Aubiose/Rubber Matting?

[henhouse]

Hi, my mare will have to start to be stabled at night soon for the first time ever - she usually lives out - I am thinking of putting her on rubber mats with aubiose. Excuse my ignorance but after the initial dampening of the aubiose do you need to re wet it every time you add new bedding??!! Also as i've only ever used straw beds in the past for other horses would I need to have banks with the aubiose/rubber matting set up?? And one last question ha ha - can anyone recommend a good rubber matting supplier please? Thank you!!!

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I use aubiose (mixed with some wood pellets for cost!) on rubber matting and its fantastic, much better than shavings, it is way more absorbant, doesnt stick to rugs and clothes and you can pour it out the bag!

I dampened originally which is important but have never needed to once the bed was established, in theory you do dampen but see whether you need to, you can always add it but cant take it out!. I dont make banks either, aubiose is a bit slippery for that and I just curve up the walls a bit. TBH the matting makes for a much better grip than concrete and if I needed anti cast for an oldie I would fit the rubber anti cast strips on the wall - much easier than daily banks!

cheapest matting might depend on where you are, the delivery can be hefty, Im in NE Scotland so prob not best for recommends on that one...

BTW with straw and with shavings it took me 2 hours to do my 2 dirty beasts, with Aubiose it now takes me 20 mins for each with lots less muck heap and much cleaner beds resulting)))

 

[brightmount]

I've used Aubiose on rubber mats for years and wouldn't use anything else. It's fantastic, I just skip out each day, top up when necessary (roughly a bale a week) and only very rarely go right to the bottom to dig out the wet.

I have never dampened Aubiose, it works perfectly fine dry. The horse will soon dampen it anyway.

Depending on the size of your stable you need 6-8 bales to start off, maybe more if your stable is bigger than standard.

This is a great system for people who have better things to do than spend hours mucking out each day, or who have bad backs, as it's all so quick and easy.

 

[henhouse]

Thank you everyone!!

Have decided this is definately the way to go, time is at a premium in my household so anything easier and quicker to muck out is a bonus!

Thanks for your help!