As a horse owner, you’re probably familiar with the importance of stable management in ensuring your horse’s health and well-being. One key area often overlooked is stall flooring.
While many focus on feed, bedding, and daily care, the floor your horse stands on plays a critical role in their overall comfort and safety. Horse stalls are notorious for accumulating dirt, sand, hay, manure, and other debris. Over time, this can lead to an unsafe environment for your horse, creating the potential for injury or infection from bacteria, fungus, or parasites hiding in wet or dirty bedding materials.
One excellent solution that addresses these issues is the use of rubber mats. These mats offer a long-lasting, cost-effective way to keep your horse’s stall clean, comfortable, and safe.
In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of rubber tiles for horse stalls and stables, as well as provide some recommendations for the best rubber mat options available.
Table of Contents
Why Rubber Stall Matting is a Great Choice
Alternatives to Rubber Mats for Horse Stalls
Our Top Rubber Mat Recommendations
Why Rubber Stall Matting is a Great Choice
Rubber is becoming a popular material for horse stall flooring, and for good reason. Let's take a closer look at why it’s such a great option for your horse's living space.
1. Non-Slip & Protective Surface
- Safety First: Horses can be prone to slipping, especially when the floor is wet. Rubber mats are non-slip, providing a stable surface that helps prevent accidents. Whether your horse is moving around or lying down, they can be confident that the floor won’t let them slide or stumble.
- Protection from Injury: Rubber provides a cushioned surface, reducing the impact of falls and minimizing the risk of joint or bone injuries.
2. Heavy Duty & Highly Durable
- Built to Last: Rubber mats are incredibly durable and designed to withstand the rough conditions of a horse stall. Unlike wood or soil, rubber won’t rot, warp, or break down with time. Even the most active horses won’t be able to tear them up.
- Compression Fit: Rubber mats are typically fitted using a compression method that allows the tiles to be pushed tightly together, preventing them from shifting or moving out of place, without adhesive. This ensures that your stall flooring remains stable and safe over time.
3. Easy to Clean & Hygienic
- Simple Maintenance: Rubber mats are straightforward to clean—just hose them down or use a pressure washer. The drainage channels built into the underside of the mats allow for easy water drainage, ensuring your stall stays dry and clean without standing water.
- Resistant to Mould & Bacteria: Unlike organic materials like straw or soil, rubber does not retain moisture. This helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and mould that can lead to infections or respiratory problems in your horse.
Customer Feedback:
"The rubber tiles have made daily chores so much easier. They can be cleaned down and dry out quickly plus they have really good grip"
4. Easy Installation
- DIY Friendly: Rubber mats can be easily installed by most horse owners without needing a specialist fitter. The mats usually fit together like a puzzle, either using compression or interlocking tiles. This means you don’t need adhesives or any complicated tools to get the job done.
- Flexible Fitting: Whether your stall is a standard rectangle or an odd shape, rubber mats can be cut and fitted to suit. You can even use them in other areas such as tack rooms or storage spaces for a uniform look throughout your stable.
5. Cost-Effective Solution
- Long-Term Investment: While rubber mats may come with an initial cost, they are a highly cost-effective flooring solution in the long run. Unlike bedding materials that need to be replaced regularly, rubber mats last for years without needing frequent repairs or replacements.
- Low Maintenance: The easy cleaning and self-draining properties of rubber mats reduce the need for costly maintenance. Additionally, you won’t need to purchase new mats every season, making them a more affordable option than alternatives like straw or wood shavings.
Alternatives to Rubber Mats for Horse Stalls
While rubber mats are a fantastic choice for many horse owners, it’s worth considering some other flooring options that might suit your specific needs:
- Concrete: Durable and low-maintenance but can be hard and uncomfortable for your horse to stand on for extended periods.
- Sand: Great for comfort but can get messy and requires regular maintenance.
- Soil: A natural choice but can become muddy, difficult to clean, and may harbour bacteria.
- Wood Shavings or Straw: Often used for bedding, but they require constant replenishment and can cause respiratory problems or become slippery when wet.
In contrast, rubber mats provide a more hygienic, long-lasting, and safer option for horse stalls, with the added benefit of easy cleaning and maintenance.
Our Top Rubber Mat Recommendations
Now that we’ve covered the main benefits, let’s take a look at two of our top recommended rubber mat options for horse stalls, private stables, and equestrian centres.
1. Sprung 30mm Rubber Horse Mats
- Ideal for Smaller Areas: Each mat measures 50cm x 50cm, making them perfect for smaller stalls where you may need to cut fewer pieces. They’re also available in 3 popular colours, so you can choose one that matches your stable’s décor.
- Non-Slip & Moisture Resistant: These mats provide excellent grip and drainage, helping to keep your horse safe and your stall dry.
- Durable & Sustainable: Made from recycled rubber, these stall mats are eco-friendly, long-lasting, and free from unpleasant odours.
- Easy to Install: The compression fit system makes installation straightforward—simply fit the mats together with no adhesives required.
2. Sprung 40mm Antishock Tiles
- Heavy Duty & Shock Absorbing: These larger sized extra thick mats (measuring 100cm x 100cm) are designed to withstand heavy impact, making them ideal for larger or more active horses.
- Noise Reduction: They help to minimise sound and vibration associated with busy working stables
- Perfect for High-Traffic Areas: Whether used in horse stalls or busy equestrian centres, the 40mm thickness offers enhanced durability, shock absorption, and protection from damage.
- Self-Draining Channels: These mats feature self-draining channels to prevent water accumulation and reduce the risk of slipping.
- Black Rubber for Classic Look: The sleek black finish is both professional and practical, making it suitable for a variety of environments.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a cost-effective, durable, and easy-to-maintain flooring solution for your horse’s stall, rubber mats are the way to go. They provide excellent traction, comfort, and hygiene while offering long-term savings in maintenance and replacement costs. Whether you have a private stable or a commercial equestrian facility, rubber mats are a reliable investment that will improve your horse’s safety and well-being.
By choosing the right mats for your stall, you’ll create a comfortable, hygienic, and safe environment for your horse, ensuring they stay happy and healthy for years to come.
Browse our Stable Matting for a full range of popular options.
