Getting out among our fellow animal people is a highlight of our work. We did just that at the Western States Horse Expo earlier this month.
The amazing mix of horsemanship education, entertainment and shopping took place at the Murieta Equestrian Center near Sacramento, California. Even though Airlite Premium Cardboard Bedding has been available for 10 years, the concept of cardboard for animal bedding is still relatively new – especially in the West.
So, it was extra fun to see the “I get it!” look of discovery on the faces of many attendees digging their hands into our booth’s bucket of Airlite. We answered many questions about cardboard bedding, clarified some misperceptions and met a lot of wonderful people.
The most frequently asked questions follow. But first, big thanks to two early Airlite and Thymox Botanical Disinfectant advocates who planted the seeds for our Horse Expo success and our growing embrace in the West.
They are Grace Kamphefner of Flying Change Farms, and Craig Lyman, who owns Douglas Tack and Apparel and Douglas Feed. Grace’s farm is in the Sacramento area’s Loomis, and Craig’s business is a community fixture for animal owners throughout the region.
All 40 horses at Grace’s training and boarding facility are on Airlite bedding. The lifelong horsewoman’s embrace of Airlite convinced Craig to introduce it to Douglas’s many customers. Grace and Craig are also big believers in Airlite’s companion in maintaining healthy animal environments – Thymox Botanical Disinfectant.
Cardboard Bedding FAQs – as Asked at Horse Expo in California
Q: It’s recycled cardboard, right?
A: Yes and no! Airlite is made of pre-consumer cardboard. It comes to our warehouse as bundled sheets of clean, unused cardboard. It has not been through the waste stream, so Airlite does not have inks, sprays, dyes, food, pesticides, oils or other contaminants.
The pre-consumer cardboard sheets are typically intended for product boxes. The product manufacturer has changed the product’s packing dimensions, so the cardboard needs to be re-pulped and pressed into different dimensions. (That’s a very energy intensive process, btw.)
Q: How absorbent is Airlite?
A: About 5X as absorbent as wood shavings. So it lasts much longer than shavings and it doesn’t break down to dust quickly.
Q: No dust, right?
A: Yes! No dust. Many Olympic equestrians insist on Airlite bedding because the no-dust factor supports respiratory health that’s critical to performance. All horses and animals benefit from a low-dust environment. People benefit, too!
Q: Will the pieces fly away in the wind?
A: Much less so than shavings do. Airlite is indeed “lite” weight – which is great for stall picking, but its square and rectangular-shaped pieces help it stay grounded. It’s a great complement to good ventilation because it stays on the ground even when air is circulating nicely. Horse haulers love it because it doesn’t swirl around while underway.
Q: What does Airlite cost?
A: Airlite comes in 20-pound and 30-pound bags that are usually priced similarly to shavings when considered by coverage area. Twenty pounds of Airlite typically covers 5-6 cubic feet; and 30 pounds typically covers 16+ cubic feet.
Cost savings are realized with Airlite over time because:
- Airlite lasts longer than shavings. It maintains its structure and loft and does not break down to dust quickly.
- Airlite’s super absorbency means that less of it needs to be removed.
- Airlite makes wonderful compost material and it can be spread on fields and pastures. It’s pH neutral, so it does not turn grass brown. These factors reduce or eliminate disposal costs.
- Airlite’s dust-free quality is great for animals’ respiratory health, helping to reduce veterinary visits.
Our retailers sell Airlite at prices shown in the ranges below:
Standard – 30 lb bag/16+ cubic feet = $16.99 to $22.99
Medium – 20-lb bag/5-6 cubic feet = $8.99 to $12.99
Purchased directly from Green Horse Brands, Airlite’s delivered price-per-bag decreases significantly with quantities of 1-10 pallets. Request a direct ship quote here.
Q: Where can I get Airlite Cardboard Bedding?
A: Airlite is available at retailers throughout the country. Find a retailer near you here. Or request a direct ship quote here.
