Why Use Rubber Stable Mats?
Even though there are many different matting solutions available for stables, there are many benefits to utilising rubber mats in your stable, including:
- Comfort for your horse
- Reduced bedding costs
- Ease of maintenance
- Sustainable choice
Is A Rubber Mat the Right Choice for My Horse?
Stable mats are a great way to cut down on your bedding costs, and they’re also more comfortable for your horse. But there are so many types of stable mats out there – why should you choose rubber floor mats over EVA stable mats?
Comfort and Cushioning for Horses
It is becoming increasingly popular to enhance the stable environment using a durable matting solution such as rubber stable matting. A very good quality heavy duty rubber mat can provide excellent cushioning underfoot for your horse.
A horse spends long hours standing or lying in a stable, which can lead to stress on the joints, pain and hoof problems – especially if the floor is hard or uncomfortable. Traditional stable floors such as concrete or dirt alone can be particularly tough on the hooves and legs of a horse, so the anti-fatigue properties of a rubber matting solution can prove beneficial for preventing long term orthopaedic issues.
Rubber mats have incredible shock absorption properties for your horse. In turn, this reduces the pressure on the joints and hooves to promote relaxation and prevent injuries. The extra comfort underfoot can be especially beneficial for older horses or those with existing leg or hoof conditions.
Increased Traction and Reduced Slipping
Horses are prone to slipping, especially in exercise areas or on wet and slippery surfaces within a stable. Often, a regular floor can become slick with moisture from water buckets or urine. When this happens, the risk of a horse falling increases.
Rubber mats have non-slip properties to improve traction and reduce the likelihood of slipping – even when they’re wet. The added grip is essential in a stable, particularly in a busy stable, both for your horse and the people looking after them. There are multiple different variations of rubber matting available with alternative textures on top to improve these properties. For example, bubble top, cobble top and diamond top stable mats have textured surfaces that are designed specifically to improve grip underfoot.
Easy Maintenance and Cleaning
Hygiene within a stable environment is essential for the health of horses. Poor sanitation can lead to respiratory issues, hoof diseases and other health issues. Traditional bedding such as straw can absorb moisture, which means it needs to be replaced regularly to prevent bacteria buildup and odours.
The benefit of using a stable mat is that they are far easier to maintain and keep clean. The top of the matting can easily be swept clean so you can be assured that they won’t trap dirt and the underside features ridges for improved drainage.
With a stable mat you can reduce the amount of time spent mucking out stables and cut down on bedding replacement costs.
Health Benefits for Horses
Using a rubber mat in a stable offers a wide range of health benefits for a horse. Traditional bedding materials such as hay can hold dust, mould and allergens, which can negatively impact the respiratory health of a horse. When a horse is sensitive to dust or suffers from a condition such as equine asthma or COPD, they may experience significant respiratory relief when they’re stabled on a hypoallergenic surface.
Also worth noting, the cushioning that is provided by an excellent quality rubber mat can help to alleviate strain on a horse’s muscles, tendons and ligaments to allow for faster recovery from minor injuries or fatigue. The softer surface also reduces the risk of developing pressure sores or calluses, which are common issues for horses.
Cost-Effective Solution
The cost of traditional bedding material can very quickly mount up, not just in the cost of the material itself, but also in the consistent cost of getting it delivered. For a long term solution, straw, shavings and sawdust can become rather expensive as they need constant replacement.
Rubber stable mats can be used alone or with additional bedding. However, when used with bedding, significantly less needs to be used than if bedding was used alone. As rubber mats are incredibly durable, they are a long term solution, which makes them far more cost effective than bedding alone.
Since they are also easy to clean and maintain, stable owners can also spend less on cleaning supplies and the labour associated with mucking out stalls.
Environmentally Friendly
The environmental concern of using traditional bedding materials, particularly in large equine facilities where large quantities of straw or shavings are used and then disposed of, has been growing. Decomposing materials contribute to unnecessary waste and can also release methane.
Rubber mats are a more environmentally sustainable option. They’re made from recycled materials and therefore have a lower environmental footprint. As they reduce the need for continuous bedding replacement and disposal, they can help to minimise waste production.
Versatility and Aesthetic Appeal
A main key benefit of a rubber mat is their versatility. They can be used in a variety of settings beyond stables – some people even use them as gym flooring. One of the main benefits is how tidy they can make your stables appear, with less bedding comes less cleanup.
You are also able to easily customise your mats to your space. We also stock interlocking rubber mats with a whole host of different finishes so that you can really customise your matting solutions to meet your needs. No matter how many mats you need to cover your stables, these mats simply lock together to cover larger areas. One of the main benefits of rubber mats is that they can be tailored to create a functional and visually appealing environment for both horses and their caretakers.
While there are other matting solutions such as EVA mats, our stable mats present a high quality, long lasting solution and unmatched durability. With everything from improved hygiene to easy maintenance, the mats are perfect for creating a safer, healthier and more comfortable stable environment.
