Why does the bedding whose germs were removed thermally has a great importance in the stable?
There are horse owners, disparaging thermal removal of germs, according to their views it is useless, it has no importance; we often hear that the usual straw “filling” is still a good bedding without the thermal removal of germs. Next we want to explain to our readers why thermal removal of germs plays an important role for horse beddings.

Long straw and usual “filling”: full of mold, fungi and mites
It is still unknown that harmful bacteria and poisonous mushrooms spores live in straw rods where the climate is optimal for breeding. By chopping and mechanical friction by the hooves of horses, spores of poisonous fungi and bacteria are released so they reach the surface or simply float in the air.

Horses can inhale mold or harmful fungi
Due to the fact that horses keep their head most of the time on the ground, horses sitting on long straw or usual “filling” these dangerous particles.
Due to the fact that a horse at rest breaths (inspires) approximately 8 to 16 times per minute inhaling at every breath from 6 to 8 liters, this means for the horse’s lung 50 to 130 liters of air.
If these allergens and germs adhere to the respiratory track this may cause illness and allergic reactions or infections.

The solution: hippo gold bedding for horses, where germs were removed thermally
However with hippo gold it is completely different. By thermal preparing (85-95 ° C) and 9 times-dedusting, fungi spores, mold germs and bacteria are reduced to an extent so great that hippo gold becomes a bedding for health. This benefits both healthy horses and those with allergies, but also people who come into contact with the bedding. 

Other advantages of thermal removal of germs
Since the heat treatment releases the lignin from the straw, the absorbency of straw increases extremely - an absolutely clear advantage for the bedding, but also for subsequent use in biogas producing plants, because the floating layer is reduced to a minimum. We must also remember that the released layer of lignin of the hippo gold bedding helps to achieve rotting in the fastest time possible. It is also important that in years when there is adversity during harvest, there is no danger of contamination with fungi.
All these advantages of thermal removal of germs demonstrates that hippo gold is a special type of stable bedding which ensures optimal health for horses and an optimal stable climate.