Straw

PROS: widely available, aesthetically pleasing

CONS: can be prone to mold if harvested or stored improperly; horses may try to eat it; not very absorbent 

Wood products

PROS: widely available; more absorbent than straw

CONS: can be dusty; certain types of wood can cause allergic reactions; price can vary depending on local
economic conditions

(Note: Avoid Black walnut shavings and wood products, which are highly toxic to horses and other animals)

Paper products

PROS: absorbent; unpalatable to horses

CONS: may require more frequent mucking; difficult to move with a wheelbarrow

Peat moss

PROS: highly absorbent; low palatability for horses

CONS: expensive; difficult to find in the necessary quantities

Sand

PROS: easy to clean

CONS: not absorbent; can make a horse’s coat gritty; not soft; need to feed hay out of racks or pans to reduce ingestion of sand

Hulls, shells and shives

PROS: economical where available

CONS: not absorbent; can be hard to find