Stable Decisions: Which Infill is Best for You?

By: Loddon Stables

Black ployethylene

Grey polyethylene

Once you’ve decided on the style, layout and accessories for your stable, all that is left to decide is what product you would like to use for the infill of your stables. It is important to undertake your research on the infills used by different suppliers in order to ensure you have made the safest choice for your horse in their new sanctuary. 

With over 50 years of experience using tried and tested materials, Loddon currently offer three choices: Recycled Polyethylene, Bamboo and an A-Grade Denya Hardwood. Each of these possesses different qualities, both aesthetically and practically and finding out which best fulfils your requirements will ensure that day in, day out you are happy with your decision.

Denya:

Denya is a gorgeous looking African A-Grade Hardwood, and has been our hardwood of choice for the past decade. The main advantage of hardwood is the aesthetics appearance as our customers’ tend to prefer the natural wood effect. This is a durable hardwood that is almost as strong as teak and has a high natural resistance to attack my decay, fungi and termites. Hardwood, as the name suggests is very strong, it happily withstands everything that is thrown its way and will put up with the strongest of kicks, without splintering.

The disadvantage of using hardwood is that it has a tendency to shrink and move over a period of time in humid environments, although the Denya is classed as a low movement hardwood. Being a natural product the hardwood does require some maintenance and it is advised that it be coated with protective oil, such as teak oil on an annual basis. When applied, the oil is absorbed into the wood ensuring that it keeps its beautiful exterior a number of years.

Recycled Polyethylene:

Recycled Polyethylene is fast becoming our most popular infill due to its benefits and qualities. Polyethylene Boarding is a sustainable product that is recycled from waste material and is incredibly strong and resilient with little to no visible signs of wear. It is a dense, solid material that is crack, chip and splinter proof, which is virtually maintenance free and will not move in the variations in humidity like with other infill options.

This material has a slightly rubbery make-up making it resistant to day to day kicking and gnawing from a mischievous occupant. It also absorbs the impact from the horse when struck, making this a safer option on joints.

The advantages of this product are that it can be pressure washed, steam cleaned and disinfected with no ill effect. Additionally, no micro-organisms can live in the product because it is a non-organic material.

Bamboo:

We also offer Bamboo as an infill; a marriage between the aesthetic qualities of Hardwood and the low-maintenance endurance of the Recycled Polyethylene. Bamboo is extremely sustainable made out of a fast growing grass that is an environmentally friendly, renewable resource that does not affect the world’s already dwindling resources.

Ordinary manufacturing methods laminate the fibres on top of one another, but the strand method weaves the fibre in an adhesive base, forming a much stronger material. This is stronger, harder and more stable than almost any other hardwood alternative and has a tensile strength to rival steel. It also has a polished finish that you would expect with the Denya Hardwood.

The main advantage of using Bamboo over hardwood is that it doesn’t move with the humidity and can be lightly pressure cleaned for maximum hygiene. However, it is important to ensure that your supplier has undertaken stringent testing on this product as mould can develop on bamboo if the strand woven process hasn’t been undertaken properly. After testing a number bamboo supplies over 12 months in numerous weather conditions, Loddon can safely offer this in our infill range with no ill effect.

It is important to understand the qualities and benefits of each infill in order to choose the perfect combination of design and materials for your horse. Doing your research will help you to make an educated decision on making your next equestrian project safe and beautiful. 

Quick Links

• Read more about Loddon Stables and Killahy Constructions who will install them for you in Australia
• Visit the Loddon Stables website