Shavings used for bedding severely injured horse

Due to the graphic nature of the pictures and also to devote more room to Lady's story, Naomi has provided a link to her blog about Lady horse.

Updates on Lady

On May 27, Jackson employee, Naomi Jensen, heard her daughter, Mandy scream for help. Lady, Mandy's 20-year old-Arabian mare, had run into a steel fence post and severely cut her left front leg.  A quick call soon brought the veterinarian, Beth Smith, who sutured the cut. Lady had to be confined to a small corral to keep her as stationary as possible so the stitches would not tear out.

It was natural for Jensen to think of wood shavings as the ideal bedding. Veterinarian Smith also recommended wood shavings as the best choice. Jensen explained, "I have been able to haul bales of shavings in the trunk or back seat of the car without making a mess.  They are dry, sanitary and very absorbent.  They also help keep the flies and gnats away.  We have been sleeping close to Lady and bales of shavings even make a nice bed."

In the month or so that has passed, Naomi Jensen and daughter Mandy have gone through countless bags of shavings.  Every day or so, after dressing the wound, all the bedding has to be replaced.  In between times, shavings are added as needed.

Naomi said, "Lady has healed to the point that now she needs to move around to exercise her leg.  The shavings are better than straw because they don't wind up around her hoof as she tries to move.  She cannot lift her leg very well yet."

"I have grown up using shavings for various animal projects.  I even sold shavings when working at a pet supply store while going to college, but I never fully understood all the benefits of shavings until now."

Usually working behind the scenes, taking care of maintenance and safety at Jackson, Naomi Jensen has always had an appreciation for the timber industry.  Her grandfather, Clint Jackson, founded Jackson Lumber Harvester Company, Inc., and her father, Tom Meis, invented the Jackson Wood Shaving Mill.  

Jensen explained, "I was taught that trees are a renewable resource.  In this day and age where depleting natural resources are a concern, the fact that trees can be harvested and reforested becomes of utmost importance.  Future generations can reap the benefits of the wise stewardship of our timber today."