What Can I Use Instead of Rubber Mats in Horse Stalls?

Rubber horse stall mats are a popular choice, but if you don’t want to use rubber mats in your horse stalls, there are some alternative options. From portable horse stall mats to surfaces like concrete or clay, there are many stall floor products that you can use in your barn.

Alternatives to Rubber Stall Mats

As you consider the alternatives to rubber mats for your stable, it’s important to think about your budget and the pros and cons of each flooring system. We’ve outlined some of the most popular options to help you get started.

Foam Horse Stall Mats

Foam horse stall mats can be a great option for temporary use. These portable horse stall mats feature an interlocking design that makes them easy to install. The mats feature a shock-absorbing design but also offer the durability and support of a traditional rubber mat. The 2x2-foot tiles are lightweight, so you can easily store and transport them.

Barrel racer Gracie Shepherd found that these mats were ideal for keeping her horse feeling her best while they were on the road competing. Her horse, Rosie, wasn’t stiff or sore after using the mats, which allowed her to perform better.

While these mats are versatile and ideal for taking to county fairs, state fairs, horse shows, and for other temporary use, they’re not recommended for extended or permanent use.

Limestone Dust

Many barn owners create stall floors made of limestone dust. The limestone dust needs to be installed over a base that provides drainage, and the floor must be watered and packed. When packed, limestone dust can become nearly as hard as concrete, so if you’re using this type of stall floor, you’ll need to make sure that your horses or other animals have plenty of bedding for cushion.

GeoGrid Cellular Grid Pavers can be paired with limestone dust or decomposed granite. These pavers provide filtration, helping to channel liquids away while keeping the dust in place. The pavers add stability and reinforcement, helping to keep the stall floor in place despite horse traffic.

Concrete

Concrete is a durable flooring choice, and it’s easy to clean. Concrete also has some downsides, It can be slick underfoot, leading to potential falls. It’s also very hard and can be cold, so it’s not a comfortable surface for horses. It’s usually best to use thick stall mats over concrete to buffer some of the cold, cushion your horse, and provide traction.

Sand and Clay

Floors made of sand, clay, or a mixture of the two are also popular, but they’re difficult to maintain. While the materials are economical, horses can dig down into sand and clay floors, and urine can pool and create uneven spots on the stall floor. Additionally, if horses ingest sand, they can be at increased risk for sand colic. Sand and clay can also mix into your bedding if you don’t use mats on top, which can make cleaning stalls difficult and lead to a lot of bedding waste.

Rubber Stall Mats

While there are some alternative flooring options, rubber is the top recommended stall flooring. Rubber delivers excellent anti-fatigue and cushion properties; it can help protect your horse’s joints against a hard subfloor like limestone dust or concrete. Rubber is also highly durable and can withstand years of use in a horse stall.

Our Horse Stall Mats Straight Edge Cobblestone are a highly popular choice for use not only in barns but also as horse trailer mats. These mats feature a pebble top surface to maximize traction, contributing to horse and human safety. They're crafted of a closed-cell rubber that is non-absorbent, making the mats easy to clean - you can hose them down as needed. The mats also help to insulate your horse against a cold or damp subfloor.

The mats create a smooth surface that your horses can’t paw or dig down into, so you can save on stall cleaning time and bedding costs. Plus, the mats are made of recycled rubber, making them an eco-friendly choice. They’re also the most durable and long-lasting flooring option.

Use these versatile mats in horse stalls, grooming stalls, barn aisles, feed rooms, and anywhere else where you need a durable, quality floor. You can even use them out in the pasture to create a surface to feed your horse on to keep the hay up and out of the surrounding sand. These mats are suitable for temporary or permanent use. Rubber mats may require an initial investment, but they’re also a long-lasting way to maximize your stall’s safety and comfort for your horse.

Order Your Horse Stall Flooring Today

Whether you want to buy portable horse stall mats for your temporary needs or are ready to invest in rubber stall flooring for permanent use in your stable, we have numerous products suitable for horse stalls for sale at Greatmats.


Contact the Greatmats customer service team today with any questions. We’re happy to provide additional product information and shipping quotes and to help you decide which product is best for your needs.