Rubber matting question

[HarlequinSeren]

I'm going to invest in some rubber matting, but I'm getting a bit confused as to what to go for. What is the optimum thickness to get? Is it the thicker it is the better/more comfy it is? And when I fit it, it needs to be completely tight to the edges of the stable, right? So would it be a good idea to seal it with something like silicon? Thanks in advance!

 

[JanetGeorge]

I have various sorts of rubber matting - the cheak 18mm rubber matting - forget it now!

EVA matting is nice and light - so easy to lay and to pull out if you want to wash under it - but DON'T go for the extra thick stuff - 3/4" is plenty!

Depends a bit on what your floors are like - do they drain?? If they don't, you end up with pee under the mats - getting smelly! And how big a factor is cost??

The best economical mats I've found are the M8 from Fieldguard - http://www.fieldguard.com/stable_mats.html They aren't light, but they're warm and comfortable, and they don't shift!

 

[HarlequinSeren]

The floors are slightly angled towards the wall where the doors are but I wouldn't say they're particularly well draining! That's why I thought maybe siliconing the edges to the walls might stop the pee getting underneath? Or is that a really bad idea?

Cost isn't a massive issue as I'm planning on saving up to buy what I need. I want to do it once and do it right. I'm not planning on getting the cheapest option but preferably not the most expensive type either. Sorry, rambling a bit now and not making much sense but hopefully you get what I mean?

 

[HardySoul1]

Don't stick them down. Get them as close fitting as possible but you still want to be able to lift and clean occasionally. Get ones with grooves and point them the draining direction.

 

[ELFSBELLS]

I have mats from the Black Mat company, don't use any sealant, you want to be able to lift them yearly to clean underneath !

 

[Ellen Durow]

Be aware that rubber mats have to be lifted regularly (someone on our yard does it weekly ) to clean underneath or they will smell and be very unhygienic. This is VERY hard work as the mats are very heavy. I learned my lesson about mats when my boy had to camp in someone else's stable while his was being renovated. After 6 weeks of it and the final spring clean when we left I swore I'd never put him on them again!

You can get a rubber stable flooring that is mixed as a lliquid and poured on over the whole floor up to the walls and is basically self-sealing and can't be lifted. I can't give an opinion on the pros and cons as I haven't seen it in action but it isn't cheap.