What is a Horse Stall Mat?
Horses are amazing animals that serve us well; giving them the best stall mats for horses is a perfect way to return the favor. But what is a horse stall mat? They are non-slip padded mats used in livestock barns to help keep the animal comfortable and healthy.
This article outlines everything you need to know about stall mats as well as reviews the three best stall mats for horses. Stay with us.
How Much Do Horse Stall Mats Weigh?
The size, thickness, and material of a stall mat significantly impact its weight. A standard rubber horse mat measures 4 x 6 feet (48 x 72 inches) and is thick and 0.75 inches (1.90 centimeters). Usually, these mats weigh about 100 pounds (45.35 kilograms) each.
You can obtain lighter rubber stall mats by making them thinner, smaller in size, or perforated. A 4 x 6 feet (48 x 72 inches) stall mat that is 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) thick will weigh approximately 75 pounds (34 kilograms). One that is 0.37 inches (0.95 centimeters) thick, on the other hand, weighs about 50 pounds (22.67 kilograms).
If you choose interlocking stall mats that are 2 x 2 feet (24 x 24 inches) and have 0.75 inches (1.90 centimeters) thickness, you can reduce the weight to roughly 17 pounds (7.71 kilograms) per mat.
The lightest alternative is the very high density 0.75 inches (1.90 centimeters) thick EVA foam portable horse stall mats, which weigh just 3.6 pounds (1.63 kilograms) each 2 x 2 foot (24 x 24 inches) tile.
Do Horses Need Stall Mats?
The need for stall mats for horses is debatable among horse owners. While some contend there is little evidence to support this claim, others contend they offer a flexible covering that helps preserve horse legs from damage. Although purchasing a horse mat for each stall you have may seem excessive, it may greatly enhance the well-being of a stalled horse.
For their stalls to be healthy and pleasant, horses require mats. Concrete or wooden surfaces without a mat might be painful for the horse’s joints. Mats also give the horse a stable and level footing. Although they aren’t strictly necessary, horse mats save you from worrying about your horse’s health and the danger of accidents.
What are the Uses of Stall Mats?
Stall mats have several uses, such as
- They provide comfortable cushioning for your horse.
- They keep the floor warmer during cold seasons.
- They provide a consistently even surface.
- They form a safe, non-slip surface.
The Benefits of Equine Stall Mats
Mats Provide Traction
The mats are non-slip. They offer your horse an exceptional grip if the ground becomes wet from washing it or rain. Using an absorbent mat with great drainage capabilities will be ideal.
Horses pee a lot; therefore, their stall mat needs to drain well, or else dirt and moisture will build up and provide a slipping hazard.
Mats Provide Insulation
The horse’s legs and hooves may suffer greatly if your horse’s stable has a wooden or concrete floor. In the winter, concrete is also rather chilly and damp. Therefore, it can deter your horse from taking a needed nap or lying down.
The horse will feel more comfortable standing up and lying down if you put a mat on the stall floor. Additionally, mats offer exceptional insulation and assist animals in maintaining a comfortable body temperature without needing horse blankets.
Mats are Easy to Clean
With a mat, keeping the stall clean is considerably easier. Horses are not inclined to trample the ground and leave a mess. Additionally, you promptly remove any pests and dirt.
Due to decay or urine, wooden surfaces frequently acquire a terrible smell. For easy cleaning and good hygiene, place a mat on the wooden floor of your horse stable or trailer.
Our Favorite Equine Stall Mat
Our favorite horse stall mat is the Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Mat. This product is everything you need in a stall mat. Built from recycled rubber, the shark tooth mat is durable and offers top-notch protection. It is available in different sizes and is ideal for various uses.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| Product Name | Best for Case |
| Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Mat | Best overall |
| Equine Stall Mat, Bed Mat, Barn Flooring, Kennel Floors | Best Value For Money |
| Rubber Mat Flooring 4' x 6' x 3/4 | Best Multipurpose 4 x 6 Stall Mats |
Our Top-Rated Reviews
Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Mat: Best Overall
Brand: Rubber-Cal
Material/s: Recycled tire rubber
Color/s: Black
Size/s: 2 x 3 feet (24 x 36 inches), 3 x 4 feet (36 x 48 inches), 4 x 6 feet (48 x 72 inches)
Weight: 4 pounds (1.8 kilograms)
Thickness: ¾ inches (1.90 centimeters)
Shape: Rectangular
Back material type: Rubber
Special features: Shark tooth heavy-duty, supreme versatility, high-end protection
About Item
The shark tooth mat is one of the toughest horse stall mats, the most durable, and the most well-liked rubber floor mat with 100% protection! This amazing mat, made from recycled tire rubber, is incredibly adaptable.
It provides high-grade protection in various settings, including industrial environments, animal flooring, gym, weight room mats, and more. The recycled rubber material is incredibly strong and resilient, made to withstand impact without crumbling.
The Shark Tooth mat’s ability to absorb shock makes it the ideal adaptable flooring choice for various applications. It is robust enough to function effectively in multiple environments, including industrial settings, gym floors, and pet-care applications.
Pros
- Tough mat for extreme protection.
- Super versatile.
- Good resistance/high traction
Cons
- Very expensive.
Care Instructions
- Hand wash only
Equine Stall Mat, Bed Mat, Barn Flooring, Kennel Floors: Best Value for Money
Brand: Equine
Material/s: Rubber
Color/s: Black
Size/s: 4 x 6 feet (48 x 72 inches)
Weight: 75 pounds (34 kilograms)
Thickness: 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters)
Shape: Rectangular
Back material type: Rubber
Special features: Multipurpose rugged mat, textured surface
About Item
Equine Stall Mat is a heavy-duty and multipurpose flooring mat. It is suitable for dog kennels, trailers, gym flooring, and stable matting. It has a rugged/textured surface that minimizes the possibility of slipping when the floor is wet/moist—another great product manufactured in the USA.
Pros
- Textured surface.
- Heavy duty.
- Multi-purpose
- Non-slip
Cons
- Available in one size.
Care Instructions
- Hand wash only.
Rubber Mat Flooring 4' x 6' x 3/4: Best Multi-purpose 4 x 6 Stall Mats
Brand: DWC
Material/s: Rubber
Color/s: Black
Size/s: 4 x 6 feet (48 x 72 inches)
Weight: 115 pounds (52.16 kilograms)
Thickness: ¾ inches (1.90 centimeters)
Shape: Rectangle
Back material type: Rubber
Special features: Ultra-durable grade-A rubber, smooth top, and diamond plate surface
About Item
These robust mats, which are the industry standard in powerlifting, Crossfit, and Olympic weightlifting gyms, are ideal for multipurpose use. They can withstand the impact of numerous drops of weight from above. There isn’t a more robust, durable mat available.
These mats come with either a diamond plate surface or a smooth top surface. There is no finer mat for your gym than this one, created to line horse stables. They come in packs of 20, 10, 6, and 5. Rubber Mat Flooring is ultra-durable and versatile.
Pros
- Indestructible.
- Non-slip back surface.
- Heavy duty.
- It’s versatile.
Cons
- Very heavy.
Care Instructions
- Hand wash only.
Our Horse Stall Mat Buying Guide
You could find a wide range of options while selecting new horse stall mats for your horse. To make a wise purchase, you need to consider some fundamental factors. These are:
Thickness
Most stall mats are about ¾ inches (1.90 centimeters) thick. Most horse owners can use this thickness and some padding on the mat. However, other mats are 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) thick if you like something heavier and stiffer.
You would require less bedding if your mat is thicker. Moreso, thicker matting is less prone to budge or deform. It is also suitable for horses with arthritis or laminitis since they feel softer and offer better insulation.
Drainage
A stall mat with good drainage will help you spend less on bedding because pee won’t ruin it as quickly. However, it should also be possible for the area beneath the mat to drain completely.
For instance, a dust-covered wooden floor or an impermeable concrete slab will not drain water efficiently. As a result, it will be challenging to clean the area beneath the mat, and the urine scent may also harm the horse’s health.
Traction
A stall mat ought to be slip-resistant and have sufficient traction. Your horse has to be able to stand steadily and comfortably without slipping or tumbling down, whether the stall is dry from cleaning or damp. You can increase traction by using a mat with a rough surface.
Durability
The quality of the material determines how long horse stall mats will last. As a result, you should only ever buy the stall mat from a reliable company. Look for mats with an extended warranty. Horse stall carpets of good quality might easily last for 20 years or more.
Uses
How you intend to use the stall mat is an important consideration. Usually, Stall mats are skid-resistant floor mats used in horse stalls and animal barns to prevent tiredness in the muscles and joints of the animals.
A good stall mat should provide sufficient insulation and keep your animal comfortable. It acts as a shock absorber. Always go for a rubber mat, as opposed to a plastic mat. Rubber mats provide better padding, thus, are suitable for animals recovering from injuries. They also remain even/level and are easier to clean, leaving your animal comfortable in its stall.
FAQs on Equine Stall Mats
How Much Does a Horse Stall Mat Cost?
If you have several horses, horse stall mats can get rather pricey. Their strength and quality, however, more than make up for their price. Typically, horse stall mats cost about $2 to $3 per square foot.
Nevertheless, the thickness may affect how much they cost. For instance, the cost of a standard 4 x 6 feet (1.21 x 1.82 meters) or 4 x 8 rubber mat (1.21 x 2.43 meters) ranges from approximately $40 to $140. Whereas a 12 x 12 feet (3.65 x 3.65 meters) standard-sized stall mat will run approximately between $400 and $600.
Contrary to interlocking stall mats, straight-edged stall mats are typically less expensive. Similar to portable mats, often sold for roughly around $10 and $30, they come in 22 or 33 sizes. These mats are rather lightweight and great for horse transportation.
The interlocking rubber matting kit is an excellent option if you’re searching for a flexible, quick-to-install covering vast areas. These mats can cost up to roughly $300, but they offer great versatility thanks to their small, mobile sections that are easily connected.
Should I Buy Interlocking Equine Mats?
Even though horses frequently playfully tug on the corners of stall mats with straight edges, many horse owners love them. Instead, it would be best if you thought of using interlocking equine mats for these reasons:
Stall mats with interlocking parts provide the obvious benefit of easy assembly. They are also simple to move about and disassemble for stacking.
The ease with which you can clean interlocking equine mats is another advantage. You don’t need to remove the entire carpet to clean a specific stall area if it becomes soiled. Instead, you can separate the components, clean them, and reattach them.
You can customize interlocking equine mats, as opposed to straight-edge mats, in different sizes and shapes.
You can transport them into horse trailers and farrier shops in addition to using them in the stall. To keep your horses from getting tired as you groom them, use a 4 x 6 horse stall mat.
Compared to straight-edge mats, interlocking equine mats often stay in place more and don’t tend to curl up in the corners.
Should I Put Bedding Over the Stall Mat?
Yes! Even though horse stall mats are far softer than wooden and concrete surfaces and give some shock absorption, they shouldn’t be the primary source of comfort for a stalling horse.
To give your horse a much-needed comfortable environment, you’ll typically need to add a covering of straw, shavings, or other forms of bedding over the mats.
How Many 4 × 6 Horse Stall Mats Do You Need For a 12 × 12 Stall?
Horse stall mats come in a wide range of sizes. The most popular stall mat sizes are 4 x 6 feet (1.21 x 1.82 meters) and 12 x 12 feet (3.65 x 3.65 meters). There are also stall mats in 22 feet (6.70 meters) and 33 feet (10.05 meters) sizes. These are typically thought of as portable stall mat alternatives.
A 12 x 12 horse stall mat covers roughly 144 square feet (13.37 square meters). To cover a 12 by 12 stall, you, therefore, need six 4 x 6 stall mats.
How to Install an Equine Stall Mat
- Take accurate measurements first. Always ensure you measure twice before cutting. With inaccurate measurements, you don’t want to ruin your investment.
- Clean the stall entirely and thoroughly.
- Make the floor even. You can level the uneven parts of a concrete or wood floor using pressure-treated or outdoor-rated wood.
- Dig down at least 0.25 feet (3 inches) below the desired floor level if your floor has soil. Finish it with a 0.33-foot (4-inch) thick layer of crushed gravel, limestone, or decomposed granite. As you labor and as time passes, this will settle and condense.
- Apply a little layer of cement powder after misting the gravel with water. Before applying the mats, let the gravel and cement powder thoroughly dry.
- Ensure you have adequate help to move the heavy mats without injuring anyone or the mats themselves. Before moving the mats, roll them up.
- Start spreading mats across the stall’s middle. Make sure to keep the mats’ factory-shaded edges together. It would be best to place more mats around the center until you get close to or touch the stall walls. Also, cut your mats precisely to fit.
Your work will be complete if you lay a decent, strong foundation. In some cases, if the gravel hasn’t fully settled or if there are places that see a lot of traffic, low regions could show up. You might need to elevate the mats in this situation and make some changes.
How to Cut a Rubber Horse Mat
A multipurpose knife makes cutting stall mats simple. Take accurate measurements and then lay the mat on a wooden 2 x 4 feet (24 x 48 inches) to give it a little lift. Place the board directly alongside the line you want to cut.
Make a mark along the line using your pen knife or blade to indicate your final cut. This will slightly lower the cut-away area of the mat and widen the cut. You can now produce a straight, clean final cut with less difficulty.
What Should I Place Underneath The Horse Stall Mat?
As previously indicated, suitable surfaces over a dirt floor include crushed gravel, limestone, or decomposed granite. You might want to place a protective covering of Geotextile material underneath this base in regions with poor drainage.
How Do I Remove Foul Odors From My Horse’s Stall Mat?
To get rid of the strong rubber smell from brand-new rubber mats, you might apply a rubber odor-neutralizing agent with a neutral pH value. Do this before installing your horse stall mat.
It would be best to unpack them outdoors in a spot with lots of direct sunshine. Before installation, use your odor-neutralizing agent on both sides of the mats and set them outside in the sun and fresh air for a few days to let the rubber smell escape.
How to Clean a Horse Stall Mat
The mats should be completely mucked and swept before removing them from the stalls. Please bring them to a sunny spot with easy garden hose access. Apply a strong disinfectant and use a pressure sprayer to wet the topside of the mats thoroughly.
Follow the directions on the label for how long to leave the product in place before rinsing. Spray the mats’ undersides with disinfectant after turning them over. Allow the mats to dry completely in the sun.
To allow for adequate airflow on all sides, you’ll need to flip them over once or twice or lean them against a wall or fence. It will aid in disinfection if you can keep the mats outside in the sunshine and open air for a day or two. You can eliminate any unpleasant smells the mats may have acquired by thoroughly washing, airing, and sunbathing them. Read our article and find out 7 Horse Stall Fans to FIGHT Off the Summer Heat.
What Can I Use Instead of a Rubber Stall Mat?
In our opinion, it’s quite challenging to substitute horse stall mats. Before the creation of these thick, durable barn floor coverings, most people used to spread straw or wood shavings over flooring made of wood, cement, gravel, or dirt. All of these are not perfect, though.
Stall mats are an improvement for all. Even though bedding (straw or shavings) is still common, it is far less of it. When you spend money on premium rubber stall mats, you save a lot over time on these items and even on veterinary care.
Parting Thoughts
Mucking out and maintaining cleanliness will be one of your major chores if you leave your horse in a stall for several hours each day. However, Your horse will be more comfortable, and the cleaning-out process will go more quickly if you invest in high-quality, stable matting.
For this reason, we recommend the Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Mat for the best results. If you prefer to use only matting, this product offers anti-slip features, making your horse safer in his stall.
Remember that the best horse stall mat is energy, money, and time-saving. You will save a lot while caring for your horse. Above all, it makes your equine stall experience easier and nicer by preventing joint, leg, and hoof problems.
