Horse Stall Mats - Types, Advantages and Disadvantages
Horse stall mats are becoming increasingly popular, due to the advantages they provide over other stall floor surfaces:
- Yielding. The traditional concrete floor is very hard. Unless you provide a thick layer of bedding, this hardness can stress joints, possibly injure feet, and cause sore points where the horse lays down to rest or sleep. Mats provide a softer and more yielding surface which is more comfortable for horses and less likely to result in impact stress injuries.
- Warmth. The materials used to make horse stall mats are naturally insulating. This is both more comfortable and healthier for horses, especially in winter.
- Traction. Concrete and wooden floors can be slippery when wet; mats provide better traction and reduce this risk to horses.
- Smooth. Many mats have a smooth surface, which is much easier to clean than concrete or wood surfaces.
