Horse Stall Mats 101 by Lisa Kiley
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here are several reasons to consider using stall mats in your barn. Mats provide a supportive layer for the horse to stand on that can help prevent soreness and fatigue from a damp, cold, or hard surface, while protecting the base of the stall from additional wear. Rubber mats can offer traction for the horse, preventing slipping and encouraging them to lay down to rest. While shavings are still generally needed when housing on rubber mats, it can make the stall cleaning easier and the amount of shavings can be reduced leading to significant cost savings over time.
So, what are some considerations when choosing and installing stall mats? Consider Your Base — There are several different options for bases in stalls. Usually the biggest difference is whether the base is porous (like screenings, limestone or dirt) or impervious (like concrete or asphalt). While any style of base will have pros and cons, adding rubber mats atop a well leveled and compacted base can help amend some of these inherent issues. For example, a horse can show symptoms of soreness when housed on a concrete floor, adding mats can help minimize these effects. On the other hand, mats can help protect a limestone base from becoming uneven due to horses pawing and moving around the stall in habitual ways.
Interlocking mats.
Edge Style — Typically the options are between interlocking and straight edge. Often the interlocking mats come in kits that will fit into common sized stalls so that there is a straight edge on the perimeter of the mats. Interlocking mats are much less likely to have corners or edges become unsettled with bedding beneath them, resulting in less time spent re-laying and cleaning under mats. However, interlocking mats are also more expensive than their straight edged counter parts. If you are looking for a more budget friendly option that can be used universally, the straight edged mats are a great choice. Thickness and Weight — Choosing the thickness of the mat is important and will depend on the type of base you have. If the base is a harder surface, it is strongly recommended to get the ¾” because the horse will be less likely to show signs of soreness than with a ½” option. The other benefit is that a ¾” mat is usually about 20 pounds heavier than a ½” mat of the same size. A 4’x6’x¾” mat weighs about 100 pounds. The weight of the mat itself will help keep it in place in the stall. Interlocked mats create a sheet that can weigh over 500 pounds, which helps them stay securely in place. Half inch mats make excellent aisle way mats, trailer mats, or liners for stall walls. Using anything less than ½” thick mats in horse stalls will not offer enough support and the horses hooves will likely quickly damage the mat. Thicker mats can last for many years. Sizing and Installation — The most common size of mats is 4’x6’, although they can be found in a variety of widths and lengths. Mats 18
that are 4’x6’ work well for 12x12 stalls which would use six mats and 10x12 stalls, which would need five. When stalls are other sizes, the mats can be cut to fit into the space. Cutting mats can be done with a sharp box knife. Make sure to carefully measure the stalls then mark the mats where they need to be cut with chalk. It can be helpful to score the mat first, and then use a block under the mat while cutting. When pulling mats into place, it can be done by hand or ‘mat movers’ (a device made specifically for easily moving mats) can be helpful. Make sure that the edges properly align, which will help keep mats in place once they are in use. Maintenance — No matter what type of base you have, or what style of mats there will be some annual maintenance. The mats should be lifted from the base and cleaned at least annually; the frequency of cleaning should be based on how often horses are occupying the stalls. Pulling the mats will allow cleaning of shavings or urine that may have been trapped between the base and the bottom of the mat. When pulling the Button bottom mats, any amendments to the base can be made as needed, such as filling in holes, re-leveling or packing the ground to help the mats stay even. Stalls should be maintained with fresh shavings and cleaned daily so that minor adjustments to the mats can be made to help keep them in great condition. Show Mats — With many show facilities housing horses on concrete, purchasing foam horse show mats can be a great investment. Be sure that the mats are made specifically for horses or livestock, because the quality will be far better than mats for household use. These mats can give your horse the support and cushion needed to keep his competitive edge when on the road. The light-weight mats are easy to travel with Show mats. and install. Using show mats will also reduce the amount of bedding needed at each show, so they will pay for themselves over time. They also make a great addition to the cross-tie area to keep both horses and humans cushioned from the hard concrete floors on long horse show weekends. Lisa Kiley is a lifelong horse enthusiast who has worked in the equine industry and shown horses for many years. She is a proud member of the Cashmans Horse Equipment Team. Cashmans Horse Equipment, located in Delaware, Ohio, has been providing top quality products to the equine and agricultural community for 40 years. They have a commitment to sourcing environmentally conscious merchandise and items made in the U.S.A. Cashmans strives to educate customers and provide products that put safety first so you can enjoy more time with the horses you love. www. cashmans.com.
HORSEMEN’S CORRAL
July 2020