Horse stall mats

Re: Horse stall mats

John K Jordan

So my question is for those of you with horses: how long do these mats last in a horse stall?

I've had 4x6 stall mats in two stalls for over 8 years now. There is no degrading of the edges. The mats are installed wall-to-wall, butted against each other and walls on all four sides. This may protect the edges somewhat. The stalls have been used for horses, goats, mini donkeys, and llamas/alpacas.

However, I have a dozen or so mats outside that are not bound on all four sides. These are walked on daily. Most are fine but a couple degraded edges and corners. This is not from animals walking but from goats chewing on them.

Some stall mats have diagonal lines molded into one side. Someone told me they didn't last long. I think she was using them upside down with the lines up. I installed them the other way and they've been fine.

Be advised that all stall mats are not created equal. While most appear to be made from bonded pieces of recycled rubber, some are heavier and appear higher quality than others. Perhaps you got a lower quality mat, one made with sub-standard materials or insufficient bonding.

Some are more expensive. The good ones were about $40 each the last time I bought some which has not been lately.

BTW, I always cut them with a utility knife guided by a straight edge. It takes several cuts to get through the thick mat. I've tried other methods but the knife works best for me.

JKJ

Re: Horse stall mats

johannaj

My stall mats have lasted for about 15 years. They are thick and very, very heavy. The floor of the barn (dirt) slopes, so the mats tend to shift gradually downhill. I keep a vise grip on a shelf in the bar so I can grip a mat to pull it back up.

I had a local man install them - I'm too small to handle them by myself.

Re: Horse stall mats

John K Jordan

My stall mats have lasted for about 15 years. They are thick and very, very heavy. The floor of the barn (dirt) slopes, so the mats tend to shift gradually downhill. I keep a vise grip on a shelf in the bar so I can grip a mat to pull it back up.

I had a local man install them - I'm too small to handle them by myself.

Johanna,

I have some on a slope, just outside the entrances to the barn stalls. I found a way to keep them from sliding: Home Depot sells VERY large nails, maybe 12" long or so. I put a large fender washer on the nail then drive it through the mat and into the ground. I put one on each corner. These have stayed in place even with horses, donkeys, and llamas on them.

Also, I struggled with moving the mats into place even with a helper. From an equine website/forum I learned an easy way to move them by myself: Fold the mat in half. Put a length of rope through the "tunnel" at the fold, long enough to tie (or clip) to the other end of the rope to make a loose loop. I can easily drag the mat by myself to where I need it by pulling on the rope loop. I moved about 30 this way, through a door into the barn stalls, and got them into position.

JKJ

Re: Horse stall mats

Mike Cutler

John

An easier way to move them is by using two pairs of Vise grips, one in each hand, to clamp onto the mat and drag it. Still, it's a chore to move them.

For the OP

Stall mats should last decades in a wood shop environment.

Re: Horse stall mats

William Duffield

I've looked at the horse mats at Tractor Supply many times, but haven't tried them in my shop, because I have several very heavy machines on roller stands. I know the lesser floor mats I have now would not stand up to these things rolling across them, and I know I would need a team or horses to actually move the machines around over my mats. Are the horse mats stiff enough that I would be able to use them under machines that weigh several hundred pounds and still be able to move the machines by myself?

moving stall mats

John K Jordan

An easier way to move them is by using two pairs of Vise grips, one in each hand, to clamp onto the mat and drag it. Still, it's a chore to move them.

I tried that and for me it was a lot easier to use the rope method. I suspect it was because when folded in half the surface against the ground was 1/2 the area and the friction was less. Regardless, it was easier to grasp and pull the rope from one point in the middle (or at two points with a helper) and since the mat was folded in half it was easier to maneuver through a stall door. I use a rope long enough to make a significant triangle in the front.

BTW, the best way I've found to cut 3/4" thick stall mats is with a utility knife, a straight edge to get the first cut then successive cuts to get through, usually while bending the mat at the cut over a 2x4.

JKJ