Canola Shavings

What is Canola Bedding?

 

Canola is a widely grown crop in South Africa, cultivated primarily for its oil-rich seeds. Once the seeds have been harvested, the remaining stalks are baled into canola bales. These bales are commonly used as a supplementary feed for cattle, but at Equusnola, we've taken this versatile agricultural by-product a step further by processing the bales into our premium canola shavings for horse bedding.

 

What makes canola such an exceptional bedding material is the natural honeycomb-like structure found within each stalk. These tiny fibres act like thousands of miniature sponges, rapidly absorbing and locking away moisture while helping to reduce ammonia build-up and unpleasant odours. The result is a cleaner, drier, and healthier stable environment for your horses.

 

By giving canola bales a second purpose as premium equine bedding, we're able to make use of a renewable, locally sourced resource that might otherwise only be used as livestock feed

 

Why Choose Canola Bedding?

 

Our Canola Bedding is made from premium-quality chopped canola straw, offering a cleaner, healthier, and more economical alternative to traditional stable bedding. Designed with both horses and owners in mind, it creates a comfortable, dry environment while reducing daily stable maintenance.

Unlike many conventional bedding options, canola bedding provides excellent moisture absorption, helping to keep stables drier and reduce ammonia odours. It also produces minimal dust, creating a healthier stable environment for horses and the people caring for them.

 

 

Key Benefits:

 

Superior Absorbency

Our canola shavings are exceptionally absorbent, rapidly locking away moisture to keep your stable cleaner, drier, and more hygienic. Their superior absorbency means less wet bedding, fewer top-ups, and a longer-lasting bed, making stable maintenance easier and more economical.

 

Naturally Controls Ammonia Odours

By absorbing urine quickly and efficiently, canola shavings help minimise ammonia build-up, reducing the strong stable odours commonly associated with traditional bedding. The result is a fresher, healthier environment with improved air quality for both horses and their owners.

 

Promotes Healthy Hooves

Dry bedding plays an important role in hoof health. By keeping moisture levels low, canola shavings help create conditions that discourage thrush, bacterial growth, and other moisture-related hoof problems, supporting stronger, healthier feet throughout the year.

 

Naturally Enhances Coat Shine

Canola naturally contains beneficial plant oils that can help enhance your horse's coat. As horses spend time lying and rolling in the bedding, these natural oils may help leave the coat looking cleaner, softer, and glossier. Many horse owners notice an improvement in their horse's natural shine when using canola bedding regularly.

 

Soft, Comfortable Bedding

The finely chaffed texture creates a soft, cushioned bed that provides excellent comfort and support. It helps reduce pressure on joints and hocks while encouraging horses to lie down and rest comfortably.

 

Cost-Effective

Thanks to its exceptional absorbency and durability, canola bedding lasts longer than many conventional bedding materials. Whether used as traditional bedding or in a deep litter system, you'll often use fewer bags over time, reducing both bedding costs and daily labour.

 

Sustainable & Locally Produced

Made from 100% locally grown canola straw, our bedding is biodegradable, renewable, and environmentally friendly. Every bag supports local South African farmers while making use of a sustainable agricultural by-product that would otherwise go to waste.

 

 

How to Use EquusNola Canola Shavings

 

Whether you prefer traditional daily mucking out or the popular deep litter method, EquusNola Canola Shavings performs exceptionally well. Its high absorbency, low dust, and natural odour control make it suitable for every type of stable management.

 

Traditional Stable Bedding

Perfect for owners who prefer a completely clean bed every day.

 

How to Set Up

  • Spread 2–3 bags evenly across a clean, dry stable.
  • Aim for a comfortable bed depth of approximately 5–10 cm.
  • Allow your horse to settle the bedding naturally.
  • Daily Maintenance
  • Remove all droppings.
  • Remove wet bedding each day.
  • Top up with fresh canola bedding as needed.
  • Completely replace the bed whenever necessary.

 

Why Choose This Method?

✔ Always looks fresh and clean.
✔ Ideal for horses spending less time in the stable.
✔ Quick and simple daily routine.
✔ Easy to monitor urine output and manure.

 

Deep Litter Bedding

A favourite among professional yards, competition stables, and busy horse owners looking to save time and bedding.

Instead of removing the entire bed each day, only the droppings and heavily soiled patches are removed. The clean, compacted base remains in place, creating a warm, supportive mattress that continues to absorb moisture.

 

How to Set Up

  • Start with 4–5 bags for a standard 3 m × 4 m stable.
  • Spread the bedding evenly to create a deep, cushioned base.
  • Allow your horse a few days to compact the bedding naturally.
  • Daily Maintenance
  • Remove all droppings.
  • Remove only the wettest bedding when necessary.
  • Level the remaining bedding.
  • Add fresh bedding regularly to maintain the depth.
  • Weekly Top-Up
  • Most stables only require around one bag per week, depending on the horse and how much time they spend indoors.

 

Why Horse Owners Love Deep Litter

✔ Uses less bedding over time.
✔ Saves time during daily mucking out.
✔ Excellent moisture absorption.
✔ Reduces ammonia odours.
✔ Creates a soft, supportive bed for joints and hooves.
✔ Keeps horses warm and comfortable during winter.

 

 

No matter which method you choose, EquusNola Canola Bedding delivers the same benefits—high absorbency, low dust, natural odour control, and a comfortable, hygienic environment your horse will love.

 

Contact us today and place your order!