Choosing the Right Horse Stall Mat

Keep your horse supported from the ground up with the right horse stall mat.

If you own a horse, you know that they spend a great deal of time in their stall, so making sure they’re comfortable should be a priority.

Whether you’re a new horse owner or you are just in the market for a new horse stall mat, you may be asking yourself “which horse stall mat should I buy?”

With the right stall mat, your horse can have a comfortable place to stand all day long.

There are a few features to consider when choosing a horse stall mat, and Blain’s Farm & Fleet is here to help.

1. Size

Take some time to measure your horse stall if you don’t already know its measurements.

Most stall mats will be sized by height, width, and thickness in feet and inches, and are offered in a variety of sizes.

2. Weight & Thickness

Consider the construction of the mat. You want the rubber stall mat to be thick enough to support the weight of your horse.

Hard or uneven mat surfaces can take a toll on your horse’s joints.

Depending on the breed, horses range in weight from 1,000 – 2,000 pound. Their joints have to support all that weight while standing in their stall.

To maintain your horse’s joint health and comfort, you’ll want to avoid having them stand on a hard concrete floor in their stall. A quality stall mat should help them stand comfortably.

Fun fact: the durability and comfort of 3/4 inch thick horse stall mats make them a popular rubber gym flooring option for garage gyms and even some commercial gyms use them.

So, you can rest assured knowing that you’re providing human-quality rubber flooring for your horse.

3. Material

Most stall mats are water resistant rubber, which makes them easy to clean. Being able to easily pressure wash or hose away debris, urine and cleaning products is essential.

You want a non-absorbent mat. If a horse has to stand on a mat that absorbs and retains moisture or bacteria, it can lead to thrush and other health problems.

A high quality rubber mat can last for years and provide a comfortable flooring option for your horse stall. Investing in higher quality mats can help save money down the road, as they will last longer and have to be replaced less often.

If you’re concerned about the environment, look for a mat made from recycled rubber for a more sustainable option to help keep everyone’s great outdoors a little greener in the future.

If it can stand up to bodybuilders dropping heavy weights on it over and over, you know it can stand up to your horse’s hooves and shoes.

4. Traction

A stall mat needs to have good traction and be slip resistant.

Whether the stall is wet from being cleaned or dry, your horse needs to be able to stand firmly and comfortably without falling down or slipping.

A mat with a textured surface can help with traction.

5. Cost Efficiency

Using a stall mat reduces the amount of bedding you’ll have to use in the stall. With the right mat, your horse will have enough cushioning, and bedding will only have to be used to absorb waste. In turn, you’ll have less bedding to clean up and you’ll be saving money.

While a stall mat is an investment, in the long run it pays off.

If you’re shopping prices and can’t decide, calculate cost efficiency by dividing the price by the square foot. This will tell you how much value you’re getting for your dollar, and is especially helpful if you have a big barn with multiple horse stalls to cover.

At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can trust your animal experts to supply you with all the equestrian equipment needed to give your horses the best care. From horse tack to hoof care to riding accessories, you’ll be set for the farm or the fair. For more tips on caring for animals, big and small, visit our Hobby Farming and Pet Care blogs. Check out horsesbff.com for all your horse care and tack needs!