Miscanthus or wood shavings? The best bedding for your horse is the one that keeps the bed comfortable and hygienic, suits your storage and fits your weekly budget. Compare the particular products and your own routine, rather than assuming one material always costs less or makes less dust.
We supply miscanthus at Nanhoron Farms, so we have an interest in the answer. This guide explains how to compare the options fairly, including where good-quality shavings may be the more practical choice. The featured image is an AI-generated illustration of bedding appearance, not a product test or measured comparison.
Miscanthus vs shavings: what should you compare?
Start with the horse, then look at the stable and the way you work. A horse on box rest, a horse living out for much of the day and a horse with a respiratory condition need different decisions, even on the same yard.
| Question | Miscanthus | Wood shavings |
|---|---|---|
| What will I spend? | Check delivered price, first-fill quantity and actual weekly top-ups. | Use the same calculation, including collection or delivery costs. |
| What about dust? | Ask about the specific product's processing and dust control. | Ask for good-quality, dust-extracted bedding intended for horses. |
| Will it suit my routine? | Follow the supplier's instructions and record how the bed performs. | Check the manufacturer's recommended depth and maintenance routine. |
| Can I store and handle it? | Confirm pack size, delivery access and dry storage before ordering. | Compare bale size and handling, rather than price per bale alone. |
| What happens to the waste? | Check that your muck collector or composting arrangement accepts it. | Make the same check before changing bedding. |
The British Horse Society notes that wood-shavings quality varies considerably, especially dust content, and that dust-extracted shavings can have low dust levels. It also warns against unsuitable low-quality sawmill by-products, which may contain splinters or other waste. Read the BHS guide to bedding types.
Cost: compare the finished bed, not the bale price
A low price per bag does not tell you the weekly cost of keeping a horse bedded. Our recommendation is to record the amount used for the initial bed separately from routine top-ups, then add delivery and waste-removal charges where applicable.
Weekly running cost = bedding used during the week × delivered cost per unit, plus any attributable disposal cost. Use kilograms or a consistent pack size so that the comparison is like for like.
For example, imagine one product costs £10 per bag and your horse uses 1.5 bags a week: the bedding cost is £15. If another costs £12 and you use one bag a week, it costs £12. These are illustrative figures, not Nanhoron prices or measured usage; they show why consumption matters as much as the price label.
For a first-year estimate, add the initial bed, top-ups for the number of weeks actually stabled and any full replacements. Do not assume 52 weeks of overnight stabling if your horse lives out for part of the year. Our guide to planning miscanthus bedding quantities is a useful starting point, but your own usage record should decide the budget.
Compare current options on our horse-bedding page, checking the relevant product's delivery terms before ordering. We do not promise a fixed percentage saving against every shavings brand or every stable routine.
Dust and respiratory health: choose the product, not the slogan
It would be misleading to say that all shavings are dusty or that all miscanthus is dust-free. Ask suppliers what dust-control measures they use and whether comparative claims are supported by like-for-like testing.
The British Horse Society lists dust-extracted wood shavings among low-dust options for horses with equine asthma. Its advice also covers ventilation, forage, dry storage and daily mucking out, so bedding should be considered as one part of the horse's environment. See the BHS equine-asthma guidance.
If your horse coughs, has a diagnosed respiratory condition or is on veterinary-directed box rest, ask your vet about the appropriate bedding and management routine. A change of material is not a treatment or a guarantee against respiratory symptoms.
Absorbency and mucking out: run a fair yard trial
Rather than relying on an unsourced claim that one material absorbs several times more liquid, compare what happens in your stable. Keep a simple record of top-up quantities, wet bedding removed, time spent and the condition of the bed.
We suggest recording your current routine first, then trialling the alternative under similar conditions where practical. Note changes in turnout, weather or hours stabled so you do not credit the bedding for a change in the horse's routine.
- Record the initial fill separately from ongoing maintenance.
- Weigh top-ups, or count consistent portions of a known-size bale.
- Time mucking out using the same method each day.
- Note any bare patches, visible dust or changes in how your horse uses the bed.
- Stop the trial and seek advice if the horse appears uncomfortable or develops symptoms.
Nanhoron's usage guidance recommends a bed around 3–4 inches deep, daily spot cleaning and weekly top-ups, adjusted to the setup. Although that guide describes deep-litter use, the BHS identifies deep litter as the least suitable bedding system for respiratory health; do not choose that routine for a respiratory-sensitive horse without veterinary advice. Read the BHS management advice.
Storage, delivery and the muck heap
Before committing to a pallet, measure the storage space and check how the delivery will reach it. Compare the weight you will actually need to lift, access through gates and doors, and whether you can keep opened bedding protected.
The BHS recommends storing bedding and forage away from the stable in a dry, sheltered space. Packaging alone should not replace a suitable storage plan. See the BHS storage guidance.
We recommend checking disposal arrangements before switching, too. Ask your collector what they accept and how charges are calculated; if you compost on site, get advice suited to your heap and intended end use. Do not build the buying decision around a guaranteed composting time or a promised reduction in waste volume.
When shavings may be the better choice
Staying with a good-quality shavings product may make sense if it already suits your horse, is easy to obtain in manageable quantities and works within your budget. There is no need to switch simply because a comparison article tells you to.
Equally, miscanthus is worth considering if you want to trial an alternative and can arrange suitable supply, storage and handling. Let the trial establish whether it improves your own costs and routine, rather than treating a supplier's headline saving as a prediction.
How to plan a switch
Check the new product's instructions before laying the bed. Our recommendation is to begin with a clean, dry stable and a clear maintenance plan; do not cover over wet, mouldy or otherwise contaminated bedding to avoid throwing it away.
If you want to mix bedding types during a transition, check with the supplier first. For horses with respiratory problems or other medical needs, agree the approach with your vet rather than using a generic layering method. Monitor the horse closely and keep your first purchase proportionate to the trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is miscanthus cheaper than wood shavings?
It depends on delivered prices, first-fill quantities, top-ups and your stable routine. Compare the actual cost per horse per week; there is no single saving that applies to every yard.
Are dust-extracted shavings suitable for a horse with asthma?
The BHS includes them among low-dust bedding options. Your vet should guide the choice for an affected horse, alongside forage, ventilation and hygiene. Read the BHS guidance.
How deep should a Nanhoron miscanthus bed be?
Our general starting guidance is around 3–4 inches, with daily spot cleaning and weekly top-ups adjusted to the stable. Check the product instructions and any veterinary requirements for your horse. See how to use Nanhoron bedding.
Can I keep the old bed when I switch?
Do not retain dirty or unsuitable bedding simply to reduce waste. Ask the supplier whether mixing is appropriate for the products involved and seek veterinary advice where health concerns are the reason for changing.
Should I buy a full pallet straight away?
We recommend checking delivery access, storage and expected usage first. If you are trying a new bedding type, compare the available order sizes before committing to bulk supply.
Choose what works for your horse and your yard
The useful comparison is not a blanket claim that miscanthus beats shavings. It is a measured look at comfort, hygiene, dust, weekly consumption and the practical work of keeping your horse bedded.
Ready to compare your options? Explore Nanhoron horse bedding and check the product and delivery details for your yard. Use the checklist above to make the decision with your horse's needs first.
