Hemcore - Hemp Horse Bedding (Size: 20 kg)

For good health and wellbeing, the stabled horse needs a soft, comfortable bed, which will absorb moisture and ammonia, giving a clean, dust-free environment.

Hemcore Horse Bedding is made from the inner core of the hemp plant stem that is grown and processed entirely in the UK. It is not bleached and no chemicals are added at any stage of its growth, so producing a 'green' product that is fully recyclable into useful compost. Hemp is also fast growing and fully sustainable. In the past, hemp has traditionally been grown to produce fine paper products, rope and textiles and is now also used to make Hemcore - a natural horse bedding. When the crop is harvested in late summer, the outer fibres of the stem are stripped off to produce traditional and new products, whilst the soft inner core is used to make Hemcore. It is dried, chopped, dust extracted and packed into heat-sealed, recyclable polythene bags.

Now with Citronella.

Why use Hemcore Bedding?

Highly Absorbent
Horse standing on Hemcore beddingWhat sets Hemcore apart from other bedding materials is its very high absorbency that results in a bed that stays drier longer. It is capable of absorbing far more moisture than either straw or wood shavings, and any wet areas that do have to be dug out are small by comparison. It makes a warm and comfortable bed that provides good insulation against cold and protection against injury.

Low Odour
Hemcore also absorbs ammonia very efficiently, reducing its harmful effects on a horse's respiratory system, and reducing stable odour.

Dust Extracted
Dust and spores are extracted from Hemcore to provide a cleaner stable environment. This is particularly important for horses with a respiratory disease, but also helps to prevent such problems developing.

Economical to Use
Although starting a bed with Hemcore may be a little more expensive than with other materials, its slower replacement rate soon evens out the costs. With Hemcore's unusually high absorbency, only 1/2 to 1 new bales should be needed every ten days.

Labour Saving
A Hemcore bed is quick and easy to maintain, staying drier and lasting longer than conventional materials. It should be disturbed as little as possible, with the droppings being removed regularly each day, and the wet material dug out as required.

Easy Disposal
Hemcore creates only a small manure heap, which rots down into quality garden compost in just a couple of months. This compares very favourably with the long time it takes straw, and particularly shavings, to decompose.

Convenient
Hemcore is supplied in watertight heat-sealed polythene bales, which are convenient to handle and can be stored inside or out. There is no waste and no mess.

Environmentally Friendly
Hemcore is made from a sustainable source and is completely biodegradable. It is packed in recyclable polythene.

Instructions of use:

1. If the stable is clean and empty, put down sufficient Hemcore to provide the depth of bed you require (up to 8-10 bales for a 12' x 12' stable) and spread evenly over floor, banking up sides if required.
2. Once all the bedding is down, sprinkle with 5 litres (approx 1 gallon) of water for every bale used. Leave to settle to allow the water time to activate the bed (at least a few hours).

3. If the stable has an existing bed of shavings as chopped straw (or similar) there is no need to remove this completely before starting a Hemcore bed. Just muck out as normal, but gradually move existing bed towards the centre and add Hemcore round the sides over a period of time. (There is no need to add water using this method).

4. From then on, disturb the bed as little as possible, removing droppings regularly and wet patches occasionally. Top us as required. (There is no need to add further water after the initial watering).

5. Because less Hemcore is used, there will be less bedding removed from the stable, making a smaller muck heap which will rot down more quickly than shavings. It then makes a useful compost or mulch for the garden.

6. Hemcore is not palatable to virtually all horses, but if the bedding is seen to be eaten, sprinkle it with a weak solution of a safe disinfectant to discourage the habit and when adding new bedding mix it with the old. As with other bedding materials persistent eating can cause colic, gastrointestinal disorders and an allergic reaction. In these cases please consult a vet.