I've used shavings successfully for foaling out. With rubber stall mats, straw can be very slippery and the baby can have trouble getting sufficient traction. It's also much easier to keep the stall dry with shavings(important for the umbilical stump and warmth). So, shavings were recommended by the vets I was using (good vets). They felt the risk of inhaling shavings was lower than the dangers of poor traction. However, our first foal of this year decided that stuffing his face full of shavings was the thing to do, to the point that his suction power was decreased. He was like a chipmunk! I was removing the shavings from his mouth 2-3 times a day. After two days of that, I switched the stall over to straw. He tried out the straw and decided it didn't taste nearly as good as the shavings and so his cheeks are now empty. So, I guess the straw vs shavings decision can depend on the particular situation. Hope your filly continues to do well. She's a cutie.
