Like most horse owners, you want to do everything possible to keep your horse safe and healthy. One of the best ways to do that is by using stable mats. Not only do they protect your flooring, but they can also help keep your horse warm and dry.
This ultimate guide will discuss everything you need to know about stable mats! In addition, we'll discuss why you need mats for your stables and how to install them correctly. So whether you're just starting or using stable mats for years, this guide has something for everyone.
What Are Mats for Stables?
Stable mats are handy surface solutions for horse owners and managers looking for a stable and comfortable environment for their horses. Constructed from rubber, stable mats provide a high degree of comfort and cushioning, ensuring that horses stay safe during exercise in stable yards, riding arenas, and stables stalls.
Not only do stable mats help protect horses from injury, but they also provide bedding to absorb waste. Without stable mats, the exercise area may become slippery or become contaminated with urine, horse droppings and other dirt and debris.
Stable mats come in all shapes and sizes, allowing horse owners to find the right solution for their needs.
Top 4 Reasons Why You Need Rubber Stable Mats for Your Stables
When it comes to the safety of your horses, a rubber stable mat is an essential item. As horses move around during exercise, they may slip and fall on hard floors or rocks. To prevent this from happening, a rubber stable mat is crucial.
These mats provide a lot of benefits for your horses. Here are some:
1. Keep Your Stables Clean
Rubber mats are essential in maintaining a clean, healthy, and stable environment. Here's how:
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They are explicitly designed to absorb urine, manure, and other liquids that can otherwise become quite a mess.
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Rubber matting can be installed on the walls of stalls and the floors of trailer ramps and runways. So, they help keep these areas clean.
For the highest performance, choose heavy-duty rubber mats that are strong enough to withstand continuous pressure in all weather conditions. The best practice is to ensure the mats are pressure washed regularly for hygienic purposes - this will also help to extend the life of your mats and keep them looking fresh for years to come.
2. Keep Your Horses Comfortable
Horse owners everywhere know the importance of providing cosy and padded protection for their four-legged companions. Stable mats are an excellent way to meet these needs and provide your horse with a comfortable environment.
There are two solid options: solid rubber stable mats and EVA foam mats.
These mats supply cushioned support, and solid rubber stable mats have added benefits due to their heavier weight. This helps prevent shifting or breakage from your horse's weight, making the life of bedding below it much more manageable.
Furthermore, EVA mats are made from ethylene vinyl acetate foam and offer better insulation, reducing noise levels inside a barn or stable. You can guarantee comfort and protection in any stable environment with solid rubber stable mats or EVA mats.
3. Prevent Injuries
Mats can be a great way to reduce the incidence of slips and falls in various environments. In addition, these non-slip surfaces are conducive in wetter areas where slips and trips may easily occur.
Many materials can be used for non-slip mats, but one of the most popular options is an EVA stable mat or rubber matting.
Going with good quality non-slip mats is essential as they are designed to provide traction that typical flooring might not have when wet. With EVA stable mats in place, you'll greatly reduce the risk of injury from slipping on wet floors and make your area much safer.
4. Help to Insulate Your Stables
Horse mats are an invaluable tool in maintaining the comfort and well-being of horses during cold winter months. Not only do they create a luxurious, cushiony surface on which to exercise, but some horse mats are also specifically designed to provide insulation from the cooler concrete floor of your stables because:
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These horse mats come in various thicknesses, ensuring adequate insulation for any horse's needs.
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Furthermore, horse mats are highly durable, resistant to impact and wear even in the most demanding conditions.
Investing in horse mats for your horse is a great way to ensure that they remain comfortable during cold winter days.
4 Tips on How to Care For Your Stable Mats
Stable mats are a great investment for any horse-keeping area. Caring for your stable mats is important to maximize their lifespan and protect your horses from slipping or falling on unstable surface. Here are a few tips on how to best care for your stable mats:
Tip #1: Keep Them Clean by Sweeping Them Regularly
Keeping your stable mats clean is essential to stables and barns. So, take note of these:
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Sweeping them regularly can help reduce the amount of dirt, hay, and straw that can get stuck in the nooks and crannies and cause odour and bacteria buildup.
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Regular sweeping eliminates odours and harmful bacteria while improving the mat's life by reducing wear on the fibres.
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A good quality brush or broom should be used to properly sweep a stable mat, ridding it of all debris which will help keep a pleasant atmosphere for both horse and handler.
Tip #2: Dry Them off as Soon as Possible
Keeping your stable mats free from mould or mildew is essential for any responsible horse owner. However, if you have had to battle a mould problem in the past, you know how difficult and time-consuming it can be to treat.
The best way to avoid this problem is to check your stable mats and ensure they are dry regularly. If you notice that your mats have gotten wet, take the time to dry them off as soon as possible.
Not only does this prevent mould and mildew, but it also helps maintain a cleaner environment in your barn or stable. These steps will save you dozens of hours in the long run, so remember; when it comes to keeping your stable mats dry and mould or mildew-free, prevention is key.
Tip #3: Inspect Them Regularly
Although these mats last for many years when cared for correctly, it's important to inspect them regularly. Look for evidence of wear and tear caused by the horse's weight, general use, and environmental damage, such as intense weather conditions and pests.
By looking over your stable mats at least once a year, you can ensure they remain in good condition and guarantee maximum cushioning and support for your horse. Plus, if any wear and tear are visible, you can address this early before the problem escalates and may lead to further health concerns.
Tip #4: Replace the Mat Immediately if There's Damage
Rubber stable matting provides perfect cushioning for livestock. Not only do they protect your animals from slipping, but they also help protect them from any unexpected injuries that can occur while moving around the stalls.
However, rubber mats will gradually wear away over time and must be replaced if you notice any signs of damage or weakening. Ensure you're consistently checking these mats and replacing them immediately if you see any flaws or holes in them since this could potentially lead to more severe issues with your animal's safety.
Replacing stable rubber matting is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your animals healthy and ensure their comfort while living in the stall.
The Importance of Choosing a Good Quality Stable Matting
As horse owners, we all recognize the importance of providing the best possible care for our horses. Stable matting is no exception, as having good quality stable matting is essential for providing the most comfortable and safe environment for our four-legged friends.
Stable matting serves many purposes, such as:
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creating a cushioned floor to reduce concussion
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reduces moisture
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protect hooves from wear and tear
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regulate the temperature in the box
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provide additional protection to horses in case of slipping or tripping
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improve hygiene by helping to keep the surface clean and reducing odours by trapping dirt and debris.
Ultimately, choosing good quality stable matting is important not only for providing the best comfort but also for prolonging the life of your box and keeping it cleaner for longer.
Get the Best Stable Mats for Your Horses
If you want to ensure that your horses have the highest quality stable mats, then we can help. We offer a wide selection of premium rubber stable mats designed to last and provide maximum support and comfort for your animals.
You may also be interested in reading:
Why Stable Matting is important in Horse Safety
