When it comes to stall flooring, there are several issues at play. The proper material is suitable for your horse’s unique needs, and yet fits well into your budget. A little bit of time and effort can be required in order to meet both of these criteria.

Stables tend to provide either dirt or concrete floors for their stalls. But the material that the actual floor is made of is less important than what goes on top of it. Bedding provides the real footing and comfort for your horse, and thus can be considered to be of greater importance. Also, unless you own the stable in question, you are unlikely to be able to do anything about the type of floor the owners choose.

If you do not intend to use bedding, or if your horse digs through the bedding and reaches the sub-floor, there are some distinct advantages and disadvantages to concrete and dirt both. Dirt provides good traction and is somewhat absorbent, which are both advantages. However, it can easily become contaminated with microorganisms, and it will smell if enough urine penetrates to this level.

In terms of keeping it clean, concrete is definitely easier. But it is a slippery, unnatural surface that horses can have trouble keeping their footing on, especially those with shoes. While bedding keeps most horses from interacting directly with the subfloor, some horses will dig enough to expose it. Placing rubber mats under the bedding can help keep these horses from slipping, though.

The two most common types of bedding material, are probably not coincidentally, also the cheapest. Straw and sawdust are available at low prices, and the latter is sometimes even free if collected from a local sawmill. However, pelleted wood and paper, as well as shavings and other commercial bedding materials, also have their ardent followers.

Straw and sawdust are somewhat opposite each other in their pros and cons. Straw tends to not be very absorbent, but is also not very dusty. For this reason, it is recommended for horses with respiratory issues and for young foals. Sawdust is more absorbent, but can be dusty, which makes it a poor choice for horses with lung issues.

Although at first they might seem very expensive, pellets are actually not that pricey. The main difference is that a much thinner layer of them is used than straw or sawdust. They combine some of the better features of sawdust and straw – they are absorbent whilst simultaneously being non-dusty. A bit of water dusted over them creates a softer texture than the original, hard pellets.

Each horse has individual needs, and the budget of each owner is different, as well. No one type of stall flooring is the best choice in all cases – rather, owners should investigate what is available, what their particular horse needs, and what they can afford. More experienced equestrian owners, vets, and other equine professionals can be a good source of additional information.

Looking for a cost-effective horse mats for your horses? These environmentally-friendly horse rubber mats may be just what you need. These horse stall mats provide comfortable support for your horses, and help to relieve join pressure and can absorb shocks.