About NOPS

Every equestrian organisation today applies strict rules banning prohibited substances at almost every level of every kind of equestrian competition. So if you’re competing at Badminton or a British Riding Clubs competition, at the Pony Club Championships or the Horse of the Year Show, you are subject to these rules.

Even at lower levels of competition, these rules are enforced through spot tests on winners, and even microscopic traces of a prohibited substance detected in your horse’s or pony’s system will result in disqualification and often in significant penalties such as fines.

NOPS – naturally occurring prohibited substances – are present in plants but the most common culprits detected in tests are found in a variety of human foods including chocolate, and in coffee, tea, and many soft drinks, all of which can be sources of cross-contamination.

The most common NOPS test failures are caused by:

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Caffeine
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Theobromine
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Theophylline
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Morphine
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Hyoscine
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Atropine
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Cannabinoids

Stringent Quality Management

The NOPS Bedding logo signifies that every aspect of production at all four of our plants has been subjected to an independent Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point audit and complies fully with the NOPS code covering:

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Traceability & integrity of raw materials
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Transport & storage of materials & products
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Production conditions & management systems
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Staff training & management

A NOPS Code was introduced for feeds and supplements in 2009, but NOPS could also be ingested by horses and ponies eating their bedding or eating hay off bedding, or when lying down.

The new NOPS Bedding code is not a guarantee, but it means that every measure has been taken to ensure our products have not been contaminated by any NOPS at any stage of production, from raw materals sourcing and manufacture to transport and distribution. And it means that, when you use our bedding, you are taking every precaution to minimise the risk that your horse or pony might inadvertently be contaminated with a substance that could cause them to fail a NOPS test.

By achieving the BETA NOPS Bedding standard, we’re offering you the choice of a bedding that not only helps safeguard your horses’ health in the stable, but also minimises the risk of suffering the loss of a hard-earned success.
What does the NOPS badge signify?
The NOPS accreditation scheme was established by the British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA) first for feeds and supplements and more recently for beddings
What are NOPS?

NOPS are Naturally Occurring Prohibited Substances that can affect a horse or pony. They’re banned in Racing and by the International FEI.

What’s the risk to me and my horse?
NOPS can be ingested by horses with feed or bedding and might appear in their urine during anti-doping tests.
How did Bedmax achieve the badge?
The BETA NOPS badge shows that all our production facilities have been independently audited to certify that every precaution is taken at every stage in the manufacture of all our beddings to prevent the risk of NOPs contamination in our beddings.
What are the main NOPS risks?
The most common contaminants are everyday substances such as caffeine in coffee, tea or cola, and cacao in chocolate.
Why is this important to me?
Doping tests are now widespread in every kind of equestrian competition, and at every level, from Badminton to the Pony Club.
Where else can everyday NOPS occur?
The list includes substances found in human foods and medications, and in plants such as poppies, hemp and foxgloves, for example.
What does a failed test mean?
If traces of a NOPS are detected in a urine sample from your horse or pony after a competition, you could be disqualified.

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

Hotmax

The sustainable alternative to logs for winter and summer