A coastal farm in South Wales has diversified into producing sustainable bedding and forage for horses after becoming disillusioned with the results from conventional farming. The long-established family farm has created the Gower Granary brand to market its premium chopped and double-dusted straw and haylage, which are suitable for a range of animals, and are available in recyclable packaging.
Gower Granary emerged as a new name in the equine world just three years ago, when it built a new packhouse on the family farm in Gower. Its small team sells its premium range via independent country stores and wholesalers across both Wales and England. The double dedusting and milling process ensures that the chopped straw bedding is dust-free, which is especially good for both horses and humans with respiratory issues. The chopped straw is a sustainable byproduct from growing cereals, and once used and discarded, it rots down into a carbon-friendly compost for the land, and helps keep muckheaps to a minimum. It can be used not only by horses, but also by poultry, cattle and many other animals.

High profile converts to Gower Granary’s chopped bedding straw include Aberystwyth University, in Ceredigion, which uses it in its equine centre, international showjumpers like Helen Rees, from Llanelli, and Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo, in Pembrokeshire, which uses it to bed a whole range of animals, from sheep to guinea pigs.
Gower Granary received start-up support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and its aim is to encourage equine and animal owners to buy Gower Granary’s range to help support local farming, and the other businesses which trade with the farm.
Speaking about the demand the business is seeing, farmer and Gower Granary MD Chris Harry Thomas says: “We are delighted with the response we have had so far from people wanting to buy local, high quality bedding for their animals, rather than choose inferior and imported products. We hope to continue garnering local and regional support and plan to expand our range in the future. Right now we need the economy to be strong so that people have money in their pockets and keep choosing to support us, rather than switch to cheaper competitors.”
Gower Granary’s products are now stocked by more than 30 independent outlets, from pet shops to equine specialists, as well as multiple retailers like Wynnstay, and CCF, and they are also available to buy direct in bulk.
To find out more go to Gower Granary.

Suzanne Ashton: BA (Hons) in Marketing Management, Diploma in Equine Studies, B.E.M.A Member. An entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in marketing, publishing, content curation, editing, and media writing. Avid equestrian, riding since the age of 5 and owning horses for over 35 years. Proud mum to humans, dogs, and a horse.