Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Reduces pain in arthritic horses, helps horses with COPD, reduces mucking out time significantly, reduces muck heap dramatically, cheaper in long run, warmer than concrete floor . Less bedding needed so less to store . |
| Disadvantages: |
Expensive initial outlay, hard to clean under mats, difficult to move . |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
I have three horses and have kept horses for over 18 years. Two years ago I moved to ahouse with land and built my own stables. I worked full time, and had just one horse at that time. Moving to a new house meant that I needed to buy a companion horse for my original one, and later I bought another horse for my husband to learn to ride on.
I decided to splash out and buy rubber matting, because I was told it was easy to use and cost effective in the long run. It aslo helps horses with athritis, which one of my guys has.
It was expensive, approx 60 pounds per mat, and each 12 X 12 stable needed approx 5 mats. I used good quality straw bedding just to add banks, and because horses dont like to pee if it is likely to splash their legs. It was so easy to clean, just a quick sweep, and it drained superbly.
I found that one of my horses who suffered from COPD, was significantly better on rubber bedding, and had his first winter without needing to call a vet! MY oldest arthritic horse, was much more comfortable. He came out of the stable in the mornings, less stiff, and also appeared to lie down more than he had before on a concrete and straw surface.
I have also been able to reduce my muck heap, as it is only poo going on and not lots of wasted bedding. Because there is little bedding in my muck heap, people have been queueing up to take bags home for their gardens!
I have had these mats for 2.5 years now, and my horses live in at night all year round. There is no evidence of any wear as yet, not even in the places where they stand to eat hay. Two of my horses are 18.2hh heavy hunters, and I did expect the mats to start to wear in places after a year or two.
Downsides:- hard to actually fully clean it, which is needed every three months. The mats need lifting and hosing under, which is hard work and very dirty. It is an expensive outlay, although it is cost effective in the long run. It is hard to move (if you keep your horses in a livery yard and want to move, it would be very difficult).
