Having a dirt floor, as you will know if you have one, can be a lot of work. They take a lot of maintenance, especially when used with a straw bed. Have you ever thought how much easier your life would be if there was another choice. So what are the alternatives to a dirt floor in horse stalls? And what are the advantages of these alternatives?
When you are considering alternatives to a dirt floor in your horses stall there are a number of issues you need to take into account. Cost effectiveness, ease of cleaning, benefits to the horse and benefits to you.
An increasing number of people are using rubber matting in their horses stall. So whats all the fuss about? Rubber matting is very cost effective in the long run, although the initial outlay may seem expensive, it pays for itself over time.
If you look after it by cleaning it thoroughly and on a regular basis rubber matting can last for years. Damage done by the ammonia in horses urine will ruin the matting quicker than anything else but by following a cleaning regime this can be avoided. If you compare how long the matting will last to how much you would spend on straw or other alternative bedding you can see the cost advantage in the long run of rubber matting.
If a horse suffers health problems such as allergies or respiratory problems then you will know that using straw or other traditional bedding can make this problem worse. Rubber matting can help eliminate problems with allergies as it is dust free. This can mean a reduction in vets fees and more quality time spent with your horse when he is feeling fit and healthy.
Some horses can become ill if they eat their bedding, which some horses like to do. Rubber matting stops this problem if you do not add any additional bedding, therefore preventing weight gain and possible ill health. As well as frustration for the owner!
In order for your horse to be extra comfortable in the winter, despite the fact that rubber flooring can be surprisingly warm and comfortable, you can add an extra layer of your chosen bedding. Adding a thin layer of bedding can absorb pools of urine too.
No one enjoys the sore back and hands that are the inevitable result of cleaning out a traditional horses bed. Most people don't enjoy getting up extra early on a cold winters morning to spend an hour on their horses bed either! Perhaps the biggest advantage to rubber flooring is how easy it is to clean, maintain and look after.
All you need to clean your rubber matting is a hose pipe. You sweep out any bedding that you have put on the rubber matting and then clean the matting with water and a mild cleaning agent to ensure your matting does not get damaged by urine laying on it. Make sure you rinse the cleaning agent thoroughly to avoid adverse effects for your horse.
If you like the idea of the comparative ease with which rubber mats can be maintained then it is something that might be worth looking into for you. Your horse is most likely happy with his current bedding arrangements, but he might be even happier with matting.
Looking for a cost-effective stall flooring for your horses? These environmentally-friendly rubber mats may be just what you need. Rubber stall flooring provides comfortable support for your horses, and helps to relieve joint pressure by absorbing shocks.
