Horse Stall Flooring: Good, Better, Best

by Lisa Kiley – Published in The Horsemen’s Corral September, 2022

As summer comes to an end, the fall is a great time to get some projects done around the barn especially in preparation for the winter. Before horses are spending more time inside, maybe it’s a good idea to look at the stall floors and consider making some upgrades. Is the floor bare and uneven or covered with old mats that are askew making stall cleaning even more of a chore?

Adding mats can have several benefits for horses and saves time and money in the long run. Mats create a supportive layer, protecting your animals from the damp, cold, and hard surface which can result in soreness and fatigue. Stalls that are lined with mats are typically easier to clean and can help save on bedding costs. There are multiple rubber mat options from good, better, or best to fit virtually any budget.

Starting with an even base is the key to having mats lay flat, which will result in minimal future adjustments. The base will either be porous (like screenings, limestone, or dirt) or impervious (like concrete or asphalt). While any style of base will have pros and cons, adding rubber mats atop a well-leveled and compacted base can help amend some of these inherent issues.

GOOD – Like most horse people, you might be on a budget and are looking to get some of the benefits of adding rubber mats without breaking the bank…

BETTER – If you are looking to upgrade from standard straight edge mats, the next best choice would be a one-piece mat to prevent horses from moving individual mats…

BEST – For the best option, re-focusing back on the base is going to be the optimal way to invest in stall flooring…