So it’s time to show your horse a little love and make sure his home is as cozy and comfortable as possible, right? Well, one of the most important ways to do that is by making sure the floor he spends so much time standing on is covered with a quality mat that is going to give those legs and hooves the rest they need!
How Do I Know What To Look For?
Finding the right mats for your horse can be overwhelming if you do not know where to start!
- What makes a mat, a good mat?
- How do I know if it is going to hold up over time?
- How will I know if my horse is comfortable?
- Once I have a mat, how do I get it in place or move it around if necessary?
Choosing a good horse stall mat is simpler than you might think. You mainly want to find something that is thick, and strong enough to hold up against the weight of a 1,500 lb animal coming and going while being conscious of the smell it brings into your barn.
While owning a horse can be expensive and you may be tempted to cut costs wherever possible, choosing a stall mat is not a place to compromise quality. You will inevitably find yourself shopping for new mats in just a few months once they have been trampled down and worn out!
In addition to ensuring that your mat will last, finding a good thick mat will provide your horse with the comfort that he needs. A quality mat will usually be about ¾” thick and made from good sturdy rubber.
One of the common complaints with mats is that they can have a strong rubber smell when they come into the barn, so consider this and read about others’ experiences before making your purchase. If not cleaned properly, some mats can also begin to reek of sale ammonia over time.
If you’re interested in learning about how to mitigate the smell from your mat, check out this article.
Where to Find Horse Stall Mats
A quick google search will show you that many people use horse stall mats for purposes other than their intended use (like gym mats, or other heavy-duty jobs).
Because there are so many uses for these mats, make sure you are reading reviews from people who have used them in horse stalls over a longer period of time. It may take some digging, but it will be worth your time in the end!
There are several places you can find mats for your horse stalls. Here are a couple from Amazon and Tractor Supply Co.
Rubber-Cal Shark Tooth Heavy Duty Horse Mat
If you’re not sure where to start, then – by popular opinion – you can find this quality mat on amazon and have it delivered to your doorway.
These horse stall mats are a crowd favorite because they are:
- Robust and sturdy enough to stand up to an enormous amount of wear and tear
- Available in various sizes to fit your personal stall needs (they can also be cut down to size to fit even more specific custom desires)
- Low odor, allowing you to achieve all the benefits of a quality mat without the overwhelming smell of rubber taking over your barn
- Made from recycled tires making them both incredibly durable and economical
The one draw back with these mats is that they have been known to pill a bit, shedding small pieces of rubber until they are broken in.
Thick Rubber Stall Mat From Tractor Supply
Another option is this common choice from Tractor Supply Co.
These mats keep customers happy because they are:
- More cost effective than other options
- Available to see in person for those who prefer to pick out their products by hand rather than online
- Sturdy enough to withstand all of the wear and tear your horse will be putting on it
- Available in two different sizes with the option to cut down for even more specified dimensions
- Made from 100% recycled material making them an economical choice, as well as a practical one
These mats will certainly get the job done and stand the test of time. However, they do come with a significantly stronger rubber smell.
Once you have your mats, you will quickly learn that they can be a hassle to move around! You may want to consider grabbing yourself one of these mat mover tools to save yourself some trouble.
If you are interested in learning about how to remove that smell from your stall mats or wondering why you even need the mats in the first place, check out these articles!