Rubber Matting or EVA

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joosboos30

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I am after some stable matting for my 16.2hh (very wet!!) gelding> I have looked at rubber matting and EVA matting and actually prefer the EVA as it feels a lot softer. I believe though that this can spread and causing lifting/curling.

Ideally I would prefer the Equimat although this is slightly above my price range, looking at spending around £200-£250.

Does anybody have any experience with both or can give me some advice as to which to go for.
 
EVA by itself is not suitable for horses really - it is not up to their weight distribution and as you say can spread and lift. The most concerning thing about this though is that they then won't provide sufficient support for the legs - whilst soft, squishy mats can seem better for the horse, standing on a too-soft mat can cause damage through lack of support.

If you stretch to it then invest in the Equimats, they are a rubber and EVA mix and as such have the best of both types, they really are excellent. I sympathise with the cost problems though, I looked into the cost of kitting my boy's 14 x 16 box with them and it was scary
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I have the EVA matting and it is great!
Doesn't move or anything and is soooo soft.
Ok the cost of them is high to begin with, but they do pay you back with the less bedding cost!
 
Re Equimat: When we went to badminton a couple of years ago and visited them on their stand if you placed an order by the end of May they gave you a 10% discount. All you had to say on the phone was that you saw them at Badminton and you got the discount.
 
I use Stablelite mats - and have done for over 10 years. They are very warm and do give a little but offer good support so are excellent for horses with joint problems. They do allow pee to soak through so the bed never gets too wet, though you do get pee under the mats. If you have good drainage to an outside drain, this is not a problem. If in a barn type stable, I get round this problem by having a 3 - 4" bed of shavings mixed with dixons chopped straw over the back half of the stable - no pee runs outs and I take mats up once a year to remove a little sludge from the area he pees. There is no smell with the mats down as shavings soaked up the worst.

Only problem with stablelite is they are expensive and heavy but worth every penny. The set Cairo is on is now 6 years old and show no signs of wear - and he is a 740k clydesdale. Other set I had are over 10 years and are now in a field shelter - sold them when I went down to one horse.
 
EVA would be may choice. I have porous, EVA and solid rubber in different stables. Prefer the EVA. Some are Equimat - very old, more than 10 years and still going strong, and the others are Mayo Mats, which are a mat sold for cow cubicles.
 
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