Rubber matting for stables, help please

[zoeshiloh]

I am going to put down some rubber matting in my boys stable this year - I get so worried about his hocks etc, and spend a fortune on bedding every year (his shavings bed is normally about 1ft deep!) So I have decided the best thing would be to invest in rubber matting, and give him a thinner bed.

But, there is just so much on the market to choose from! We have some rubber matting that my OH bought for stocks/wash bay but it seems to absorb water like a sponge, so not very good for a stable. I have looked at various kinds of mat, but still not sure what is the best. The stable is a normal 12x12 stable.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Preferably that do not break the bank, lol?!

 

[AmyMay]

I put Equimat's down last year - brilliant. Cost around £300 for the stable.

 

[kate081]

My kraiburg ones have lasted well.

 

[1blondemane]

Hi there, i bought rubber matting for my horses stable for EXACTLY the same reason. I did loads of research, was astounded at the diff levels of costs and knowledge of the people selling the mats. In the end i paid £212 for 6 mats with a company that seemed to really know there stuff..However..The mats werent flush, they didnt match..So made it very difficult to get them sitting nt to each other. Also they are incredibly heavy to move, impossible on yre own. In the end they sent me 2 new mats and my dad spent a whole afternoon fitting them for me..They are great in terms of bedding saving and great for horses joints etc as so much better than concrete BUT if i was to ever buy mats again i would buy the more expensive lightweight mats that groove together i believe Tim Stockdale uses them too. They are more expensive but atleast you can move them easily when u need to and replace them with much more ease. I need to take my mats out b4 winter and clean them..and i am dreading doing this ardous heavy job!! Another option if you own your stable ie have yre horse at home is to have Tylene fit the stable for you..pricey but in the long run more effective and cost effective. I hope this helps! All the best and good luck

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I was in the same position as you & needed to fit out a stable with matting. The cheapest I could find are this company:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rubber-Stable-Mats...id=p3286.c0.m14
I bought from them, I don't live too far from them so I collected. They were easy to fit & at 18mm thick they will last a long time. For your 12' x 12' stable it will cost £147 + delivery. I doubt if you will do better, even with delivery charge. Several others from my yard have also bought from them & are very pleased.

 

[CracklinRosie]

I've now got equimat down in both my stables.

I use the 28mm one which is slightly more expensive and for a 12x12 stable it'll cost about £500 inc VAT. It depends on the size and weight of your horse. If you can get away with the thinner stuff then it'll cost £370.

However it is fantastic stuff and worth paying extra for the thicker one. One of ine is now 3 years old and you would never know.

Think of the amount of money you'll save in shavings over 10 years!!!

They often have show specials on so it might be worth calling them and asking for discount??????? that's what I did and got 10 % off!

 

[CBAnglo]

I got the EVA ones from Robinsons years ago - they are the really thick 34mm ones. They dry instantly and are easy to move and cut (with a kitchen knife) yourself. They cost about £45 each at the time (not sure how much they are now) and I needed 5 to fit a 12x12 stable.

I fitted them myself and have moved them a few times, on my own, and they have been fine.

 

[Stoxx]

I guess it depends on what you want from your matting. Personally I don't get the point in putting down a sheet of rubber that is no softer than concrete. Therefore when I was looking to buy some I found I had the choice between the extra thick Equimats or these. I ended up buying the Stableite ones as I knew a few people who had them and were happy with them. They are expensive but in my opinion they are well worth it, you can see them give slightly under the weight of the horse. They stand almost on stalks so air gets under them and keeps the underside pretty dry.

They aren't the cheapest by a long way but are a good investment IMO.

 

[Ottinmeg]

zoe have a look on the horsemat website, they are only in bulmer (could collect ) and the mats i bought from them last year look very similar to the ones that toby linked to.I can't remember how thick mine are as they are still at previous yard. Must go and get them soon.

 

[ClareHasler]

Couldn't agree more Ifield! I also have the Stablite mats and could not recommend them more highly. They may cost a little more but, my mats are now 6yrs old and they steam off like new and tbh don't look at all bad when they are dirty!!!

 

[Ebenezer_Scrooge]

Mine are by Horse Comfort and are 24mm thick.I've had them for 6 years and they are still in excellent condition and have moved stables so many times. They are made from EVA so really easy to lift and clean yourself. They feel spongey underneath so are comfortable for the horse, mine doesn't bother with the bed part, he just lies on the mats bare.

Whatever mats you end up buying you will find them a time and money saver. They are the one thing I cannot live without!!