Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40076033›Full record

ReviewAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI2025

A Literature Review on Equine Bedding: Impacts on Horse and Human Welfare, Health, and the Environment.

Naod Thomas Masebo, Beatrice Benedetti, Maria Mountricha, Leonie Lee, Barbara Padalino

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Systematic Literature Review on Donkeys (Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2025
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Naod Thomas MaseboDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9616-5015
Beatrice BenedettiDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-6897-3103
Maria MountrichaDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9114-6352
Leonie LeeEquined, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.
Barbara PadalinoDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7630-8285

Funding

European Food Safety Authority GP/EFSA/ALPHA/2021/10 Animal Welfare
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Bedding is an important component of equine accommodation management. Choosing the right bedding is important for stable management and its selection may include considerations such as the sourcing of the material, the capital investment and ongoing costs, delivery, storage, installation, ongoing labour and maintenance, removal and disposal. Furthermore, it is crucial that the consequences for the health and welfare of horses and humans and the impact on the environment should also be considered. This review aimed to outline the advantages and disadvantages of different horse bedding types, focusing on their effects on the well-being of horses, humans, and the environment. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique was used as the methodology for this review. The search was performed in Scopus and Web of Science bibliometric databases and a total of 176 records were screened reading the title and the abstract. After screening, 58 records were retained and another 19 records were identified using their reference lists (i.e., snowballing). Therefore, a total of 77 records were considered. Straw and wood shavings were the most commonly used and studied bedding materials, while research on alternative options remains limited. Straw is identified as horses' preferred option, while shavings appear to be the easiest to clean, making them the preferred choice for stable workers. The parameters to consider when choosing the bedding most fit for purpose are many and their attributes differ across the various bedding types. This review has compared all the bedding types within the research literature to determine the best overall option using the research-based evidence. Each bedding type offers unique benefits and drawbacks summarised in a user-friendly table. Stable managers must consider and evaluate them to suit their specific needs, including the health and welfare of each horse and the husbandry system involved. Our findings may, therefore, be useful in the decision-making process of equine industry members.

Indexed as

One Welfarestrawsustainabilitywell-beingwood shavings

Identifiers

PMID40076033
PMCPMC11899278

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.