Stable Mats - Good Management Suggestions

While every horse and pony has their own little quirks, you as the owner will know how often you need to clean out, and what to expect when you change your animals diet for instance.

In the same way, using rubber matting is a learning exercise, and may differ from horse to horse depending on how active they are in the stable, how often they pee (and how much!), if they lie down, roll about, eat their bedding, like to kick and make a noise, etc etc

Here are some good tips on basic management of your stable and rubber stable mats.

Laying Mats - before laying your mats we suggest that a powder disinfectant is spread on the floor (which should be dry) before laying.

Fitting - see our fitting instructions to ensure the best fit in your stable.

Cleaning Mats - sweeping mats in situ is best with a short, stiff bristled broom - for picking up muck use a round tined fork and light-weight plastic shovel.

Keep Mats Flat - ensure that no bedding becomes tucked under the edge of the mats - this can happen if a horse turns on a seam - simply lift the edge of the mats, sweep any bedding out and press the mat down into place.

Complete Clean - depending on how wet your horse makes the stable, mats should be dragged out (note where each mat is fitted in the stable to ensure they go back in the same place) and clean down with warm water, detergent (to de-grease) and disinfectant. Check the floor to ensure there are no problems (some older concrete - especially when there is no damp-proof membrane - can deteriorate over time). Clean the floor thoroughly  -  allow both floor and mats to dry and replace into original positions.

Drainage - where mats are used in especially wet stables, or where they are laid to allow fluid to drain under, they should be checked regularly to ensure free drainage. Sediment accumulates under the mats and clogs up the drainage channels - this needs to be washed away. With mats cush as Croctop mats, designed for floors with a good drainage fall, this can be aceheved by pressure washing under the mats by simply lifting a corner and directing the water jet under the mat.

Check Walls - with non-porous mats, fluids may run to the wall edges and it is a good idea to check these - especially where plywood lining is taken to the floor, to ensure that the wall material is not rotting. Typically stud-work walls should be fixed onto a course of engineering brick which is non-porous, but where wood has been fixed direct to the floor, this should be regularly checked.

Wear - being flexible, rubber will wear on the top surface (in the same way that the tread on your tyres wears). While the pattern on rubber may wear down, the slip resistance is not normally affected and in many cases is actually enhanced as the surface gains a more matt finish. This is normal wear and as long as the correct mats have been installed initially, will remain effective for at least 10 years in use. You shuold however check for cuts in the mats - typically from sharp nails in shoes. We can offer advice on mending cuts and tears - simply contact us with details (and pictures) and we'll get straight back to you.