Wood shavings are used in The Shea Center’s horse stalls to provide comfort when horses are standing or lying down, while also absorbing moisture to keep stalls clean and dry.

At the Center, shavings are preferred over straw because they are easier to maintain and far less messy. Each stall rests on a carefully engineered foundation of decomposed granite and native soil, topped with a rubberized flooring system. Together, this specialized flooring and the shavings create a supportive, cushioned surface that enhances comfort and helps protect the horses’ legs and joints.

Although shavings are more expensive than straw, the rubberized flooring allows us to use significantly less bedding—covering only about one-third of each stall. Using less material not only improves efficiency but also helps control flies, which thrive in moist environments.

Depending on a horse’s size, a single stall may require one to two bags of shavings per day. Across The Shea Center, that amounts to approximately 240 cubic feet of wood shavings every day.

Interested in making a donation to horse care, which includes shavings? Click Here! View our fun stall shavings video Here!