Conference noted::equitation

    I WILL GIVE YOU NAME OF A PERSON WHO SELLS HAY AND SHAVINGS (BAGGED).
    HE WILL DELIVER IN LARGE QUANTITIES BUT YOU CAN GO TO HIS FARM AND
    PICK UP WHAT YOU NEED.  HE IS USUALLY CHEAPER THAN BUYING AT THE
    FEED STORES.  HIS NAME IS BOB LINGHAM (617) 486-4957 HE LIVES IN
    LITTLETON, MA.
    ALSO IF YOU BUY FROM A LUMBER YARD MAKE SURE THERE IS NO WALNUT
    SAVINGS IN SAVINGS YOU BUY.  THIS CAN CAUSE FOUNDER.

    From the various stables where I was  a working student, the 
    most popular thing to do was to go to the mill, shovel shavings
    in the back of a pickup (the bigger, the better), bring them
    back and store them in a shed that had a cement floor.  From all
    the time I was there, I never saw a rodent, and the shavings didn't
    rot.  Maybe if you poured a square of concrete, and just built some
    type of  shelter just the keep them dry (like a coal box?) it would
    be enough...We always got the shavings for free, so the investment
    in the shed really paid off.

    I get shavings from Top-O-The-Hill Farm in Groton.  They deliver
    in quantity, with the smallest amount available being 60 bags.
    At $2.50 a bag I save $1.00 a bag over the grain mill price.
    They also have hay but I think they're too expensive - about
    $170 a ton.  I can do better.
    
    I be interested to hear if Bob Lingham is cheaper for shavings
    than $2.50 a bag.
    
    Gwen
    

    
    	I just got 100 bags of shavings from Top of the Hill farm
    	delivered for 2.60 a bag! Still better than the grain mills!
    
    	Becky

    IF YOU ARE GOING TO GET SHAVINGS FROM A MILL SOMETHING THAT NO ONE
    HAS MENTIONED YET IS THAT IF YOU STORE THEM IN ANY KIND OF A CLOSED
    AREA YOU MAY END UP WITH A  "FIRE".....
    
    YOU SEE THE SHAVINGS THAT YOU GET IN BAGS AT THE FEED STORES OR
    WHERE EVER ARE ALL KILN DRIED SHAVINGS. THE SAW DUST AND SHAVINGS
    AT A MILL IS WET AND IS ONLY AIR DRIED. SO IF YOU GO TO A SAW MILL
    MAKE SURE TO STORE THESE SHAVINGS OR SAW DUST SEPERATE FROM YOUR
    LIVESTOCK OR YOU MAY REGRET IT......................
    
    I ALSO GET MY SAW DUST FROM A SAW MILL AND I ONLY GO AND GET A PICKUP
    TRUCK LOAD AS MY STALLS EMPTY OUT. THIS SAW DUST FROM THE MILLS
    FREEZES DURING THE COLD WEATHER AND IS A PAIN TO CLEAN THE STALL
    WITH "EVERYTHING" FREEZING, INCLUDING THE BEDDING.
    
    GOOD LUCK...
    
    TERRY

    Thanx for all the replies. I called Bob Lingham to price shavings
    but he wasn't in. He in turn never returned my call, therefore I'll
    pass on ignorance.
    
    We are using shave/sawdust from schools that is pretty fine, and
    yes it does freeze, but we toss the shavings against the wall in
    piles. This brakes it up good enough for complete cleening. 
    
    Thanx for mentioning possible fire hazard. We will most definitely
    build a shed of some sort outside and away from our stable. Looks
    like we'll just clean out building 19? of plastic garbage cans to
    be used for storing shavings in the shed. Just another summer project.
    
    Thanx for the input guys/gals. 
    

    I think (but don't quote me on it :^)) that Bob Lingham charges
    $2.50 a bag for shavings.

    Since we have a number of horses, we get our bedding in bulk.  They
    deliver (dump) into a concrete bin that has bulkhead doors for
    convenience.  However, if I remember correctly we get about seven
    cords for $236 a load.
    They are kiln dried and have never frozen on us yet.  We have gone
    the route of having them dumped on the ground and then have had
    to
    take a chain saw to them during the winter...never again.
    
    I am not sure the company is taking on any new customers but if
    anyone is interested I would be more than happy to supply the name.
     However, the load can't be split up; it has to be a one stop delivery.
     
    Good luck in your search...they are rally going out of sight in
    cost.
    

    We also have a number of horses and purchase shavings in large
    quantities from mills.  The way we handle this is to rent or
    borrow from a nearby dairy farm a conveyer (electrically driven)
    shovelling the shavings into the bottom of the conveyer it takes
    them up to the second floor and dumps them in the shavings bin.
    using this method we can move 1/2 a tractor trailer load in
    about 3 hours (2 people).  We have trap doors over each stall, so
    you just open the trap, drop the needed amount of shavings, rake
    them around and your done.  No double handling, and I like that.
    Although I am not aware of anyone currently who owns one a
    company I purchased from many years ago had a blower just for
    this purpose, but I also remember the mess after which took
    months to clean up.  Those darn loose shavings get into every 
    nook and cranny of a barn.
    
    As far as having the shavings heat up I believe as long as there
    is good air circulation this should not be a problem, at least
    I have never had this happen.  

    
    I've always had loose kiln dried shavings stored outside under
    a tarp. Other than just the outer part of the pile freezing,
    I haven't encountered any problems or dissatisfaction.  It saves
    many $$$$ over bagged shavings.
    
    -M-
    

    While I was waiting for my shaving bin to be built I used 2 Tarps.
    16 by 20's. One was placed on the ground and the other on top. I
    tied the corners together to keep out the water/snow. I found this
    to work very well and in the winter they did freeze a bit but not
    as bad as shaving/saw dust on the ground.
    

   
    	Hi,
    
    	I'm looking for a lumber yard around southern NH area that delivers
    	sawdust or savings inbulk but not in bags.  Feuer Lumber in
    	Atkinson used to deliver to my barn but they no longer carry
    	sawdust.  Thanks for any replys!
    
    
    	Zina

    When we lived in Peterborough, NH we used to get our sawdust from
    Bingham Lumber in Brookline, NH.  They had two sizes of tractor
    trailers (both with live beds).  Can't remember the prices, but they
    probably have changed anyways.  I don't know if they carry shavings but
    they did have sawdust.
    
    						Jan

    Gil Schoales in Winchendon sells shavings by the trailer.
    Phone (508)297-2191
    
    Karen