Testimonials
Here at Eco Animal Bedding, we welcome your feedback. Please email us direct on customerfeedback@ecoab.com.au with your comments.
Here are other testimonials from users of this product in Australia and around the world.
Success for Aquanita Racing
'Some Are Bent' has long suffered from low grade respiratory problems.
Scoping the horse revealed mucous in the airway, requiring a course of antibiotics. A recent episode was more severe and put him off track for a long period prompting my vet Dr. Kim McKellar to recommend that he be kept in an environment as dust free as possible, which is when we put him on Eco Animal Bedding.
In the lead up to the AV Hiskens Steeple we moved him to a box with Eco Animal Bedding and this was part of his being able to win this famous race.
I think this bedding is a great option in a case like this and I have no hesitation in recommending this product to other trainer’s.
Robert Smerdon
Equine Centre, University of Melbourne
Eco Animal bedding is the best equine (horse) bedding that I have used. At the Equine Centre, University of Melbourne, we started to use this product to decrease our dust problem for our horses and our employees and students. Eco bedding is highly absorbent, gives excellent orthopaedic support, a non-slip footing and decreases the impact of shavings, sawdust and straw dusts on equine and human respiratory (breathing) systems. We also approve that the product uses 100% recycled cardboard/paper and is biodegradable.
by C.J. (Kate) Savage BVSc(Hons), MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM
Specialist in Equine Medicine
Head, Equine Clinical Services
University of Melbourne, Australia
A Recent Email
I purchased a new pony 6 weeks ago who hadn’t been stabled prior to arriving at our property. She rapidly became extremely sensitive to the pine wood shavings and was coughing but only when stabled overnight. She did not cough in the paddock. Our options were to either stop stabling her each night or source a better product. I found your product on the internet and decided to give it a trial run.
I ordered the bedding from Condell Park Produce and they delivered promptly which was great. My husband and I stripped our two stables completely and replaced the bedding with the Eco-bedding.
Its only now been a week since we replaced the bedding in the stables. The pony’s cough stopped on the second night in her new bedding. We have a virtually dust free environment around the stables now and I am truly amazed at how much our soiled bedding quantities have been reduced by, mainly due to the absorbency of the cardboard. You were definitely spot on when you told me that this would happen and that the odour factor would be reduced. Both of these things have occurred.
So, in a nutshell, we are absolutely over the moon about this product. You just need to find more distributors in NSW!
Kind regards,
Natasha
Horses in Post Surgery
The bedding works well at a very narrow depth for horses that are required to be housed on clean dust free bedding. At a thin depth, it is possible to keep the stable dry and still have fresh material each day. In our case, one bale was used for three days in a 12 foot square stable. On the third day, all the remaining material was removed and a complete fresh bale was put down.
In terms of horses that required a dust free environment due to open wounds after surgery, this bedding appears to be the best alternative to any other sort of bedding currently available. It offers the benefit of some bedding to soak up the urine and manure instead of having to use a bare rubber floor washed out daily. For horses that lay down to rest, this means that the risk of pressure sores is eliminated. The need for two stables was also eliminated. We didn’t need to alternate between stables while one or the other was being washed out and left to dry.
At a slightly deeper depth of four bales to the 12 foot square box, the desired cushioning effect was achieved and overall provided added support. The warmth in the box appeared to have a comforting effect on the horse. The box was turned over each day and the flattened urine soaked matter was removed and one third of a bale was used to top up.
None of the horses appeared to want to eat the bedding. We are yet to trial it on yearlings but hope to get the same result.
The product is dust free and none of the horses became covered with the fine dust that hulls or sawdust produce. Where this is important for coats, such as yearling preparation, this would be a major benefit.
There was no smell from the bedding regardless of what depth it was used, even after it had been in the box for three days.
Just like most bedding, it can be 'walked' out of stables. It is a little hard to clean up with a 'blower' but can be easily removed with a rake.
Regards,
Sue Markwell (B.App.Sc., Dip.App.Sc., Ass.DipApp.Sc.)
Tremon Stud, South Gisborne, Victoria, Australia
Don does it in 'ECO' style
Lightly raced six year old Don Luigi completed a rare feat at last Thursday's Ballarat meeting. Having his second start in as many days, and his third start in five days, Don Luigi finished gallants seconds at Cranbourne and Kilmore before easily accounting for his rivals in a C1 class event in a mile rate of 1.59.5.
Having earnt a cheque in 17 of his 32 lifetime starts, getting Don Luigi to perform to his optimum level has been a challenge for me. He has always shown me a lot of potential, however suffering from a respiratory condition it has been hard to get him to race at his peak.
He performed well in his treks to South Australia and Tasmania but he just wasn’t racing up to his potential and when the horse returned from Tasmania, Robbie Watts (owner) suggested we try Eco Animal Bedding. Not having seen it before I was a little bit skeptical about how we would go, but I have to say it is just amazing.
I first tried it as a non slip surface for the floor of the float and the truck and it worked really well. The horses could travel to the races without slipping and I didn’t have to worry about dust from the shavings blowing up into their faces. It’s also very easy to clean.
I then replaced the shavings in the horse's stall with Eco Animal Bedding. I have no doubts that living on this bedding and creating a dust free environment for the horse has greatly improved his respiratory capabilities and allowed him to race at his peak day after day.
Tony Pullicino
Trainer, Don Luigi
Victoria
A Brilliant Racing Season
The horses be clean and comfortable on their bedding. We had a brilliant racing season last year and we are very happy. We are spending a good racing season this year because the horses our bred had won the Japanese 2000 Guiness, Oaks, and finally Japanese Derby!! And specially, these horses are also by Sunday Silence!
Shigehisa Tanabe, Shadai Farm, Japan
A Superior Bedding
We have been using Airlite for several years now and feel it is superior compared to other traditional bedding materials. We especially like it for foaling out our mares and simply can not be without it for our newborn foals and youngsters!
Chase Arabians
Aubrey, Texas
Thoroughbreds
I see corrugated cardboard bedding as the wave of the future. It's more absorbent than conventional bedding, has helped reduce our instances of fungus causing thrush and it's virtually dust free, thereby reducing respiratory problems. It's a cleaner product and more environmentally friendly than anything we've used in the past. I'm sold.
Val Murrell, Owner/Manager
Clear Creek Stud Farm
www.clearcreekstudllc.com
Ashford Stud
Ashford Stud, owned by Coolmore, used corrugated cardboard bedding at both their farms this summer for their yearlings. Dermot Ryan runs their Kentucky operation based in Versailles, KY and is one of the most respected managers in the Thoroughbred business. At a meeting with Dermot this week at the Keenland Yearling sales, Dermot said that far fewer of their horses tested positive for Pharyngitis this year. Apart from the immediate health benefits this saved them over $400 per horse in treatment and re-testing costs and ensured that all their animals were ready for the sale.
With yearlings at the sale this last two weeks fetching up to a record $8 million and a total of over $300 million in sales, corrugated cardboard bedding has a real part to play in ensuring the health of these fine beasts as well as any other animal.
Rodeo Stock
We were recently able to try corrugated cardboard bedding for trailering our bulls to events. We have always used shavings in the past and were pretty amazed by the product. The first thing we noticed was how far it went compared to shavings, requiring fewer bags for the same trailer space. Then when we walked on it and were amazed at the cushion. For large animals such as our bucking bulls, we felt that the extra cushion and no dust was great for them! We were further surprised when we got to the event several hours away and the bedding was still in the trailer. With shavings we're used to getting to events and the only bedding left for the bull at the back of our gooseneck is what is stuck in his eyes and nose! We were also surprised when we got back home and found that it had dried out so quickly that we couldn't even tell where the bulls had urinated! Definitely a huge improvement over shavings!
Charles and Sharon Hiner,
Hiner Buckin' Bulls
www.hinerbuckingbulls.com
Haskell, Oklahoma
Home of 2x PBR Final bull #6 Wild Bill
Longears
I tried corrugated cardboard bedding with reluctance. Bedding has always been necessary, but has always been a problem in itself. I put the bedding in a young mule's stall that is a bad stall keeper on purpose, he could ruin any bedding quick. I now use it in all my stalls, and in my trailer (so much less dust and so much more absorbent). What a great product! Thanks.
Margaret Granger
Green Mule Farm
China Spring, TX.
Arabians
We have changed our barn shavings from traditional pine to corrugated cardboard animal bedding. This has noticeably cut down on the dust in the air giving our new Arabian foals a healthier environment.
Sandra DeShazer
DeShazer Arabians
www.deshazer.com
Llama
What a wonderful product! We purchased some of the corrugated cardboard bedding and used it for the first time on a 12-hour trip with three suri llamas, who tend to get really grungy during travel. When we arrived at the event, our llamas were still clean. It took about five minutes with each llama using our grooming wand and they were ready to go! This is the best product we have found for travel or stalling at events.
Dale & Kathy Peterson
Southland Llamas
The Winning Advantage
Being a horseman of many years and after numerous world championship titles, I have always been challenged with the perpetual 'bedding issue'. It has been a continual battle with the good aspects vs the bad aspects of bedding and none of which resulted in a win-win situation.
My idea of good bedding is one that is not dusty, absorbs well, is easy to compost and is packaged in a manageable size to take to the horse shows. Dust is a major issue with me, since several problems such as upper respiratory problems and colic stem from a dusty environment, not to mention making the barn very dirty as well. Absorption is also a necessity in a stable that is used primarily as a business where odours can be an issue. Being able to manage the bedding is important, which includes the ease of composting it. Lastly, the need to transport bedding to the horse shows with ease is essential, bedding should be easy to stack in the trailer and be packaged in a compressed form to utilise available space.
Surprisingly, my wish has come true, a bedding product that meets every expectation and more. There is a revolutionary bedding that is made from new corrugated cardboard cut into small chips, cleaned of all dust and packaged in a compressed fifty-pound bag. Overall, corrugated cardboard bedding gives me a winning advantage with a product that is easy to use and creates a dust free environment as well as countless other advantages. My World Champion horses stand on nothing but corrugated cardboard bedding.
Thank you for this wonderful product that will help my business.
Sincerely
David M. Riddle
World Class Horses
www.worldclasshorses.com
Coliseums & Facilities
We converted our horse auction building over to AirLite several months ago. At first we were concerned about footing when the horses were rode in the ring. That concern was immediately proved to be unfounded. The immediate benefit was that the room became dust free, the buyers in the bleachers could uncover their faces, and all commented on how great the air was!
Then a hidden benefit came to light. The air handling system filters. We have five of them. When we used pine shavings we had to change out all five filters each and every week, at great expense, and the AC unit was under stress. Since we've had corrugated cardboard bedding in the facility, we've only had to change them once and the AC unit is running great.
Don McMinn
Great Western Auctions
Magnolia, TX
Foaling Mare
I wanted to say that I foaled out my mare on your product, and it was wonderful! The clean up after foaling out on hay or straw is horrible, usually 3 or 4 wheelbarrow loads, hard to dig out, etc. I only had one wheelbarrow, and the floor was so much drier! I have bare dirt stalls. I have told several people about your product!
Carol Rice
December 2004
Dog Breeder
Hi! I sure love that bedding for the puppies. I sure wish I had known about it 2 months ago. Finally, my puppies don't smell like pee anymore. They have a big 5 x 10 kennel indoors where they spend every night. The back 5 x 5 area is partitioned and the bedding is back there. They are very good about going back there to do their business, but with newspapers, well, it just wasn't absorbent enough, and to be blunt, they smeared the poop with papers too. I was changing those papers 4 times a day and those puppies STILL smelled.
Well, this stuff is just perfect. It is very fast and easy to remove the wet and solid 'stuff' and just add a bit of bedding each day. I suppose I will have to do a total change once a week. It also beats wood and paper shavings all to heck for the pups. That stuff got tracked all over. Anyway, haven't tried it with the horses yet. I might try it on Ivo's 'wet spot' in the middle of the stall. I spent so much money on my barn, fences, stalls, etc, that I ran out of money and couldn't afford mats. This bedding will probably be really good for that, but I don't know if I'm into flinging it against my new walls yet :)... I'll let you know about the horse stalls.
Well, I just wanted to tell you this because I think the company is missing a big opportunity by marketing mainly to horse people. Yes, they mention smaller animals, but I think this bedding could really be something gigantic for puppy bedding and maybe for smaller caged animals. I think I will also try it in the pan of my parrots' cages.
Thanks a lot. I don't know how much more I'll need for the pups as they will mostly be going to their new homes soon, and the ones I keep will be house-trained after the others are gone. Thanks again. I hope your new facility works out and that you get more boarders. There's something to be said about boarding. All I ever do on weekends is shovel, rake, etc!!!
Kelly
August 2004
Corrugated Cardboard Bedding In Use At CSU's
"Horses in a hospital environment have enough problems without adding respiratory disease or allergies to their list," notes Dean A. Hendrickson, DVM, MS.
A diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and Associate Professor of Surgery at CSU, Hendrickson continues, "We have found at Colorado State Universities, James L. Voss Veterinary Medical Center that the corrugated cardboard bedding provides good absorption, minimal to no dust, non-allergic responses and an aesthetically acceptable alternative to other bedding materials."
We have tried shavings and shredded paper but had problems with our drains. The corrugated cardboard bedding has been a benefit to our patients without causing any problems with our facilities.
Dean A. Hendrickson, DVM, MS
James L. Voss Veterinary Medical Center
Diplomat American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Associate Professor of Surgery
Colorado State University
July 2004
Sick Foal
Kathryn Nikkel, Southern California based breeder, owner and manager, has about 30 of her horses bedding down on AirLite at Del Mar Race Course. Nikkel has around 180 horses in her care, all Thoroughbreds, in Southern California, Kentucky and England. On her recommendation, horse farms with which she has connections are also using the corrugated cardboard product.
What sent her to the web looking for alternative bedding?
A Thoroughbred race horse under her management is allergic to traditional bedding materials. She was familiar with the health benefits of corrugated cardboard because of its
acceptance in recent years in the UK. "I didn't know anyone in the US was manufacturing a product like this," she notes. She also asked that corrugated cardboard bedding be
used in the stall of a horse who "had constantly carried heat in his feet ever since we had brought him over from England a year earlier."
"Within 36 hours of bedding him down on corrugated cardboard bedding, the heat was gone and hasn't come back." Kathryn also reports that grooms enjoy working with horses on corrugated cardboard because the horses are so much cleaner, and the stalls so much easier to muck.
"In my opinion, where corrugated cardboard may be most important for my operation is with respiratory problems and in foaling areas." She cites the case of one of her foals on a Kentucky farm who developed pneumonia eight days after birth. "A sick foal with a lactating mare is kept in the barn, and a lactating mare produces a whole lot of urine. Regardless of whether on shavings or straw, the foal is laying its head on the bedding with all that ammonia," she emphasizes. "As soon as I heard about it, I requested that the farm put him and the mare on corrugated cardboard bedding." The foal already has lungs that are compromised; the ammonia makes it worse. "I feel we were way ahead of the game with this sick foal that we really did not want to lose. The vet has been very impressed with the result, also." She reports huge cost savings, upwards of a whopping 80% in product and in labour since the horses on corrugated cardboard are cleaner, but emphasises, "Even if it (corrugated cardboard) weren't economical, I'd still use it because of the health benefits."
"I'm pretty excited about this bedding. It's like being on a cushioned air mattress because of the air pockets in the cardboard. I tell people to lie down on it, and test it for themselves, this is the cushioning effect their horses will feel on their legs and feet," Kathryn adds.
June 2004
Improving Life
As well as being a superior bedding, corrugated cardboard has significantly reduced the mortality rate in my game bird and poultry breeding program.
Tedford Farms (Game Birds & Poultry)
April 2004
Bringing Horses Back to Health
My position is one that is primarily responsible for pre and post operative care of horses at Sheridan Equine Hospital & Referral Special Hospital exclusively for equine patients. The patients I am responsible for have extreme needs in care due to their conditions which include; trauma injury, bone and joint repair (plates) and even amputees recovering during prosthetic process.
These patients' requirements for bedding is far more demanding than that of your average horse. Horses here are sometimes down for longer periods and some have incision sites that require a clean dust-free and sterile as possible environment. Also due to some patients previously being down for long periods of time, bed sores are already a problem.
I used corrugated cardboard bedding on two patients, one being a trauma mare with multiple injuries, the worst of which was a compound fracture in the fetlock region. The mare had lacerations and bed sores. Rehabilitation would include long periods of rest lying down. The other was a young mare which, due to injury, demanded amputation of her hind leg just below the hock joint. She would need bedding with good footing as she learned to negotiate getting up and down after surgery. This mare was also down for some time before arrival at the hospital and did have sores and scalded areas.
SummaryI feel I put this product through a Fire & Brimstone test for very demanding patients and was surprised at how well it worked. It seemed to clear up bed sores and left horses with clean dry coats. The footing is superb as well as a cushioning effect that is needed for horses with injuries in the legs. This product is dust free, extremely absorbent and provides a great cushion. In both cases the horses were obviously cleaner and dryer, not only in appearance but any previous sores or injuries were also clean and healed in a much shorter time frame than any other bedding I've ever used. The amputee mare found footing stable and predictable. Recovery was safe and speedy.
After many years in the horse industry this is truly a quality leap for bedding. It has surpassed any expectations I've had concerning the care of such high maintenance equine patients that are under my care.
Randy Conner
Equine Supervisor & Certified Farrier
Sheriden Equine Hospital Sheridan, WY 82801
Better Value Combined with Better Performance
At first we were hesitant to try corrugated cardboard bedding. But after trying it we realised the full usefulness of the product. Not only is it more absorbent but it also held the moisture better when it was hot. Our sheep also benefited from the outstanding odor control. It is the best bedding product that we have ever used over the top of sand. All in all it is the best bedding with a better value, combined with superior performance.
Mr Ron Pulse
Laramie County Community College
Wyoming State FFA Advisor
Cheyenne, Wyoming
The Best Bedding for Your Horse May Not Be the Most Expensive!
"When I come to choose bedding for my horses", says John Whitaker (International Show Jumping Champion, UK Olympic Champion), "my first consideration is their health. My last consideration is economics. That is why I was amazed to find cardboard horse bedding not only performed better than any of the other bedding materials available in the market it was also less expensive than most!"
John Whitaker
My Daughter's Pony Does Not Cough Anymore!
I always used shavings from my local supplier totally unaware that my bedding could be a risk to my animals' health. I have used cardboard bedding for 3 years now and I can tell you that it has made life so easy. About 3 months after starting to use it I noticed that my daughter's pony did not cough when being ridden out! She had done for the 5 years before that.
PD of West Yorks, England
Oil Spill
I had a major hydraulic oil spill at my premises which left us with a factory floor covered in oil and quickly seeping into product. I threw bags of the corrugated cardboard bedding over the oil and it soaked it up quite quickly. We were able to contain and avert what could possibly have been a disaster in our production and deadlines.
R. Felice
Melbourne, Victoria
No More Guinea Allergies
I have been trying different beddings for one year and none of them have worked. They have either caused allergies for me or my pigs. A friend told me about corrugated cardboard animal bedding and I have been hooked ever since and so have my guinea pigs. Thanks!
Becky Lombard
The Piggles Caviary
Katy, Tx
Transporting Baby African Grays
I recently took a two-week trip in my car, transporting a pair of baby African Grays. For the trip. I chose Critter Chips because of its light weight and transportability. To my surprise it didn't blow around in the cage and had no odor in my car and I only had to change it once during the whole trip, instead of every day like other products. I really like this product and have begun using it in the larger cages in my store because it's even inexpensive for store use.
Mary Hardcastle
About Birds
Pinehurst, Texas
Macaw on Critter Chips
We've had a Macaw on pine shavings in our store for years. He has always pecked away at the shavings, which caused an irritation on his chest and as a result pecked at his chest pulling his feathers out. He has been on Critter Chips now for about a month and he no longer pecks at his chest and his feathers have all re-grown! This is good stuff.
Mrs Cox
Mansfield Feed Mill
Mansfield, TX
Critter Chips in Bird Cages
I wanted to let you know how much I like the Critter Chips. I use them in all 3 of my cages. I place newspaper underneath then spread the Critter Chips on top. This makes clean up fast and easy and I only have to change the chips once a week. A little goes a long way. I use the chips sparingly and if my birds get a little messy, I just remove the soiled chips and replace a few. I have a very busy schedule and this works great. I also use the Critter Chips on my playstands and it looks great and cleans fast.
Bobbie Hairston
Forney, TX
Hooked on Critter Chips
I did get the Critter Chips and they are great like always. I gave some to my friend hoping to get him hooked on it too. We are also going to give some to the wildlife rescue people and see how they like it as well. Please feel free to use our comments as a testimonial, we really believe in your product. I will tell everyone I know about it.
Thank you for such a great product!
Ally & David Goddard
San Antonio, TX
Rabbits Using Corrugated Cardboard
We raise rabbits in outside cages. The ground under the cages became soaked with urine and has a horrible smell. I purchased bags of the product and put some under the cages. It soaked up the urine and greatly reduced the smell. When its time to change it out, I just mix it in my garden. I love it!
Pat LeCoq
Baton Rouge, LA
Reptiles and Rats Like Cardboard Bedding
Thank you so much for introducing me to your product. I have been using it on my rats and small reptiles with great success! Clean up is so much easier and the odour control is unbelievable. We all know how bad the rats can get in just a short period of time. Now I don't have to change their bedding as often.
Thank you again, and I am looking forward to trying your new Critter Strips.
Sincerely
Tina Tilday
Fangs & Feathers
Kilgore, Texas
80% Less Ammonia
I picked up 9 bags of the bedding to try. I'm only in my third day but have to tell you the difference I noticed on day one! The ammonia odour was cut down by like 80 percent! I remove less and find it to be much cleaner. I was a skeptic but have bragged about it to my friends! I'm sold and so glad I found you.
Teresa Lewis
Ennis, Texas
