Straw & rubber or concrete? And EVA/heavy rubber

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madabouthehorse

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Thinking ahead to winter, and with a yard move imminent!

I currently have one horse on aubiose on concrete, but even the deepest bed he digs holes and nicks himself occasionally so will be going for mats for him again. Currently have the heavy one, but could be tempted by the EVA, do they move though?

The other is currently on mats and Aubiose, but with the new yard I’m planning on going back to straw with wood pellets underneath as he much prefers this.

Question is, would you put mats under this? I always do BIG beds when they are stabled overnight in winter, and I found previously when I took the wet out it would dry better on just concrete. But then they are stood on concrete eating at the front of the stable which can be cold and he is getting older. Equally in the summer they have smaller beds as only stabled for a few hours so mats would be better then? Or I could put mats at the front for him to stand on to eat, and have it concrete under the bed?

I think I’d rather mats, just worried about it becoming a smelly wet mess on straw. Previously when I used the straw & pellets it didn’t get wet as I used plenty, but like I said the damp area dried in a few hours on concrete even in the depths of winter.

Thoughts please? 🙏🏻
 
I would look to see how much you are likely to have to spend to buy straw this year. I have heard of 3 bales to the acre!

It might be more cost effective to buy the mats.
 
Very good point- we have had as poor as 2 bales to the acre so I don’t doubt it will go up in price. Luckily I will be able to have straw from the home farm so shouldn’t affect me. The straw decision over aubiose is more a comfort decision, I have one that doesn’t like to lay down unless it’s on straw :(
 
madabouthehorse said:
Thinking ahead to winter, and with a yard move imminent!

I currently have one horse on aubiose on concrete, but even the deepest bed he digs holes and nicks himself occasionally so will be going for mats for him again. Currently have the heavy one, but could be tempted by the EVA, do they move though?

The other is currently on mats and Aubiose, but with the new yard I’m planning on going back to straw with wood pellets underneath as he much prefers this.

Question is, would you put mats under this? I always do BIG beds when they are stabled overnight in winter, and I found previously when I took the wet out it would dry better on just concrete. But then they are stood on concrete eating at the front of the stable which can be cold and he is getting older. Equally in the summer they have smaller beds as only stabled for a few hours so mats would be better then? Or I could put mats at the front for him to stand on to eat, and have it concrete under the bed?

I think I’d rather mats, just worried about it becoming a smelly wet mess on straw. Previously when I used the straw & pellets it didn’t get wet as I used plenty, but like I said the damp area dried in a few hours on concrete even in the depths of winter.

Thoughts please? 🙏🏻
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I’ve currently got thick beds of straw on top of EVA, and one horse who rolls for Britain - altho will happily lie on bare mats if no bed down. But we’ve got loads of really nice straw!
Always best if fitted wall-to-wall like carpet, with (whatever) bed on top.
My experience is that the mats dry faster than concrete bases, but I throw beds up every day (unless a vet issue), sweep out and let things air, even if a rainy, damp atmosphere.
Also got solid rubber laid in field shelter, they don’t move, whereas unfitted EVA probably would.
Rubber is harder than EVA, altho some EVAs compact tightly over time. EVA is easier to lift, also to cut to shape if needed. You can buy EVA topped with rubber for extra wear, and various thicknesses.
If you want ‘bounce’, EVA with honeycomb underside is more squidgy, but it doesn’t wear as well as solid EVA, long term.
If you want to push the boat out, have a look at Mayo top of the range (and consider a 2nd mortgage).
Good luck!
 
Exasperated said:
I’ve currently got thick beds of straw on top of EVA, and one horse who rolls for Britain - altho will happily lie on bare mats if no bed down. But we’ve got loads of really nice straw!
Always best if fitted wall-to-wall like carpet, with (whatever) bed on top.
My experience is that the mats dry faster than concrete bases, but I throw beds up every day (unless a vet issue), sweep out and let things air, even if a rainy, damp atmosphere.
Also got solid rubber laid in field shelter, they don’t move, whereas unfitted EVA probably would.
Rubber is harder than EVA, altho some EVAs compact tightly over time. EVA is easier to lift, also to cut to shape if needed. You can buy EVA topped with rubber for extra wear, and various thicknesses.
If you want ‘bounce’, EVA with honeycomb underside is more squidgy, but it doesn’t wear as well as solid EVA, long term.
If you want to push the boat out, have a look at Mayo top of the range (and consider a 2nd mortgage).
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Thank-you! When you say fitted wall to wall like carpet, so do you mean fixed down? My current heavy rubber mats aren’t fixed but don’t move I assume do the weight. Mayo mats look the dream, but a little out of budget at the moment!
 
I put EVA under bedding, because it means I only bed where they lie and stale. Its saves on bedding and also means the turnover on a straw bed is greater so you are less likely to get mouldy bedding,, I do not have banks.
 
Identityincrisis said:
Last winter I removed my mats and just left the front 2 in, i have a huge straw bed right up to the door. This worked really well
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Did you find any difference in how quick it dried out?
honetpot said:
I put EVA under bedding, because it means I only bed where they lie and stale. Its saves on bedding and also means the turnover on a straw bed is greater so you are less likely to get mouldy bedding,, I do not have banks.
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Really good point about the higher turnover of bed Thankyou
 
I have thick rubber mats on concrete. One of the stables is used as a tack/feed room/home office. I have a standing up desk so stand on the rubber mat all day. In winter, even with the best thermal socks and thick soles, my feet get freezing, so I would never assume less bedding was necessary because rubber mats were down. Mine have a thick layer of chopped straw on top of the mats.
 
madabouthehorse said:
Thank-you! When you say fitted wall to wall like carpet, so do you mean fixed down? My current heavy rubber mats aren’t fixed but don’t move I assume do the weight. Mayo mats look the dream, but a little out of budget at the moment!
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No, you want to be able to lift them for a jet wash periodically, I mean laid up close to each other to each other and to the stable walls. Some makes have jigsaw joins to keep the mats together, but that does limit your flexibility to lay them if your stable isn’t exactly bog standard dimensions. I prefer straight edges.
EVA comes in various thicknesses, and it often ‘spreads’ a bit when weather is hot, some of ours almost billow up in this weather, but calms down when it cools, and horses’ weight flattens it back.
My rubber mats aren’t so tight to the shelter walls, but very heavy and stay put.
Mayo when you win the lottery! We’ve got some of their cow mattressing, and it’s very good.
 
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