Rubber Matting - Best "Brand" (Advice)

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jenz87

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Hi everyone :)

Im thinking of putting some of my horses that dont lie down in their box onto rubber matting. It probably sounds a bit daft, but im looking for the softest, most comfortable mats as some of the ones ive seen are thin and rock hard.

Also what do you use on top, our horses are only in for the night all year round and im thinking of putting something down to soak the urine. Is shavings the most cost effective, or is some of the more absorbent bedding now available better / cost effective?

Any advice greatfully received, also where is best to buy it!

Thanks :)
 
I use the Black Mat Company mats because they are very thick and heavy and the bobbling on the top was enough to provide grip, but not enough to be uncomfortable (I tested this by kneeling on the samples myself!!)

I cover 1/3 of the stables with a thick bed of either shavings or dixons dustless (a chopped straw) on the mats. My sister insisted on not using bedding but her horse refused to wee on the matting, his rugs were disgusting and the mats got very slippy.

The only cost saving I can see is the initial cost of 6 bales of shavings is now reduced to 3!
 
Fieldguard! I have their M8 in one stable and M130 in another. Your stables do need good draining for them to work as urine goes underneath, but both are soft as designed as complete beds (no bedding required). I give mine a thin bed but that's just personal choice as I was kneeling and lying on them when fitted and they are pretty comfy! :).

The M130 is smarter than the M8, and softer, and easier to sweep- it should be all these things however as its more expensive! The M8 drains better though as the gap between mats isnt obstructed by the interlocking prongs, however because the mats arent 'locked' I have very occasionally found the horse has dislodged one a bit in the night - happened I think twice since installation in late summer, horses in every night from beginning Nov, and both instances happened soon after installation and haven't again since. The m130 you have to regularly clean between mats to clear the pronged section of build up, whereas with the m8 every month or so I lift a couple of mats (they are small and light) spray the hose down under the mats, add some green gloop and give it another quick spray from the hose :). Both stables are rinsed daily with a little water and green gloop but that's just part of my mucking out routine :)

I'm really pleased with them, they more than halve mucking out time and despite me using a small bed save so much straw that I calculated the M8 would pay for itself within 2 year and the M180 in approx 4years (if memory serves me correct). Good drainage is the key to them though or they'd be a right PITA. One of my stables has a slight dip in the concrete and urine collects and is so hard to get out even with hosing as it just runs back that I'm having it reconcreted in summer. Hope that helps :)

ETA the M130 was however a NIGHTMARE to fit as its so thick with the raised 'lattice' underneath that you have to cut, where as with the M8 you could manage to cut either side of a 'leg' on the thin part of the mat. Definitely a job to rope a determined dad into for the m180 we ended up with an electric circular saw and us wearing goggles and face masks because of the rubber particles. The blurb on the fitting instructions says it cuts with a stanley knife- it most certainly does not! Unless you want to spend hours sawing at it anyway! It's a great product but so bad to fit I wouldn't have it again unless my stables were exactly the right size to fit mats in with no cutting or if Fieldguard would come and fit it.
 
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