Basic bedding

The optimum mattress
In order to take full advantage of EURO-LIN, a firm mattress must be created and maintained. The mattress bedding saves bedding material, protects the horse's joints and hooves, provides a warm surface and prevents the development of ammonia (if applied correctly). For a horse box of 10 to 12 square meters, 3 to 5 bales of EURO-LIN are required; the bedding height should initially be 5 to 7 cm. To activate the capillary system of the linen straw (optimal binding of urine) and to accelerate mattress formation, the fresh bedding can be moistened evenly with 5 to 10 liters of water from a watering can.

Care of the mattress

The first week
During the first week, the mattress slowly builds up. The lower, firmly trodden part serves as a heat insulator and urine binder, while the upper part remains dry and loose. During this time, only the horse droppings need to be removed daily (the more often, the better) and the top layer raked smooth.

Daily maintenance
After the first week, the horse droppings should continue to be removed daily and the top layer should be leveled. The very wet areas of the linen straw only need to be carefully removed once or twice a week and the appropriate amount of fresh material (usually 0.5 to 1 bale per week) sprinkled on top. The bottom layer of the bedding should not be loosened or turned over if possible, as it is the ingress of oxygen into the bottom layer that leads to ammonia formation. As with all bedding, it is advisable to change the entire bedding and clean the box twice a year for reasons of hygiene.

Sufficient roughage
Due to its natural bitter substances, flax straw is generally not eaten by horses. However, due to boredom or unbalanced feeding, some horses tend to "stuff" themselves with everything from the paddock fence to the stall wall to the bedding. Although flax straw, like other cereal straw, is easily digested, ingesting large quantities can of course lead to digestive problems. For this reason, it is important to ensure that the horses do not ingest excessive amounts of bedding, especially for the initial bedding, e.g. by providing sufficient roughage.

Economic efficiency

Cost-effective: only 2 to 4 bales per month
EURO-LIN in 20 kg bales is easy to handle and has a large spreading volume. For the initial bedding of a 10 to 12 m² box, 3 to 5 bales are required; depending on consumption, around 0.5 to 1 bale per week is then added. This results in an average monthly requirement of approx. 2 to 4 bales of EURO-LIN. Delivery is made on disposable pallets (1.00 m × 1.20 m × 2.45 m) with 25 bales each. For safe transportation and optimum storage, these are wrapped in a hood and stretch film for stability and moisture protection.

Economical: less work, significant time savings
Spreading EURO-LIN is worthwhile in several aspects. The reduced workload (in addition to the daily removal of horse droppings, the removal of wet patches and bedding is only necessary about once a week) results in significant time savings. The low and easily calculable consumption of the bedding further reduces costs. The storage capacity required for the bedding can be reduced by 85% compared to straw and the low manure waste leads to a considerable reduction in disposal costs.

Disposal

Environmentally friendly: less manure, faster decomposition
EURO-LIN reduces the amount of manure produced by up to 75% due to the low consumption of bedding. Thanks to the special structure, the removal of linseed and the thorough rooting of EURO-LIN, the manure produced is subject to rapid and, above all, complete biodegradation: the decomposition period is only around three months! EURO-LIN is therefore an ideal fertilizer with a neutral pH value. Disposal problems, such as those associated with sawdust and wood shavings, are therefore a thing of the past.

Cultivation

Our flax, one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world, grows on large fields in Normandy, France. Careful cultivation guarantees that there are no pesticide residues in the flax or linen raw material. After 100 days of growth, the linen reaches a height of around one meter; the harvest can begin. The flax is not cut, but "rooted" out of the ground. This is followed by "breaking" and "swinging". The inner part of the flax plant that is protected from environmental influences, the "shives", is the raw material for flax straw.

Refinement

However, in order to meet the high requirements for optimum horse bedding (absorbent, low-dust, economical and ecological), this linen straw still has to undergo a number of refinement processes before it can become EURO-LIN.

In a first step, fiber residues and dust are removed. The linen straw then passes through a multi-stage tumbler screen where fibers, roots, impurities and linseed are removed, as these have virtually no absorption capacity and rot poorly. The remaining dust still adhering to the shives is then removed in a two-stage dedusting system. Only this complex, multiple cleaning process guarantees the unique EURO-LIN premium quality.

Finally, the bales are pressed, packed and stored.