What Are Best Horse Stall Mats On The Market?

If you keep your horse in a stable, even for a few hours a day, one of your biggest jobs will be mucking out and keeping everything clean. I can hear the groans from here! But it doesn’t have to be an endless slog of swilling urine from uneven floors, or scraping up those bits of poo that get stuck in the cracks of the concrete.

If you invest in some good stable matting, not only will the job of mucking out be easier but it will also be more comfortable for your horse. If you use bedding on top and he has a bed of shavings or straw, putting down stable matting will give a good firm base for the bedding to rest on, and if you choose to opt for just matting then many of them have anti slip properties meaning your horse will stay safer in his stall too.

Best Horse Stall Mat Reviews

Where do you find the best horse stall mats? Well, we have reviewed three of the finest ones out there to take the hassle out of finding them:

Image	Stall Mats	Price
	Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Mat A thick heavy duty solution to your stable.	CHECK PRICE
	TOP PICK: Equine Stall Mat A thinner but well made and durable mat.	CHECK PRICE
	Rubber Mat Flooring An all round long lasting stable mat.	CHECK PRICE

1. Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Mat Review

These are great thick stable mats, which provide the ultimate in comfort and are easy to clean. Exactly what you’re looking for in any stable mat, let’s be honest!

Pros

• Thick cushioning is anti slip and anti fatigue – You won’t have to worry about the mats shifting around, even if your horse starts pawing at them, and they should last a good long time.
• Available in three sizes at ¾ inch thickness – This means that you can work out the size you need and only buy the amount you need, without having to worry about what to do with off cuts.
• Made from recycled rubber crumb – Using old tyres to make rubber matting is not only great for the environment, but it is a fantastic material for this type of application, being super strong and durable.
• Contains a high EPDM content – This means your stable matting will be resistant to wear and tear from UV as well as physical damage.

Cons

• Can shed rubber particles – When you first lay it, you should sweep the matting vigorously to remove any loose bits of rubber that a horse may find tempting to nibble on.

Recommendation

A very heavy duty solution to your stable matting search, this one will last and last. It is also nicely thick, so will cushion your horse’s feet meaning he will be extra comfortable in his stall.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

2. Equine Stall Mat Review

A thick, well made piece of kit, this rubber matting will be a useful addition to your stabling. It is rugged enough to withstand a bit of pawing and abuse, and long lasting enough to keep your horse comfortable for a long time to come.

Pros

• Relatively light – Unlike some of the heavier matting, this one is just about suitable for laying by yourself.
• Textured surface for reducing slippage – This is important, especially in a stable where there will almost certainly be moisture from where your horse has relieved himself or knocked over his water bucket!
• Made from recycled rubber – This is not only a great way of using up old tyres, but also makes this rubber matting a strong, long lasting product which can stand up to any amount of abuse.
• Slim but substantial – These mats have a thinner look than some others, but are still strong enough to be perfect for laying on stable floors.

Cons

• It’s quite expensive – Compared to some stall mats this one is pretty pricey, but remember that you are paying for quality that will last for a long time, and that will take some of the pain out of the purchase!

Recommendation

Although this mat looks a lot thinner than some of the others on the market, don’t be fooled – it’s well made and durable, and will stand up to a lot of hard wear. Also, being thinner means that you don’t have to draft in friends and neighbours to help you lay it!

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

3. Rubber Mat Flooring Review

This is the height of luxury for stable matting. Made from recycled rubber tyres, this matting is heavy duty, strong and sturdy, and will make the stable comfortable for your horse – and the job of mucking out easier for you!

Pros

• Incredibly strong and durable – Even if you have a horse who likes to scrape up his bedding and paw the floor of his stable, this mat can withstand it. You won’t have to replace it any time soon!
• Comes with a smooth top surface or a diamond plate surface – You can opt for the smooth if your horse doesn’t mess around much in the stall, or the diamond plate if you think he is liable to slipping.
• The mats won’t move around – Because they weigh a pretty hefty 115lbs per mat, you won’t have to worry about them shifting around and making the floor uneven.
• Made from recycled materials – For those of us concerned with the environment, it is nice to know that some old tyres have been put to good use to make this flooring and not put in a landfill.

Cons

• They are really heavy – If you are planning to put this stable matting down by yourself, make sure you’ve had a good breakfast – or better still, enlist some help.

Recommendation

This is a fantastic all round stable mat, which is long lasting and strong enough to hold the weight of even the heaviest horse. It will provide cushioning and a wipe clean surface for when you get around to mucking out.

CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why use horse stall mats?

There are many reasons to choose stall mats over concrete, gravel or the ground. Comfort and hygiene are the top two, but here are a few more.

• Stall mats provide a safer, slip-resistant surface.
• Stall mats help provide a consistently level surface. Once installed, your horse cannot dig holes in a stall mat or pace a trench in it.
• Stall mats provide comfortable padding for your horse to lie down, and the continuous cushioning protects hooves, legs and joints.
• A stall with a good, thick rubber mat on the floor will stay warmer in winter than one padded with only straw or shavings.
• It easy to clean stall mats thoroughly by sweeping and/or hosing them down. This reduces odor and improves air quality in your barn.

2. How do you install horse stall mats?

• Begin by taking good measurements. Remember to measure twice and cut once. You don’t want to damage your investment with poor measurements.
• Give the entire stall a very thorough cleaning.
• Level the floor. For a concrete or wood floor, very uneven areas can be leveled using outdoor rated or pressure treated wood.
• If you have a dirt floor, dig down to a minimum of three inches below the desired floor level. Finish it with a layer of crushed gravel, limestone or decomposed granite about 4 inches thick. This will settle and compact as you work and with the passage of time.
• Spray the gravel with water and apply a dusting of cement powder. Allow the gravel and cement powder to dry completely before applying the mats.
• Be sure you have enough manpower to handle the heavy mats without damaging them or hurting yourself. Roll the mats up before you move them.
• Start laying mats out in the center of the stall. Be sure to keep the factory sheared edges of the mats together. Surround the central, starting mat with more mats until you approach or reach the stall walls. Cut mats as needed for a perfect fit.

If you have laid a good, solid foundation, your work should be done. In some instances, low areas may appear if the gravel has not settled completely or if there are areas of heavy use. In this case, you may need to lift the mats and make some adjustments.

3. How do you cut rubber horse stall mats?

You can cut a stall mat easily using a utility knife. Just measure carefully and then place the mat over a wooden 2×4 to provide a little lift. The board should run just to the side of the line you wish to cut.

Score along the line with your utility knife to mark your final cut. This will cause the cut away portion of the mat to fall a bit, opening up the cut. This makes it easier for you to make a straight, clean final cut.

4. What do you place under horse stall mats?

As mentioned above, crushed gravel, limestone or decomposed granite make good substrates over a dirt floor. In areas that have poor drainage, you may wish to add a protective layer of Geotextile fabric underneath this substrate.

5. How do you remove smell from horse stall mats?

For new rubber mats, you may wish to use a rubber odor neutralizing product with a neutral pH value to remove the strong smell of rubber from the mats. You should do this before you install the mats.

Unpack them in the open air in an area that receives plenty of bright sunlight. Treat both sides of the mats with your odor neutralizing product, and leave the mats out in the fresh air and sunshine for a few days to off-gas the rubber smell before installation.

6. How do you clean horse stall mats?

Begin by mucking and sweeping the mats thoroughly, then pull them out of the stalls. Carry them to a sunny location outdoors with good access to a garden hose.

Spray the topside of the mats down with a pressure sprayer and apply a good disinfectant. Follow packaging instructions as to how long you should leave the product in place before rinsing.

Flip the mats over and spray and disinfect the undersides.

Leave the mats in the sun to dry thoroughly. You’ll need to flip them a time or two or lean them against a wall or fence to allow good air circulation on all sides. If you can leave the mats out in the sun and fresh air for a day or two, it will help with disinfecting. Thorough cleaning, airing and sunning will also help eliminate any bad odors the mats may have taken on.

7. What can I use in a horse stall instead of rubber mats?

There really isn’t a substitute for stall mats. In the old days before these thick, sturdy barn floor coverings were invented, people spread straw or shavings over dirt, gravel, wood or cement floors. None of these are ideal.

All are improved by the addition of stall mats. Even though you still have to use bedding (straw or shavings) the amount needed is greatly reduced. In the long run, you save a great deal of money on these products, and even on vet care, when you invest in high quality rubber stall mats.

Tips For Selecting Stall Mats

Conclusion

Stable mats are an invaluable resource, and one that will save you a lot of time mucking out – you can just scoop your horse’s leavings off the top and hose down the mats if you are not using extra bedding, or if you are, just scoop and hose and put down fresh bed and you’re away! The best horse stall mats will save you a lot of time and energy while caring for your horse, and will make your horse’s stable experience a whole lot nicer too by preventing hoof, leg and joint problems.