Bedding Materials for Horses in Canada 2025: Top 5 Low-Dust, Compostable Options (Vet-Backed Guide to Absorption & Respiratory Health)

Guardian Horse Bedding Pellets are a compressed wood pellet option prized for high absorbency and minimal dust, making them a strong choice for horse owners prioritizing stall dryness and lower long-term disposal volume. They hold their position as a market leader for cost-effective long-term use compared with loose shavings, offering reduced bedding consumption and easier stall maintenance relative to higher upfront cost options like hemp or premium cedar. Compared to miscanthus and pine shavings, the pellets minimize haul-away weight and tend to deliver the best price per effective day of bedding in typical equine stables.

Sunflower Premium Pine Shavings offer soft, readily available pine fibers that are inexpensive up front and comfortable underfoot, which makes them a popular economical choice for large barns and routine stall topping. They stand out financially against specialty products such as hemp and miscanthus by delivering lower initial cost, although they usually require more frequent full replacement and can be bulkier to remove and transport. Technically, the natural absorbency and cushioning compare well to cedar in comfort but lack the same level of odor or insect control marketed by some aromatic shavings.

Aubiose Hemp Bedding is a premium, highly absorbent hemp fiber bedding engineered for low dust, antimicrobial properties, and superior ammonia control, making it ideal for horses with respiratory sensitivities. It earns a best-in-class position for health-focused stables and long-term value despite a higher purchase price, because its extended usable life and reduced frequency of full cleanouts can offset initial cost compared with pine or cedar. Technically it outperforms many wood-based options in moisture locking and biodegradability, while remaining lighter to handle than some bulky shavings.

Miscanthus Magic Horse Bedding uses processed miscanthus grass to deliver exceptional absorbency and low moisture weight, which cuts hauling costs for manure removal and reduces overall bedding volumes. It has become a market leader for barns seeking a middle ground between the low-cost pine shavings and the premium hemp option, offering competitive per-stall economics and strong technical performance on odor control and compostability. Compared with pellets, miscanthus provides a looser, more comfortable footing, and unlike cedar, it avoids strong aromatic oils while still giving notable odor management.