Ok next yard move question...how the flip do I move my mats?!

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skewby

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Now it's times like these (first yard move in 6 years) that I actually wish I had a boyfriend :D

Got 6 good quality (i.e. HEAVY) mats in my stable. Been there ages so well squished down :eek: that I need to uproot and move to new yard.

My plan is (please point out flaws):

Bag shavings and load onto wagon (clean shavings banked and fluffed up in readiness for this already)
Lift up rubber mats
Give em a good hose/clean
Load em on wagon, ready to be unloaded 1st at new yard

Sounds so simple but it's the middle bit I'm not looking forward to in the slightest. Aside from the fact I'm gonna stink for a week (can live with that) I am a bit stuck about how to manhandle/lift them on my own. I am sure I can remember a post on here ages ago about folding them over and using twine to move them but can't for the life of me remember the exact process or make it up out of logic!

Help??
 
When we move the mats, We flip them or manage to wiggle twine under them, then fold you have to flip one side of the mat, stand on it!! Then flip the other and tie the twine!! 2-3 bits of twine per mat depending on the length of them, once you have them folded you might be able to roll them a bit tighter :) depending on the size of the mats you might have to ask someone nicely to help, but you might just be able to lift them yourself onto a wheelbarrow if you have to move them far?? Thats what we did anyway :) Hope that helps!
 
Think about each mat as an A4 bit of paper you have to fold into three to get it into a long envelope. Fold one end in and stand on the corner in the middle (not the other (fold) end as you risk the mat cracking) then fold the other over the top to the outside edge. You can then tie twine round one end, then the other. This is do-able with one person.

The other method that worked well for me was to put my wheelbarrow on its side and drag the mat over it. Up right the wheelbarrow and then drive the mat on the barrow into the trailer and lie it flat.

Also found that washing the mats on grass was easier and less grot was left on them. Pressure washer did a great job on mine.

Really don't envy you this as it never ceases to amaze me how sweet smelling and clean a stable can be, but under the mats with the urine and anaerobic bacteria is like another world. Wear washable trainers or wellies!

If all else fails, flog the mats to the person having your stable/the yard owner or flog on ebay (buyer collects) and treat yourself to some EVA ones which are the best thing since sliced bread!!

Good luck :-)
 
Wow thanks guys I get what you mean, all seems more doable now!!!

Hmm re the ebay thing...could as you say be easier to just sell them off cheaply, if someone wants a bargain enough they will be prepared to do the horrid job I suppose, I would make it clear in the listing how long they've been there etc. etc. lol!!

What are these EVA ones then?? Off to google... :D
 
MAYO mats are the best EVA mats I could find. They tend to be more expensive but they are worth every penny IMO. They don't spread and have to be recut all the time like the cheaper EVA mats.

Depending on your budget, it might be worth looking around at the various Ag suppliers. Matting is also produced for cow sheds and this tends to be very similar without the additional £££ that the word equine seems to add on!
 
If you're on your own, rolling them up like a tube then tying with several lots of baler twine seems to work, loop the twine with a lead rope and pull to where you want them as the longer bit of rope to pull seems to be easier than bending down and lifting them.
Otherwise as others have said and depending on your finances, see if YO wants them enough to pay at least half price of new for them (any less you're better off hauling them about)
 
julieleach9 said:
The other method that worked well for me was to put my wheelbarrow on its side and drag the mat over it. Up right the wheelbarrow and then drive the mat on the barrow into the trailer and lie it flat.

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This works well, I agree.

Word of advice though, dont do as I did one time and say I will come back for them as I couldnt physically move everything on one day, because sometimes apparently they *disappear*

Dont forget rubber gloves and overalls if you have any! I find rubber gloves essential to handle the grossness that is the underside of rubber matting :o
 
I can hear a recoiling eeeuuugghhhhwwwww around the forum as we all imagine that under-mat-horse-pee-stenchlike-sludge... One of those big yellow hazchem style radiation suits would do the job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
millreef said:
Why don't you ask your friends to help you...... or then, maybe you have:D
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Lol I had a big grump in SB last night because I was feeling resentful that I've helped friends with horrible jobs like this and now it's my turn noone is helping me...then I slept on it and this morning realised...I haven't asked anyone to :D

Having said that, now you guys have given me the logistics of actually moving them (thank you!), my thoughts have now turned to what I'm going to find underneath...and I am really rather tempted by julieleach's ebay idea.

For starters I have a deep, wall to wall deep litter bed. I mean, I never even see the mats. I did rather hope they were quietly saving me money under there by allowing wee to drain out. But maybe there isn't much point in moving them?

Ok ok, I admit it. I'm scared of the underneath :eek::D
 
Do the twine thing and try to get them rolled as much as possible, stick a loose fence post or old broom handle down them and stand them up then carry them with the wooden pole

Damn just realised you need another body to do the carrying thing. Used my OH who was physically sick as the smell ! However it might help you to lever them into a barrow
 
Who's moving into your current stables? Could you just sell your mats on to them in situ, more than one of our liveries over the years have done that when they've moved on rather than have the hassle of moving them :)
 
Def another vote for ebay!

I too had a wall to wall deep bed after box rest once. The bed was lovely and immaculate, but oh my god did if hoff underneath... I'd had a headcold and blocked sinuses for a while when I moved mine and yes, clear as a bell after about two mats.... Sell sell sell!
 
julieleach9 said:
Def another vote for ebay!

I too had a wall to wall deep bed after box rest once. The bed was lovely and immaculate, but oh my god did if hoff underneath... I'd had a headcold and blocked sinuses for a while when I moved mine and yes, clear as a bell after about two mats.... Sell sell sell!
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Lol!!! I am going to give it a go. Have had a look on there and there are people selling second hand mats and they're still quite expensive. If I stick mine on with no reserve some brave person is going to come and get them surely?!

They are also in v good nick as have always been covered in bed!! :)
 
Bethie said:
Who's moving into your current stables? Could you just sell your mats on to them in situ, more than one of our liveries over the years have done that when they've moved on rather than have the hassle of moving them :)
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The yard has been half taken over by a full/part/selling livery business, apparently they will get to take my stable on when I go. As the yard has been literally divided in two the atmosphere is not great and everything's very complicated so if possible I'd rather just not go there really :( shame tho!
 
we move ours with a trolly jack as it`s lower & easyer to get the mats on to. thats after tying in half with twine. i`d vote for ebay though its a job i hate with a passion!
 
Oh boy, we have moved lots of mats (eight horses between two of us) so many times....

Clear then hose them in situ. Sweep excess water off. This does not make them nice underneath, but definitely better!

Wear rubber gloves! Not only will the stop you stinking for weeks afterwards, but they will assist with grip.

Get lots of pieces of baling twine.

Get someone to help you roll the mats, one at each end. Get as tight as you can.

Tie baling twine round each end and once in the middle (if you have time/energy!).

Either carry them between two people (both hands in the top, or get a very stout and long enough stick to slip through and act as handles.

We've put the back seats down in the Disco, covered it and moved them in there; in a trailer; and in a horse box.

If you're buying new ones, remember how slippery they are! You definitely need rubber gloves then and put some shavings down to soak up the greasy stuff.

Note: these are the rubber 6'x4' mats that I'm talking about :D
 
Definitely another vote for ebaying them here! I moved mine before christmas after they'd been down 3 years. Although I'm well used to the smell of horse pee & have a fairly strong stomach the smell made me actually throw up. Not pleasant at all!! :D
 
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