If the urine drains through the mats rather than resting on top of them, the amount of bedding which is soiled is greatly reduced. This reduces the amount of time required to clean the stall, reduces the amount of replacement bedding required, and reduces the amount of storage space required for soiled bedding.

Although all of these are important benefits, one must consider what happens to the urine after it has drained through the mats. If the surface underneath has good drainage (e.g. thick layer of crushed stone), then the urine can drain off.

However, if the surface underneath is impermeable (e.g. concrete), then the urine simply builds up under the mats, where it can release ammonia into the air (which is unhealthy for horses stabled there, in particular for their lungs) and produce unpleasant smells.

Although one could from time to time lift up the mats and clean underneath them, the fact remains the cleaning urine under the mats is more difficult than cleaning urine on top of them. Consequently, depending on the underlying floor surface you may prefer that urine drains through, or you may prefer that it does not.

Depending on your preference, you should chose mats accordingly: small mats drain more than larges ones (joins are closer together and there are more of them), straight edge mats drain more than interlocking, porous mats drain more than non-porous. If you decide to use stable Mating that easily allow urine to drain through, you should consider the following:

• • Choose a mat with grooved or footed bottoms, so that the urine can flow off rather than being trapped.
• • Try to have a floor with good drainage. If this is not possible, allow the urine to run off by using a floor which is flat (no dips where urine can pool), smooth (so that liquids run easily) and with a slant so that liquids run off.
• • Consider choosing stable matting whose design and weight allow them to be easily lifted out, permitting periodical washing down of the floor underneath.

Stable Matting Drainage is a post from: Stall Mats

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A stall with rubber mats is cleaned out in much the same way (hay fork and/or shovel) as any other stall. Many people also periodically use a water hose to wash them down periodically.

If the mats have feet or groves underneath, this can also help to flush out urine that has drained through between the joints.

One can also use a pressure jet. While this is very effective, be careful not to hold the pressure jet immediately against the mat surface as this may damage the mat (your pressure jet manual should state the minimum distance to hold the pressure jet away from surfaces being cleaned).

If your mat must be absolutely clean, other cleaning tools that may be useful are a scrub brush, soap and disinfectant. Before using any chemical product on your mat, just the instructions provided with your mat to make sure that the chemical will not harm it.

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One advantage is that the amount of bedding required is reduced. This is due to:

• The stall mat performs some of the functions of bedding (e.g. soft, insulating surface). Conseqently, one can use less bedding, and still achieve the same results
• Urine can drain off without soiling bedding (see topic ‘Drainage’ above), reducing the amount of bedding to be mucked out and replaced each day.
• Horses do not like to urinate or defecate on a hard surface. If you provide litte bedding on top of the mats and the horses have free access to a paddock area, over time most horses will reduce the amount they urinate and defecate in the stall, and some horses will stop completely.

This reduction in bedding results in a large time and money saving, which many people find pays for the cost of the stall mats in less than a year. In addition, there are all the other advantages discussed at the top of the page (better insulation, traction and so on).

Problems with stall mats mainly focus on:

• Drainage. As discussed in the topic ‘Drainage’ above, urine can build up under stall mats, resulting in Ammonia (which is unhealthly and unpleasant for both horses and people) and odours. If you have good drainage under the mats and well ventilated stalls, this may not be an issue. However, if you have a traditional stall floor (i.e. concrete) which does not allow drainage and inadequate ventilation, you may have unacceptable issues with ammonia and odours.
• Mental Stess. Although a rubber mat may meet the physical requirements for a horse (e.g. soft, insulating, good traction) it does not meet its mental needs. Bedding such as straw provides mental stimulation as it has complex visual and physical texture, provides the opportunity for horses to root around for food and feels much like their natural environment of grass fields. A rubber mat meets none of these criteria, resulting in mental stress for the horse. The longer a horse is on a rubber mat instead of normal bedding, the greater the stress. If a horse has free access to a paddock, it is not as bad, but if they are locked into their stalls for long periods it is an unacceptable situation. To avoid this issue, one must put bedding on top of the rubber mat rather than treating the rubber mat as adequate bedding on its own (a mistake many horse owners make).
• Quality. Low quality mats are cheaper, but have a number of potential issues which can lead to dissatisfaction. They are more likely to curl at the corners or rip or absorb urine (resulting in ammonia and smells).
• Wrong Choice. As discussed above, there are many different types of mats. Dissatisfaction can arise when one chooses the wrong type of mat for a given application. For example, one should choose a heavy mat for a permanent stall (so it stays in place) and a light mat which rolls up for portable applications. It is important to consider exactly how one will be using the mat and then select the appropriate type of mat accordingly.

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Anchoring Horse Stall Mats

Do your stall mats shift and bulge?

Here’s a simple way Richard designed to make horse-proof anchors that will help keep even a four-corner junction in place.

Why they’re handy: Stall mats, especially those thinner than 3/4 inch, have a tendency to bulge along seams and intersections of corners. Bulging corners can be chewed or pawed by horses, and the uneven surface makes cleaning the mats more difficult. With their rounded stake heads, these anchors sit tightly against a mat, allowing a broom, shovel or hoof to slide over them without catching the edge of the mat.

• 1/4-inch diameter steel rod approximately 12 to 18 inches long (the softer the soil, the longer the rod)
• 1/4-inch steel washer
• 1 1/2-inch diameter fender washer with a 5/16-inch center hole. (Fender washers are relatively thin and have a large outer diameter compared to a small center hole; available at hardware and auto stores.)
• 1-inch-diameter pipe (See step 2).

1. Weld the 1/4-inch washer flush with the end of the rod and then weld the fender washer on top of the smaller washer. Weld the center hole of the fender washer and two or three spots around the smaller washer on the underside.

2. To round the head, insert the stake through a piece of 1-inch diameter pipe so the head of the stake sits flat on the pipe. Bend the perimeter of the large washer down over the edge of the pipe using light taps with a hammer. (Always wear eye protection whenever striking metal with a hammer.) Remove the stake from the pipe.

3. Clean out debris from under the corners of the mats so they lie flat and even. Insert the mat stake between the corners of the mats and use a hammer to drive it to the surface of the mats. Keep the stake vertical so the head will sit level.

Original source: www.horsekeeping.com/Horse_Newsletter/January_2007.htm

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1. 12 year limited warranty of Rubber Mating
2. All mats available as  interlocking rubber matting
3. Environmentally friendly
4. Available in 3/4″, 1/2″ or 3/8″ sizes (with diamond or button top design)
5. Manufacturers have over twenty eight years rubber matting manufacturing experience
6. Will not harbor or grow bacteria
7. Comfortable cushion support for your horse
8. Rubber mats will not curl
9. Reduces the need for bedding which minimizes cleanup time
10. Recommended by Michael Plumb’s Horse Journal.

Rubber Matting Is Easy to Install!

They can be installed in new or existing facilities. And if you ask the people that have installed them, you’ll soon find out that you’ll save time and labor because stalls clean faster, and require less bedding.

Rubber Matting is a Humane Horse Mat

If proper care and protection of your valuable horses are high on your list of priorities, you can’t afford to be without the benefits of Humane Stall Mats…. and from a point of maintenance, you can’t beat the time, labor, and moneysaving convenience they have to offer. Humane’s combination of a textured surface provides traction and greater resiliency while providing cushioned comfort against injuries and swollen leg problems.

Rubber Matting in horse stall mats can save time and money, when used in the correct way and for appropriate applications. Unfortunately, they have a bad reputation among some horse owners, due to issues associated with the inappropriate use of them.

The advantages of horse stall mats over other floor surfaces are:

Yielding. The traditional concrete floor is very hard. Unless you provide a thick layer of bedding, this hardness can stress joints, possibly injure feet, and cause sore points where the horse lays down to rest or sleep. Mats provide a softer and more yielding surface which is more comfortable for horses and less likely to result in impact stress injuries.

Warmth. The materials used to make horse stall mats are naturally insulating. This is both more comfortable and healthier for horses, especially in winter.

Traction. Concrete and wooden floors can be slippery when wet; mats provide better traction and thereby reduce the risk of injury to horses.

Ease of Cleaning. Many mats have a smooth surface, which is much easier to clean than concrete or wood surfaces.

Sterilization. Stall mats can be easily sterilized with a disinfectant, which is difficult with absorbent surfaces such as wood or earth. Especially in the case of a horse with a contagious disease, the ability to sterilize the stall floor is important.

Drainage. Unlike concrete, mats allow urine to drain off. Usually this happens at the joints between mats, although a few types of mats allow the urine to drain through the mat itself.

Bedding. Less bedding is required with stall mats, partly because the mats perform the function of bedding (insulation, soft and comfortable surface, shock absorption, traction) and partly because the ability to drain off urine means that less bedding is soiled. This saves not only on bedding costs, but also in terms of the time and money associated with stall cleaning.

There are two main potential issues with mats:

Urine buildup under mats. Mat floors are generally made up of a number of individual mats. Urine can drain through the cracks when the mats are joined together. Unless one periodically cleans under the mats, or there is good drainage under the mats, the urine can build up under the mats. The urine then breaks down, releasing ammonia (an unhealthy and unpleasant smelling gas) and odours. See detailed discussion below.  You can avoid this by using liquid rubber instead (see rubber stable for details) or sealed cushioned stall floors.

Inappropriate use. Some horse owners and stable managers use mats in inappropriate ways, leading to various issues.

Rubber Matting- Top 10 Reasons for Stall Mat Protection is a post from: Stall Mats

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Advantages of Rubber Matting in Horse Stalls:

The risk of the horse adjusting to the concrete – as could also take place with regular forms of bedding, straw for an instance – can also be eliminated for the reason that the rubber matting completely covers the ground. Another benefit is lack of dust in the stable, which rubber matting can help to establish.

Using Rubber Matting:

If you do decide to go down the rubber mats route, you will have to make a decision if you would like the rubber matting mats fixed permanently to the ground of your stable, which might have to have some work to ensure excellent adhesion. Alternatively you could opt for a rubberized floor you can “lift” to wash underneath. The cleaning is usually performed a couple of times a year if your mat is of good condition.

Several kinds of non-fixed rubber matting have a subsequent layer that involving the stable ground and the top coating to help improve water drainage. It is necessary you ask suppliers about the durability of this layer as your horse will be standing on it for long periods and breakages might lead to “pooling” of urine, affecting the water flow.

Rubber matting may generally be fitted by the company you purchase it from, but in case you decide for a DIY option, make certain you have all tools at hand, including a rubber matting gripper- an EZ grip stall mat mover. Also be sure to take basic security measures that may include protection glasses, and skin protection from adhesives and cutting devices – before attempting to install the rubber matting.

Most well-fitted rubber matting floor should pay for itself – with regards to bedding costs saved – in about a year in the event that no additional bedding is utilized and should survive many years. Ask people who use rubber matting the span of time theirs has lasted just to get a perception of the durability of the various kinds. The surface of rubber stall mats differs extensively, from lifted bumps to side rails and geometrical designs. Determine how much grip your horse need, depending on any problems it has or the condition of its hooves when he walks into the stable – for example, feet covered in wet clay soil could potentially cause the horse to slide.

Price must be considered when you’re looking around, but you should really get the best rubber stall mats you can afford for highest benefit and sturdiness. No matter what you choose it is important to talk about the waterflow and drainage of the stable with the matting manufacturers and people to install it since you may need to alter the ground line of your stable so you can get highest benefit.

Check out the EZ grip for the best rubber matting mover available- a great patented device that is a must for any barn owner or operator.

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Top 10 Reasons to Stable Matting

1. Environmentally friendly
2. Available in 3/4″, 1/2″ or 3/8″ sizes (with diamond or button top design)
3. Over twenty eight years mat manufacturing experience
4. 12 year limited warranty
5. Will not harbor or grow bacteria
6. Comfortable cushion support for your horse
7. All mats available in interlock
8. Rubber mats will not curl
9. Reduces the need for bedding which minimizes cleanup time
10. Recommended by Michael Plumb’s Horse Journal.

Stable Matting Is Easy to Install!

They can be installed in new or existing facilities. And if you ask the people that have installed them, you’ll soon find out that you’ll save time and labor because stalls clean faster, and require less bedding.

Stable Matting Is A Humane Way to Treat Your Horse

If proper care and protection of your valuable horses are high on your list of priorities, you can’t afford to be without the benefits of Humane Stall Mats…. and from a point of maintenance, you can’t beat the time, labor, and moneysaving convenience they have to offer. Humane’s combination of a textured surface provides traction and greater resiliency while providing cushioned comfort against injuries and swollen leg problems.

Stable matting mat floor can be laid on top of any hard, non-moving surface such as concrete, asphalt and wooden floors. However, soft surfaces, such as earth or sand, are unsuitable as they can move under the mats, resulting in depressions in the mats. Eventually, this can lead to separations between the mats or even tearing of the mats. Consequently, stable matting is more a floor covering, rather than a stand-alone floor.

Some stable matting (the thicker and stronger ones) can also be laid on compacted stone, provided that that stones do not exceed a certain size (large stones can cause bumps or even tears in the mats).

Stable Matting can be used as a floor covering almost anywhere, providing the advantages listed at the top of this page (e.g. yielding, insulating, better traction, ease of cleaning & sterilization). In fact, the name ‘stall mat’ is a bit misleading as there are a number of very good non-stall applications, in the following list of typical applications.

Trailers, where they provide a superior floor surface for horses, which is particularly benefical for the horses comfort and health on long journeys.

Shower and cleaning areas, where water can make other surfaces (e.g. wood or concrete) dangerously slipperly.
Walkways, particularly in professional stables or arenas or other high traffic areas, where the amount of traffic justifies the investment in mats for an improved surface.

Short term stalls (that is, stalls which your horse will be using for a short period, such as when they are away at exhibitions or short-term training). The use of portable stable matting allow you to place a protective mat over such temporary-use stalls (and save on bedding), and you can then take the mats away when you leave.

Permanent stall floor covering. Many horse owners put down mats to permanently cover their stall floors, attracted by the advantages of stall mats. The incorrect use of stall mats in this application is the main cause of discontent with stable matting and in fact all stall mats.

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With a lot of pollution and trash doing damage to our planet, corporations that manufacture these rubber mats use recycled rubber usually coming from tires. For those want to go eco-friendly, rubber flooring seems to be the responsible choice to make.

Here are some of the advantages of using interlocking rubber mats:

1. Easy to install – All you need to do is roll it out or interlock the mats and you’re on your way. Any kind of adhesive may not be necessary. Most mats form a suction seal of its own to stick itself on the area it is covering.
2. Portable - If you want to move it from a place , just take them apart by unlocking the rubber mats.
3. Light, therefore easy to clean - Even if interlocking rubber mats often cost more than regular rubber stall mats, they are lighter therefore much less difficult to clean.
4. Durable - It can withstand harsh climate conditions such as the heat of the sun and constant rain. They usually last about 7 years before they start to crack up at the edges.
5. Provides comfort – If you’re wondering that comfort is going to be sacrificed, reconsider that thought. Most interlocking rubber mats provide cushioning so they are perfect for horses who suffer from arthritis.

Whether it’s your first time to construct your horse stable or considering rebuilding it, using interlocking rubber mats is absolutely the choice you must make since it is environmental friendly, durable, portable, and best of all provides comfort and safety for your horses.

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Let’s just hold on here now. We looked at plenty of negatives at the start of this, all the why nots. Let’s consider three reasons why you should get horse stall mats.

First of all, on the “Pro” side, I would point out that horse stall flooring protects your horses feet and prevent lameness and injury. All right, I acknowledge your objection, for the “Con” side, and I agree you have a legitimate point as you say heavy rubber mats are a pain to lay in stalls and to move around. But I’d like to additionally show that horses hooves are delicate, and need to be protected. This isn’t only about comfort- it makes good business sense too and cuts down on vet bills.

Second, you should consider that both interlocking mats and one piece horse stall mats make great flooring options. In addition to that, horse stall flooring keeps your animals in shape and ready for fun, by reducing stress. As well as, quality equestrian products like these rubber mats provide an easy surface for cleaning.

And Third, you get reduced odor and flies because your bedding stays dry and lasts longer. This means that healthy horses, health hooves, and lower farrier and vet bills. And in addition to that, you more fun with your horses!

Once you have had a chance to look over the reasons, and think about them, you’ll find that a great case can be made in favor of use horse stall mats.

Consider this seriously for a moment. Maybe you actually should buy horse stall mats.  And when you do get around to  it, be sure to get an Ez Grip. as it’ll make your life SO much better!

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When you are considering buying horse stalls for your farm, how do you decide whether you should purchase the traditional wooden stalls or the modern steel ones? In addition, how do you decide what size of stalls should you buy? One way to decide on what material you should use with is by studying the pros and cons of the available materials.

The traditional horse stalls are not durable because wood can be easily eroded by bad weather and in cases of termite invasion, you will have to replace the stalls. In addition, wood, brick or stone structured stalls for horses are also more difficult to build and thus it will be time consuming as well as not cost effective. Usually, you will not be able to do it on your own and will have to call in a contractor instead which can be rather costly too.

On the other hand, if you decide to build your stalls for horses with steel, you will find that it can actually help you to reduce cost greatly. Metal stalls are pre-fabricated so they can be easily erected in the horse barns. All you have to do is to ensure that you have taken the measurements accurately and then purchase the ready-made stalls. Once the metal stalls arrive, which will usually not take too long, you can simply get a few workers to help you erect the stalls on your own without having to incur additional cost by hiring a contractor to do the job.

Besides being cost effective and easy to construct, the metal stalls are also much stronger and more durable than the traditional wooden horse stalls. You will not have to worry about the wooden being eroded and falling on your animals. With steel, you will not have such problems. Another advantage is that steel stalls for horses also come with a warranty so you can be assured of its live span.

Now that you have decided on buying metal stalls for your horses, your next job is to decide on the size you should purchase. A check with the supplier will tell you that these stalls come in various sizes so you have to decide whether you want to build a large barn or a small one. A word of caution is that you should think of the long run. Your animals might be small now but they will grow over time and a smaller horse barn with smaller sized stalls might not be very conducive for them. Unless you have the intention of building a bigger horse barn later on, you will save more in the long run by constructing a bigger equestrian barn right from the start.

You will also have to think about how much time your horses are going to spend in the horse stalls. Animals that are kept in very small areas for long period of time will get very restless and easily agitated. Over time, they will get very frustrated and might cause destructions to your barn and you definitely do not want to spend unnecessary money on repair and replacement!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_P_Moser

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