The Pros And Cons Of Using Rubber Mats For Stall Flooring

     Many different types of materials are used as bedding for horses. There are distinct benefits and issues with all of them, and different horses need different surfaces. Using rubber mats for stall flooring does not free the owner from deciding what type of bedding to use, but rather provides a supplement to the bedding.

Living on hard surfaces can be bad for a horse's feet. This is one of the major reasons that rubber mats are used. If installed over concrete, they provide a better surface for the horse to stand on. They can also be used for grooming areas and other places that horses stand, in order to provide an easy to clean surface that provides better traction.

Some people use these as a substitute for bedding, but the general consensus is that a horse whose stall has matting in it still needs bedding. Rather than being a substitute for bedding, a mat is a substitute for a concrete or hard clay floor. Proper bedding is a least a few inches deep, and appropriate for the horse whose enclosure it is.

In order to install this type of flooring, the material must be cut properly. If multiple pieces overlap, they can provide a tripping hazard to the horse. And if they do not reach the walls, they can provide both a tripping hazard and a place for the horse to potentially get his or her hooves stuck. This means that precise measurements and preferably interlocking pieces must be used.

The major concern with using these devices, aside from the care which is required in order to position them correctly, is that they will trap or attract mold, fungi or bugs. Though they are considerably easier to clean than dirt, this must not be neglected. Regular washing and possibly sterilization will help keep them from allowing a bug infestation, or mold growth to develop.

A great thing about using rubber mats for stall flooring is that the horse is much less likely to slip, should they dig through the bedding. Concrete is a difficult surface for horses to keep their balance on, and can cause accidents and falls if the horse digs through the bedding and winds up standing directly on it. Rubber provides much better traction, for both shod and unshod horses.

Single-sheet pieces that fill the entire stall provide an easier to clean surface than dirt, and are sometimes used for this purpose. While urine and feces can soak into the dirt and create a problem with cleanliness, rubber is non-porous and keeps all of the messy bedding away from the ground. A single smaller mat can also be used near the door in dirt stalls, to discourage horses that like to dig there.

Consider using rubber mats for stall flooring if you have very hard floors in your barn, or if you are concerned with the cleanliness of your dirt floors. While you must be careful to use them correctly and not neglect necessary maintenance like cleaning and sterilizing them, they are usually a great investment in keeping your horse happy and healthy.