What Are Stall Mats and What Are They Made Of?
Related Product: Horse Stall Mats Kit Cobblestone 3/4 Inch x 12x12 Ft.
What Are Stall Mats?
Stall mats are anti-skid floor mats that are used in large animal barns to aid the comfort and health of the animal. Due to their durability and versatility, stall mats can be used to add padding and reduce fatigue on horses or cattle when their barn stalls have a hard floor such as concrete. They can also reduce erosion of dirt or crushed rock stall floors due to pawing, pacing, or mucking.
Stall mats also make cleaning stalls easier as they keep bedding from getting mixed into loose subsurface material and the non-absorbent rubber surface can be easily disinfected. They create a smooth surface for easier and faster cleaning, which can help to save on labor and bedding costs.
While stall mats are often used in stalls, you’ll also find them used in barn aisles, grooming stalls, and even trailer floors. The mats can help to add safety and comfort to all of these locations.
What Are Stall Mats Made of?
Stall mats are most often made of rubber, though some mats are made of high density EVA foam. The rubber material can vary slightly, but it is most often created from recycled tires. Vulcanized rubber stall mats will be stronger and are completely waterproof while non-vulcanized rubber may require a greater thickness to get the same durability. Additionally, liquids can permeate non-vulcanized rubber mats if they’re power-washed or soaked.Rubber is a top material choice for stall pads for several reasons. Rubber is supremely strong and is capable of supporting horses, including draft horses weighing a ton or more. Rubber can withstand the impact of horseshoes, including horse shoes with studs, and is durable enough to withstand hot shoeing, too.
Rubber also offers excellent shock absorption, which can help to make a surface more comfortable for your horse. It helps to buffer temperatures, shielding your horse from a cold concrete subfloor. Rubber also offers valuable traction to help keep both horses and handlers safe.
High-density foam stall mats are designed for portability. The mats tend to be lightweight, so you can easily take them to a horse show or other equine event, but some durability is sacrificed by making them lightweight and portable.
How Much Does a Stall Mat Weigh?
The weight of a stall mat is greatly dependent on the size, thickness, and material of the mat. A standard rubber stall mat is 4x6 feet in size and 3/4 inch thick. These mats typically run about 100 pounds per mat.You can find rubber stall mats that are thinner, have smaller dimensions, or are perforated, therefore reducing the weight. A 1/2 inch thick 4x6 stall mat will run closer to 75 pounds.
The super high density 3/4 inch EVA foam portable horse stall mats are the lightest option at just 2 pounds per 2x2 foot tile.
What is the Best Flooring for a Horse Stall?
Entry level horse stall mats will typically be your straight-edge 4x6 mats. The thinner the mat, the lower the price in most cases, but also the more potential for curling or shifting, which can lead to tripping hazards or can let bedding work its way down under the mat.For best results, keep your stall mat thickness at 3/4 inch or thicker. You'll also want to make sure your seams are as tight as possible to prevent shavings and manure from working their way between the mats. Once this happens, you’ll start to see the seams buckle and the mats shift. This hazard will continue to worsen until it is fixed.
Interlocking stall mats offer a practical way to combat that problem. When placed over a perfectly level base, the interlocking mats can help to prevent separation and keep your stall floor nice and level.