Rubber matting and bedding

Champion1969

Champion1969

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 March 2012
Messages
484
Location
Cheshire
Visit site
If using rubber matting do you use less bedding, say like 3cm deep. Ive noticed some on my yard doing this, and it doesn't look very comfortable at all?

Is rubber matting used to save money on shaving and straw?
 
IMO I use rubber matting to stop injurys sustained when the horse gets up or rolls etc, also IMO there should be no reason to have a big bed with rubber matting.
 
I use less yes as I deep litter him on wood pellets so only one bag a week as opposed to 3+. I used to use 2 bales of shavings a week on rubber mats so god knows how many I'd use without!!
 
Matting is warm so horses will lie on it. I have mine on Miscanthus and is about 4 inches deep to allow for semi deep litter. Use 1 bale a week on a 16*12 area. I know she lies down as there is bedding in her mane and tail :) used more bedding previously, will eventually pay for itself but worth it for peace of mind she won't get down to concrete is she digs bed up
 
i just have the back half of the stable with normal depth of bedding so it is more economical and quicker to muck out..horse is fine on front part of stable with rubber matting only....
 
My bed on mats is probably about 3-5'' deep. I probably would have a deeper bed on concrete but even with mats I like a deep bed as I find my mare is much cleaner on a deeper bed. I do only have a half bed down tho, the front of her bed is just mats with no bedding down
 
Last edited:
I used it to help keep my arthritic horse more comfortable. You do need to be able to wash it out thoroughly occasionally and hopefully your stable will have a slight slope, so any urine drains out?
 
front half rubber mats, back half deep littered = in winter

summer

all rubber matting no bedding

used to work on a yard with quite a few grade A's and they were the same very minimal so if they can do it so can mine :)

each to their own lol x
 
The idea with rubber matting is that you can use a lot less bedding. I tend to use a reasonable amount of bedding as I semi deep litter and it is more economical that way.

Try kneeling on the concrete and then on a rubber mat - you'll certainly notice a difference.

Don't worry about your perception of comfort - I frequently see my horses flat out on the hard ground in the field in the summer.
 
I think the idea is that you can have less bed..although I use straw & as the matting doesnt drain the urine away teo well I have a big straw bed & even sprinkle a few semi-clean shavings from my mums stable in the patch where he wees or I end up with wet stinky rugs.. mum doesnt have a massive shavings bed with her matting..

I did know two people who had older horses that just had mats & used a sprrinkling of shavings to soak up the wee & swept the lot out every day.. I used to ride one of the horses & the smell of amonia was really strong in their stables.. funnily enough one died of lung related problems & the other has severe copd.. not sure if this is related..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top