In The Sulky Forum
General Category => General Harness Racing Discussion => Topic started by: Just Saying on December 03, 2011, 06:19:09 PM
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We've had a reliable supplier of sawdust for many years, it's a by-product of their business. We buy it delivered in bulk by the truckload and run it as a co-op for the horsemen who want to bed on it. We only charge what we have to pay for it & add it onto the stall rent. Well... the economy is so bad here that the supplier isn't cutting enough lumber to have much dust, so they don't have much to sell.
When they can't deliver we have to go to a feed store and buy bags of bedding that cost a whole lot more. Today when I went to buy some, the kid at the feed store told me they were having a hard time getting the bagged stuff. We can't use straw here, so it's quickly becoming a pain in the arse.
I sure hope something changes in this country to get the economy running again, or lack of horse bedding might be our least problem.
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Peat moss is a great alternative. thumbsup
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Peat moss is great on feet too,but I don't like it in the winter.
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We've had a reliable supplier of sawdust for many years, it's a by-product of their business. We buy it delivered in bulk by the truckload and run it as a co-op for the horsemen who want to bed on it. We only charge what we have to pay for it & add it onto the stall rent. Well... the economy is so bad here that the supplier isn't cutting enough lumber to have much dust, so they don't have much to sell.
When they can't deliver we have to go to a feed store and buy bags of bedding that cost a whole lot more. Today when I went to buy some, the kid at the feed store told me they were having a hard time getting the bagged stuff. We can't use straw here, so it's quickly becoming a pain in the arse.
I sure hope something changes in this country to get the economy running again, or lack of horse bedding might be our least problem.
We used to get ours from a couple of local millwork shops. When the housing bubble burst, they both went out of business. I asked who they sold their equipment to, thinking I could get sawdust from them, but both places sold it to companies in China.
Straw is getting tough to find, unless you are willing to pay $5.00 a bale...
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Peat moss is a great alternative. thumbsup
Although it's good for the feet , it's way too expensive
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We got it fairly cheaply when I was in the biz. idunno
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Nothing is cheap any more.
Sawdust can be tricky getting......our regular lumber yard dried up years ago, now you are lucky to get a load once a month........but I have a couple other suppliers, just more expensive.........I'd bite off my arm before going back to straw.
Big rumors about straw prices and shortages around here.
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I suppose we are lucky, keeping our horses turned out. What little sawdust we use we get from the cabinet shop down the road and the sawmill 10 miles away.
Wait till that fella that passed up Ga. he went to Fla. Oh boy wait till he starts paying for feed and sawdust! he will have shortness of breath!
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Sawdust can be tricky getting......our regular lumber yard dried up years ago, now you are lucky to get a load once a month........but I have a couple other suppliers, just more expensive.........I'd bite off my arm before going back to straw.
The big chain stores (Home Depot, Lowes and more) continue to kill independent lumber stores (even in small towns).
And it don't stop at the lumber stores. Look at how many independent hardware stores that have existed in families for decades are closed.
In addition, all that you may purchase from the BIG chains in the way of wood is Grade 1, most of which is surfaced-two-sides (which adds to the cost). The many options of wood that were available previously at the independents are no longer available. (try finding Grade #2 or #3, 2 x 4's).
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thumbsup
I've never been a fan of the big guys........can't stand spending an hour walking and looking for what I need..........we are lucky to still have a Mom-n-Pop operation still open close to the track......most times you get front row parking...........grab and go!
Well......stop and pay then go.........but you get what I am saying. dorkusinterruptus
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Nothing is cheap any more.
Sawdust can be tricky getting......our regular lumber yard dried up years ago, now you are lucky to get a load once a month........but I have a couple other suppliers, just more expensive.........I'd bite off my arm before going back to straw.
Big rumors about straw prices and shortages around here.
There is a place I pass by to get to the track that usually has straw and/or hay for $3.50 or $4
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Where at? I'll make sure the guys having trouble know about it.
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Home Depot and Lowes both sell grade 2 material, not grade 1.
I agree they have hurt the little guys a bit, but no more then Wal-Mart did on that spectrum of the world...actually much less.
Cheaper is the american way until it comes to our paychecks, we always want more...
Go figure.
The big chain stores (Home Depot, Lowes and more) continue to kill independent lumber stores (even in small towns).
And it don't stop at the lumber stores. Look at how many independent hardware stores that have existed in families for decades are closed.
In addition, all that you may purchase from the BIG chains in the way of wood is Grade 1, most of which is surfaced-two-sides (which adds to the cost). The many options of wood that were available previously at the independents are no longer available. (try finding Grade #2 or #3, 2 x 4's).
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I have a farmer friend that can supply me with straw at a reasonable price, but the recycling place that takes my manure will only accept sawdust or shavings. They process it and resell it for garden fertilizer/mulch. I don't have to pay for disposal and they don't have to pay for product... a win-win for both of us. Plus, as Amy said, once you've switched from straw to sawdust you'd rather chew off your own arm than go back to straw.
The economy needs to get better so folks go back to building again. Then the sawmills will be cranking out lumber and I can buy the by-product.
The next election will decide whether we'll go that route, or continue our descent into national bankruptcy.
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Where at? I'll make sure the guys having trouble know about it.
route 94 less than a mile north of the 271 exit. Probably hinkley