To mat or not

having had mats for the last two years I wouldn't go back to not having them. I got them because I got some cheap ones which were being sold off and they have been fine although I can see that more expensive ones would be better. My large shire X TB is cutting them up and I have replaced one in her stable. They save loads of time as I use less bedding and just sweep the central area out in the morning (they still have banks). I also use a lot less bedding. I do take them out at the weekend and wash them with the hose - they are light and easy to move but not the draining type so they need this.

I am definitely a fan.
 
Definitely mats in my opinion.Have had mats for about 6/7 years and not only are the stables warmer you use far less bedding.Mine are very heavy duty so I can't move them easily .I just scrub the stable out with a yard brush and stable discinfectant at the end of the winter They are showing no wear at all .I do use the powered stable discinfectant once a week in the middle where they wee a lot but like hoggedmane keep the sides banked up
It is possible to move them around if the ones where they stand a lot show wear They are 1 meter square so two people could do it though no need at present . Also a fan
J
 
Oh yes! Mats
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Horses used to have hugely deep beds. Took forever to muck out! New mare is a dirty c*w! Would hate to muck out a big bed for her (much as I love her lol). Now, we have mats and a thin covering of shavings - takes minutes to muck out, saves a fortune, and horses are happy to lie down.

I admit, I prefer from an aesthetic point of view to see the deep golden straw bed, or the neat edged shavings beds, but this way I get to spend more time playing/being with my neds than mucking them out
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Ours are 6'x4'. They have the drainage channels underneath. Friend has the grid pattern on the top of hers, which is much nicer to sweep than ours (we have the bobbled ones and they are a pain to sweep in comparison!).
 
I like the idea of being able to take them out and clean them, a couple of girls on my yard have beds and they absolutely STINK. I know this is mainly down to poor management but it's really putting me off.

So what are the best mats? i'll maybe do another post asking what the best mats are.

Thanks for all your comments.
 
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