Are mats from Grassmats any good?

[Kirstineridesagain]

I’m looking at the Gateway mats from Grassmats.co.uk - tried Jelka and Mud Control but seems you have to buy either a whole pallet or do a shared load and it seems both expensive and a faff. These mats are “only” £60 in delivery fees and are equine grade (22 mm). With wood chips as well I’m hoping they will prevent too much mud in our field. The field is currently rested so I’m great condition but I know once the horses arrive it will get muddy by the gate and the shelter quickly.

Has anyone tried these mats?

 

[whirlwind]

Grass mats are useless in any sort of actual mud, ok for human traffic but not horses in my experience. Mud control mats are spendy but worth every penny, I have 5 pallets as a shelter floor and hard standing at mine and love them!

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

That’s what I suspected. Looks like we might have to bite the bullet. Your area looks lovely and dry!

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

They are 22 mm and meant for gateways and paddocks, but still no good?

 

[tda]

Yes to human traffic, not tough enough for horses.

 

[cauda equina]

I've used grassmats in gateways and they have worked well; having said that my soil drains well and doesn't get very deep
You do have to put them down on grass, once there is mud they are useless ime

 

[whirlwind]

They are 22 mm and meant for gateways and paddocks, but still no good?

I have just found they get scrunched up and buried, then fall to piece when you try to get the bloody things out then you end up getting mud control for the area anyway

 

[dorsetladette]

I have grass mats in my tie up area. it's on grass, but our ground is sandy so doesn't get very wet. They are useful when your bathing as it keeps the ground from getting to muddy underfoot. They are not any good for high traffic gateways and the like as they will sink and become more of a trip hazard. Around my hay feeder we have put stone down and then thick rubber mats over the top. This keeps them out of the worst of the mud.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

You can buy as many or as few mud control mats as you want and you certainly don’t have to buy a half or whole pallet all at once. Delivery is extra but they last for years and re sell for close to purchase price.

 

[Abacus]

I pus some grass mats (no idea on brand) down about 7 years ago and for a while they helped before they started to break up. In fairness to them even the old broken pieces just under the surface did provide a bit of stability on the tracks and gateways but next time when funds allow I'll do it properly with mud control mats.

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

Thanks everyone, I think we’ll go straight to Mud Control ones then.

 

[Widgeon]

I have just (a fortnight ago) given in and coordinated a shared delivery of MudControl mats via a local equestrian FB group. I only bought 36 but they were dead easy to lay and are already doing a fantastic job of giving us lovely solid footing on two areas that would normally be fetlock deep sucking mud by now. The whole process was super easy and the team at MudControl were really kind and helpful. I fitted 36 in my old Volvo estate, if that's useful in any way!

I know they're pricey but oh my goodness, they're worth it.

ETA you can get away with fairly sketchy ground prep so long as you put loads of sand on top of them. Make sure you work the sand into the holes and the gaps between mats. When the first lot of sand has bedded in, add more. I must admit I cheated and have been shovelling up and using the sand that pours off the farmyard next door when it rains

 

[Kirstineridesagain]

I have grass mats in my tie up area. it's on grass, but our ground is sandy so doesn't get very wet. They are useful when your bathing as it keeps the ground from getting to muddy underfoot. They are not any good for high traffic gateways and the like as they will sink and become more of a trip hazard. Around my hay feeder we have put stone down and then thick rubber mats over the top. This keeps them out of the worst of the mud.

I've just found a shared pallet for Mud Control so getting our 7 square metres very soon. I think I'll get some grass mats for other areas if needed later - or just more Mud Control ones. Quite exciting, the shelter is being built this week. Now I need a stable mat for the stable...

 

[dorsetladette]

I've just found a shared pallet for Mud Control so getting our 7 square metres very soon. I think I'll get some grass mats for other areas if needed later - or just more Mud Control ones. Quite exciting, the shelter is being built this week. Now I need a stable mat for the stable...

exciting stuff!

My friend has mud control mats in her shelter and a hard standing out the front. The first year some of the hard standing ones slipped down the hill (very steep) as we found she had a natural spring under where she'd sighted the shelter. We've moved it across and now it sits fine and the mud mats have been OK too. Who would have thought the wettest part of the field would be the highest point - but you live and learn.

 

[Beausmate]

Wood chip will rot down and get deep after a while, if it doesn't wash away first!

 

[dixie]

Grass mats are useless in any sort of actual mud, ok for human traffic but not horses in my experience. Mud control mats are spendy but worth every penny, I have 5 pallets as a shelter floor and hard standing at mine and love them!

I agree. The grass mats just sink into the mud.

 

[EventingMum]

I have a stable/shelter in a paddock for isolation purposes when new horses come in and have put mud control mats down as a base extending out to the front to provide a standing area. I've put rubber stable mats on top of the mud control mats inside the stable and it's worked brilliantly, well worth the investment.