As horse owners look for more efficient and sustainable manure management methods, bedding choice plays a crucial role. While hemp bedding is commonly used for smaller farm animals such as chickens and rabbits, it is gaining popularity as a sustainable option for horses. Learn how hemp stall bedding can improve manure decomposition and create a healthier environment for both horses and handlers.
What is Hemp?
Hemp, or "industrial hemp", is a plant in the botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial and consumable use. It was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth.
How Hemp Stall Bedding Works
Hemp stall bedding is made from the stalk of the hemp plant, also known as the hurd. The hurd is dried and mulched into a straw-like structure to create the bedding. Hemp is quickly becoming a preferred alternative to traditional shavings and wood pellets for horse stall management.
Common uses:
Hemp can be refined into a variety of commercial items, including:
- Paper and rope
- Textiles and clothing
- Biodegradable plastics
- Paint and insulation
- Biofuel
- Food and animal feed
Benefits of Using Hemp Bedding for Horses
Highly Absorbent
Hemp bedding is highly absorbent, up to four times more so than pine shavings or straw. This can help reduce odor and ammonia levels in animal enclosures, which can make for healthier animals and a more pleasant environment for humans.
Low Dust
Hemp bedding is less dusty than other bedding types, which can help keep the animals' lungs healthy. It also blows around less in the wind than pine shavings.
Decomposition - What we call "Compost-ability"
Hemp bedding breaks down faster than pine shavings or pellets in compost bins. This is because hemp is comprised primarily of hemicellulose with only 2-10% lignin, whereas the lignin content of wood ranges from 20-35% for both soft and hard wood species.
Hypoallergenic
Hemp is an excellent base material for clothing, bedding, and other items that come in contact with the skin. One of the main reasons for this is that it is hypoallergenic. This means that it does not cause allergic reactions in most people (and livestock, when used as stall bedding).
Sustainable
As stated earlier, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth. As such, hemp production is based on an annual cycle rather than a decades-long cycle for wood products.
Cost Comparison
On a per-bag basis, hemp is typically 50-70% more expensive than an equivalent volume of pine shavings. However, because it is highly absorbent, it takes about half the amount of shavings to accomplish the same performance (i.e. about one bale per 7-10 days).
When factoring in time and labor, hemp can actually lower your total stall management expenses due to the following advantages:
- Reduced cleaning time per stall
- Less manure waste generated
- Fewer trips required to the composting area
- Faster composting cycle, yielding high-quality compost more quickly
Considering Hemp Bedding for Your Horses
Choosing the right stall bedding plays a big role in overall manure management, composting efficiency, and animal health. While hemp bedding for horses may come at a higher upfront cost, its absorbency, compostability, and sustainability make it a worthwhile option to explore—especially for farms focused on reducing waste and improving long-term soil health.
Our Recommendation:
If you're looking to improve your current system, testing hemp bedding in a few stalls is a low-risk way to see how it performs in your specific environment. For a month or two, give hemp a try in a few of your horse stalls and decide for yourself if it's the smart alterative. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
If you are looking to improve your manure composting process, read our full horse manure composting guide to get expert tips and best practices.