What matters most when horse owners choose stable bedding? Bedmax's 2026 Equine Health & Bedding Survey offers a useful snapshot of the priorities, pressures and buying habits influencing bedding decisions across the UK.The survey was carried out during winter 2025 and received 1,243 responses from horse owners and carers. It covered stabling routines, horse and human respiratory health, bedding preferences, cost pressures and where people prefer to buy. The results do not prove that a particular bedding prevents or treats disease, but they do show which practical features owners value most.The headline findings 60.7% said their horses spend 12 to 18 hours stabled in a typical autumn or winter day. Absorbency was the highest-ranked bedding priority, followed by low dust, hygiene and dependable supply. 44.8% used purpose-made shavings, making this the most common bedding type reported. Cost saving was the main reason given by owners who had changed bedding during the previous year. 69.6% said they preferred to support retailers, while 5% said they currently bought bedding online.Long winter stabling raises the importance of the bedNearly two-thirds of respondents said their horses spend between 12 and 18 hours in the stable during autumn and winter. When a horse is indoors for that length of time, the bed has to do more than look tidy. It needs to absorb moisture, remain comfortable, support routine mucking out and help the owner maintain a clean, well-ventilated stable.The right choice will vary with the horse, flooring, ventilation, available storage, muck-heap arrangements and the amount of time the owner can spend on daily maintenance. This is why the cheapest price per bag does not always produce the lowest cost per week.Absorbency and low dust came before priceRespondents ranked absorbency first, low dust second, hygiene third and dependable supply fourth. Cost came seventh in the overall priority order. That does not mean price is unimportant. It suggests that owners judge value through performance as well as the ticket price. Horse bedding priorities reported in the Bedmax Equine Health & Bedding Survey 2026. Image supplied by Bedmax.These priorities are useful when comparing products in our horse bedding range. Look beyond broad claims and consider how the material is processed, how it manages wet patches, how much clean bedding is lost during mucking out and whether supply is reliable enough for your routine.Purpose-made shavings remained the most common choicePurpose-made shavings were used by 44.8% of respondents. Traditional straw accounted for 9.7%, straw pellets for 9.3%, small by-product shavings for 7.4% and wood pellets for 5.4%.Bedmax also reported a rise in owners combining bedding types, including shavings over a pellet base. A layered system can help some owners balance absorbency, surface comfort and waste reduction. It still needs to be set up and maintained according to the manufacturers' instructions, and it will not suit every horse or stable.For example, Bedmax Strawmax straw pellets can form an absorbent bed after they have been watered and allowed to expand. Bedmax large-flake pine shavings provide a purpose-made shavings option, while Littlemax fine pine shavings offer a lighter, smaller-flake alternative.Cost pressures are changing behaviourAmong respondents who had changed bedding in the previous 12 months, 31.2% identified cost saving as the main reason. Dust levels accounted for 19.7%, availability for 16.5% and quality problems for 8%.In a separate question about the economy, 23.5% said they had moved to a cheaper bedding and 24.2% said they bought less. Half said the economy had not changed their bedding-buying decisions.Before switching, compare the complete weekly system: initial quantity, top-up rate, clean bedding lost during mucking out, disposal volume, delivery cost and the labour involved. Our guide to reducing horse bedding costs explains how to assess value without relying on the bag price alone.Most respondents preferred to support retailersBedmax found that 69.6% of respondents preferred to support retailers. Only 5% said they currently bought bedding online. For a bulky, frequently purchased stable essential, owners may value dependable stock, local knowledge and the ability to discuss single-bale and bulk options. Bedding-buying preferences reported in the Bedmax Equine Health & Bedding Survey 2026. Image supplied by Bedmax.A practical bedding checklistWhen comparing bedding, ask: How well does it absorb urine and keep the surface dry? Is it purpose-made, dust-extracted or otherwise processed for equine use? Can it provide the depth and cushioning required for this horse? How easy is it to separate clean bedding from droppings and wet patches? How much bedding is likely to be used and discarded each week? Will the material suit the yard's muck-heap, composting and disposal arrangements? Can the chosen product be obtained consistently throughout the year?Good bedding still depends on good management. Remove droppings promptly, take out wet or contaminated material as needed, top up before the bed becomes thin and keep ventilation clear. See our horse bedding maintenance tips for a practical routine.Choosing Bedmax bedding at Chestnut MillChestnut Mill stocks several Bedmax bedding formats so owners can choose according to the horse and stable: Bedmax Shavings: purpose-made, dust-extracted large-flake pine shavings. Littlemax Shavings: a lighter, finer pine-shavings bed designed for quick handling and maintenance. Strawmax Pellets: absorbent, heat-treated and dust-extracted straw pellets made from British straw.You can also read our closer look at Bedmax shavings or browse the full horse bedding collection to compare brands and materials.Survey figures are taken from the Bedmax Equine Health & Bedding Survey 2026. Percentages are reported by Bedmax and may not total 100% where respondents could select more than one answer or figures were rounded. Bedding supports stable comfort and hygiene but does not diagnose, prevent or treat illness. Ask your vet for advice if your horse has respiratory, hoof, skin or mobility concerns.