Replacing peat with other alternatives as horse bedding

The purpose of the project is to find substitutes for peat and to test with horses kept in traditional individual stalls, and a method of horse housing that increases the welfare and health of them, i.e. in the sleeping halls of (active) courtyard (loose stables). As a result of the research carried out at the Harju Learning Center (Harjun oppimiskeskus) in Virolahti, we get information about the properties of different bedding materials, their effects on the welfare and behavior of horses and the environment. The project also evaluates the production and processing costs of different bedding materials and the factors that determine the matching between availability of various beddings and their demand. The amount of manure produced with various beddings, as well as the possibilities for further use of the manure are investigated.

The project supports the regional just transition of abandoning peat by finding out, testing and researching the horse industry's challenge of finding new and sustainable bedding materials to replace peat. In this way, it supports Finland's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2035 and correcting adverse environmental effects. The project innovates and maps out new business opportunities for operators in the fields of peat, bedding, agriculture, forestry and horticulture in the production and management processes of potential bedding materials.

The project will be implemented by the Harjun oppimiskeskus and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) 1.1.2024-30.6.2026 in the Kymi region. The project's EU funding comes from the European Union's Just Transition Fund (JTF).