Stable mats are becoming increasingly popular because of the advantages they offer over other stable floor area:
Yielding. The traditional concrete floor is very hard. If you have a thick litter layer, this hardness can stress joints, possibly damaging his feet, causing sore spots, where the horse lies down to rest or sleep. Mats one smoother and more yielding surface which is more comfortable for horse and less likely to result in impactsStress injuries.
Make heat. The materials used for stable mats are naturally insulating. This applies both convenient and healthier for the horses, especially in winter.
Traction. Concrete and wood floors can Slippery When Wet, mats for better traction and reduce the risk to horses.
Smooth. Many mats have a smooth surface, much lighter than concrete or wood-to-clean surfaces.
Sterilization.Stall mats can be with a disinfectant with absorbent surfaces such as wood or soil is difficult to be sterilized. Sterilize Especially in the case of a horse contraction of an infectious disease, the ability to the barn to the ground is important.
Drainage. In contrast to concrete, so that mesh drain urine. Usually happens in the gaps between the mats, although some types of mats in the urine can dissipate through the mat itself.
Beds available. Many ownersStall mats that fewer beds needed because the mats cause the function of the beds (insulation, soft and comfortable surface, shock absorption, traction) and partly because of the ability to drain the urine means that fewer beds are polluted. This not only saves costs for bedding, but also in terms of time and money associated with stall cleaning.
A floor mat is not placed on any hard-moving surface such as concrete, asphalt and wood floors are. As such matsmore than floor, but as a stand-alone floor. Some mats (depending thicker and stronger) it may also laid on compacted stone, provided that these stones can not exceed a certain size (large stones cause shocks or) even tears in the mesh. Soft surfaces, such as earth and sand, unsuitable because they can move under the mats, which are in depressions in the mat. Finally, there may be divisions between the mats, or even tearing of the mesh.
Stall mats vary in style,Quality and performance characteristics. Consequently, selection of stable mat for individual needs requires consideration of a number of factors. The large differences between the various stand-mats are in relation to:
Material. The most commonly used material is made of rubber, although there are different types and grades of rubber used (chiefly dependent) from the manufacturer. There are also non-rubber floor mats, made of high-tech materials such as EVA. High-quality rubber --tend to cost more, but is more durable. High-tech materials such as EVA tends to be slightly different performance characteristics (eg, more shock-absorbing) and are generally easier for a given size.
Size. Mats typically vary in size from about 30cm square (one square foot) to about 2 square meters (3 square meters). But we mesh) up to 12 feet by 12 feet (nearly 4 meters by 4 meters, to have seen an entire barn with a single cover (which weighs 600Pounds, or nearly 300kg). Large mats are heavy (the larger weight 100 kg. Or complicate 200 pounds), the mediation. However, their weight and size is an advantage that it makes them less likely to move once created, and also less likely to edges and corners to curl up. Smaller mats are easier to operate. In the case of a crack or other damage, it is cheaper to replace a small piece as a great to.
Thickness. The thickness is about 1Centimeter to less than 2 centimeters. Thicker mats have 4 advantages are permanent, as a rule, are less likely to curl at the edges is less likely to move that the mats, thickness usually an indication of quality. However, such as thickness, the higher price and weight limits.
Weight. The weight depends on the type of material (EVA is much lighter than rubber) and the thickness of the mat. Heavy mats are more likely to remain in place, while light mats are very useful when youoften traveling with your horse (for example, between the horse) shows and competitions and take on such a portable mat. One of the advantages of EVA place mat is made of rubber that weighs only about one quarter as much as rubber, it is better if you often need to move.
Locking. Some mats interlock, while others are straight edges and simply rely on their weight, keep it in position. Everything else being equal (size, weight, thickness), whichCan not slip interlocking mats better and are far less likely to lift edges. Some mats are designers lock and unlock easily (for easy transportation relocated, if you often) with your horse, while others are aimed at fixed firmly in the correct position (making transport difficult, but better performance in static plants).
Quality. As with any product, the quality varies. A long warranty (5 to 10 years) is an indication of quality. Thicker mats are usually betterQuality than thin ones. Given 2 rubber mats of the same size, if much harder it is probably of better quality (this is probably a mild pure rubber, but rubber mixed and inferior), lighter materials. None of them is an absolute mark of quality, but usually they are good references. It is also worthwhile if the manufacturer has a reputation for producing high quality products. Also ask whether, the gums are revulcanized (which is good) or if the rubber haswere bound), with urethane adhesive (lower quality.
Permeable. The mats should be non-permeable, which means that urine should not be able to give the surface of the mat. If the materials or manufacturing processes of low quality, so the mats can be partially transparent, which in the urine into the mat and the production of odors.
Porous. Some mats are porous, so that the grain through the urine. However, the majority is not porous, although the urine can drain through theoccurs when meeting the mats. For smaller mats, there are more links, so that the urine is run more by more. This can be either an advantage or a disadvantage (see discussion below).
Flat, corrugated or feet down. Many mats have flat bottoms. With flat bottoms, any urine that is) under the mat (for example, by the draining of the joints between the mats imprisoned there. If you have a permeable surface under the mat (eg, compacted stone), this is not a problem, butIf you have a non-porous surface (eg concrete) under the mats, you do not want to have to develop ammonia and urine odors trapped. With trees or feet, such as urine is able to drain off (whether in practice this will depend on factors such as the slope of the document and whether it appears) into the ground.
Portable. Some mats are designers be portable, others are not. To assess factors when it comes to portability include: weight,Size, the ability to roll. If they make sure they can be locked, lock and unlock easily and without special tools.
Reversible. Some stall mats have a top and a bottom side, while others can be reversed (be reversed). The advantage of the latter is that when shows a side to take, you can flip to extent the lifespan.
Flat or textured top. Some mats have a flat and smooth top, while others have a structured top. Smooth tops areeasier to clean (the trees, or bumps) on textured mats tend to remove dirt, while providing structured tops horses with the better traction. Some people buy mats with a grooved bottom and then they rotate so that the grooved side is to be and this is especially for high-traffic areas like hallways or washed out areas (where the soap and water otherwise generate a smooth surface).
Cut to fit. Stall mats come in a variety of sizes. But the way a close fit,You need to cut the mats. In this case, ensure before you buy the mats, that they are intended to enable this.
Price. Prices vary, but as a rough indication views of 20-40 Euro per square meter.
For photos of different types (interlocking, textured), see horse floor mats.
Drainage
When the urine flows through the mesh does not rest on them, the amount of beds, which is contaminated, is greatly reduced. This reduces the amount ofTime needed to clean the stable, reduced the need for the replacement value bed linen, and reduces the amount of space required for soiled bedding.
Although these are important benefits, one must consider what happens in the urine after they have run through the mats. If the area under good drainage (eg a thick layer of gravel), then to drain the urine. However, if the area under impermeable () such as concrete, it is simply the urinebuilt under the mats, where ammonia in the air (which gave the horses in the barn, there are unhealthy, especially for producing the lungs), and unpleasant odors. Though it may from time to time you lift the mats and clean under them, the fact remains, cleaning the urine in the mats is more difficult than cleaning urine on them.
Consequently, depending on the underlying floor surface, you can prefer that flows through the urine, or if you prefer that itnot. Should, depending on your preference, you chose according to Mats: Mats little more than drain larges ones (occurring closer together, and there are more of them), straight edge mats over locking channel, porous mesh drain more than non-porous.
If you can use the mats, which allows easy flow of urine to decide, you should note the following:
Choose a mat with grooves or footed bottom so that the urine flow out of place, the case.
Try toa soil with good drainage. If this is not possible, you can run the urine, while always a floor that is flat (no dips urine pool where), smooth (so that liquids, easily) and run with an incline so that fluids drain.
Consider mats, whose design and weight make it easy to be removed upwards, allowing regular washing under the definition of the ground.
Cleaning
A barn with rubber mats are thoroughly cleaned (in the same way, and pitchfork or shovel) asall the other stable. Many people also use a regular wash with the water hose at regular intervals. If the mats under the feet or groves, this can also help ferret, which has drained through urine seen between the joints (before discussion on drainage).
It is also possible with a pressure jet. While this is very effective, be careful not to print matte jet directly against the surface, as this should keep damage to the mat (your manual pressure jet of stateMinimum distance to the pressure jet cleaning of surfaces to keep away).
When the mat must be absolutely clean, other cleaning tools that may be useful to have a brush, soap and disinfectant. Before using any chemical product on the mat, just to the instructions provided with your mat, make sure that the chemical will not hurt.
