rubber matting

[coen]

I currently have my gelding on straw but find he is very dirty which makes mucking out in the morning very time consuming. Im thinking about investing in rubber matting & shavings and wondered if it actually makes a difference.

If so any idea on cost and suppliers in Essex?

 

[Chico Mio]

Don't know about costs as I got my mats for nothing and I get free shavings down the local sawmill, but I am now on my second day of mats and shavings. Following advice on here I have a thick bed of shavings at the back of the box on concrete (about 1/3 of the area) and mats on the other 2/3 with an overlap of shavings on to it. As far as I can see both my geldings regard the shavings as a giant litter tray!! FB has a touch of the whirling dervish and tends to trash poo and shavings everywhere and Ari has chosen to wee right in the middle of the box on the mats so I have put shavings there too. It is easier than staw but as I previously deep littered pellets and shavings it's all a bit different. I still seem to spend a lot of time sifting out poo! The main benefit is I can get both stables cleaned out into one wheelbarrow load and there is no straw to dispose of.

 

[natty4774]

I invested in mats from equimat in kettering (they will deliver). I was on straw before and my mare was disgusting, everyday it would take me 30 - 40 minutes to muck out! Now it takes 5 - 10 minutes tops. I just have a small amount of shavings at the back of her stable (may need to be in a different place for a gelding) to soak up the wee, it is so easy and I would never go back to conventional bedding.

 

[maybedaisy]

I have equimats for both of mine and they are great. I still have a full straw bed though. I have the mats to prevent injury as one of mine digs a huge hole in her bed every night. They are also warmer than concrete.

Also if you put minimum bed down they will get covered in urine and droppings which is not a good smell for them or their rugs.

 

[Natallia]

[ QUOTE ]
I currently have my gelding on straw but find he is very dirty which makes mucking out in the morning very time consuming. Im thinking about investing in rubber matting & shavings and wondered if it actually makes a difference.

If so any idea on cost and suppliers in Essex?

[/ QUOTE ]

If you switch to wood pellet bedding instead, you can avoid the cost of the rubber mats. You will find wood pellet bedding very quick to muck out, and you will find your mucky boy on straw is not really the dirty so-and-so you think he is!