kembryon
Active Member
Whats the best pattern to have on matting as there are so many; ameobi, croc, studded and bubble? Also whats the minimum thickness that wont split?
Rubber matting thickness and pattern?
- Thread starter kembryon
- Start date
YorkshireLass
Well-Known Member
I think it all depends what you want to use it for and if you intend to fit it permanantly, or lift it for cleaning.
If you intend to lift it for cleaning then 3cm stuff will probably be the best, unless you have someone on hand to help you move it or you are built like a shot putter. The 4 or 5 cm stuff can be very heavy! It will also depend what sized mat you buy.
If you fit the matting, and seal it in with mastic so it is permanant you will never have to lift it as it will be sealed in to place and nothing can get under it. I have done this and I bought the thickest matting I could find... 5.5cm (6 foot by 8 foot mats, 24 pounds each from the agri merchants) its the stuff that is normaly used for cattle walk ways. Bear in mind I have heavy horses so everything comes under more stress.... it hasn't budged or cracked in 6 years. It did take 2 men to lift each mat in to place to start off with though!
As for texture, I don't think it matters. The matting is grippy because the hoof dints down in to it, so unless you need pimples, like on a ramp or a wash box where you might have something prancing about.... I wouldn't worry too much about it. Some of the VERY pimply stuff is very hard to clean. But, having said that if you mastic it all down like I have then you just need a hose to wash it down.
Be sure to look for the stuff sold for cattle... as with everything horsey, if it is sold for a horse the price goes up. Youmight find an identical product for the fraction f the price from a non horsey supplier.
If you intend to lift it for cleaning then 3cm stuff will probably be the best, unless you have someone on hand to help you move it or you are built like a shot putter. The 4 or 5 cm stuff can be very heavy! It will also depend what sized mat you buy.
If you fit the matting, and seal it in with mastic so it is permanant you will never have to lift it as it will be sealed in to place and nothing can get under it. I have done this and I bought the thickest matting I could find... 5.5cm (6 foot by 8 foot mats, 24 pounds each from the agri merchants) its the stuff that is normaly used for cattle walk ways. Bear in mind I have heavy horses so everything comes under more stress.... it hasn't budged or cracked in 6 years. It did take 2 men to lift each mat in to place to start off with though!
As for texture, I don't think it matters. The matting is grippy because the hoof dints down in to it, so unless you need pimples, like on a ramp or a wash box where you might have something prancing about.... I wouldn't worry too much about it. Some of the VERY pimply stuff is very hard to clean. But, having said that if you mastic it all down like I have then you just need a hose to wash it down.
Be sure to look for the stuff sold for cattle... as with everything horsey, if it is sold for a horse the price goes up. Youmight find an identical product for the fraction f the price from a non horsey supplier.
ivenoidea
Well-Known Member
Horse mats are usually at least 18mm thick and weigh about 45kg per 6' x 4' mat. Not easy to deal with single handed. They price varies hugely by vendor/quality, between around £25 and £60 per mat.
If you get horse mats the ones with flat/lightly ribbed bases are for stables without a drainage fall whilst those with proper channels underneath are designed for stables with a drainage fall/outlet.
I had heard that catttle mats are much cheaper but have never seen/used them.
If you get horse mats the ones with flat/lightly ribbed bases are for stables without a drainage fall whilst those with proper channels underneath are designed for stables with a drainage fall/outlet.
I had heard that catttle mats are much cheaper but have never seen/used them.
air78
Well-Known Member
I've had 18mm 40 odd quid mats and 20 quid 14mm mats. Both laid in (basicaly) undrained stables.
I'd always get the cheaper ones now, they are still quite heavy but don't move at all. They haven't cracked or worn and if I need to I can drag them about by myslef. The 18mm ones I can't move at all.
I'd always get the cheaper ones now, they are still quite heavy but don't move at all. They haven't cracked or worn and if I need to I can drag them about by myslef. The 18mm ones I can't move at all.
MistletoeMegan
Well-Known Member
I currently have 19mm croc top mats and am quite impressed with them, I wouldn't have bubble top or anything too 'pimply', as they are a nightmare to sweep. I ordered mine from www.horsemat.co.uk who were reasonably priced and their delivery driver was fantastic too.
Thickness wise, you really don't want anything thinner than 17mm, the Equimats I had previously were 21mm and fantastic; if I didn't have to kit out at 14 x 16 stable then I would've used them again.
'Squidge' factor is very important too, some mats are so hard they really aren't any different to concrete, but you also don't want a mat so soft that it doesn't provide sufficent support for your horses' legs; cattle mats for example are normally too soft for horses.
Thickness wise, you really don't want anything thinner than 17mm, the Equimats I had previously were 21mm and fantastic; if I didn't have to kit out at 14 x 16 stable then I would've used them again.
'Squidge' factor is very important too, some mats are so hard they really aren't any different to concrete, but you also don't want a mat so soft that it doesn't provide sufficent support for your horses' legs; cattle mats for example are normally too soft for horses.
Stoxx
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure what the best pattern is to be honest as I've only used the ones I have!!
I think mine are great. They are about 2 inches thick, one inch of biggish rubber circles that the other inch of rubber sits on (if you get what i mean!). Because of this it means the air can get underneath the mats and they seem to keep themselves dry and so far haven't smelt at all. I do have a fair amount of woodchips on top though.
They are fairly expensive to buy, however you can actually see them taking the weight of the horse so they must be a lot better for his joints than standing on concrete!
The website is www.stableite.co.uk
I think mine are great. They are about 2 inches thick, one inch of biggish rubber circles that the other inch of rubber sits on (if you get what i mean!). Because of this it means the air can get underneath the mats and they seem to keep themselves dry and so far haven't smelt at all. I do have a fair amount of woodchips on top though.
They are fairly expensive to buy, however you can actually see them taking the weight of the horse so they must be a lot better for his joints than standing on concrete!
The website is www.stableite.co.uk
Cop-Pop
Well-Known Member
I have teh 18mm ones in my horse stable with bubbles one side and stripes the other. In the pony stable I have the same pattern but 12mm thick. I find the stripes are easier to sweep.