Horse Stall Flooring

All horse stall flooring should have some 'give' to decrease tendon and foot strain, be resistant to odors, provide traction and be durable, low maintenance and easy to clean.

Respiratory illness, joint pain, hoof problems and injuries are often the result of a poorly constructed floor that is damp, hard, slippery or poorly drained.

A good horse stall floor will save time and money—and keep your horse happier and healthier.

Dig out the floor to a well draining layer of soil, usually at least 1 foot. Level that base layer so that each subsequent layer stays even. Compact the base and fill with dirt or stone dust. If possible, add layers until your floor's surface is 12 to 18 inches above the natural grade around the barn. This will help moisture drain away from the stall and barn. It also keeps things dry during heavy rain.

Stall Flooring

Packed dirt or clay is easy on the legs. This is not a good choice for diggers and pawers (you know who you are!). It also requires regular maintenance and may hold odors if not cleaned and deodorized thoroughly. These floors need to be kept level to prevent injury and leg strain to your horse.

Wood, unless uneven and warped, is easy on your horse's legs. It can, however, splinter and crack. Wood floors require bedding material to avoid scrapes and splinters. Wood floors will need deodorizing to keep odors at bay.

Plastic grid flooring provides a permeable floor plus a level, stable, durable surface. Most plastic grid floors are laid over a well-draining subsurface so that moisture not absorbed by bedding will drain away. Usually, the holes in the grid are filled with stone dust.

Concrete is level and easy to clean but it can be slippery when wet. It is hard on the legs and needs rubber matting or thick bedding.

Rubber matting provides traction and cushioning on concrete or asphalt. It also protects dirt floors from digging. They can prevent calluses and ease achy, arthritic joints. We recommend 3/4" pure rubber mats. Thinner mats will not lay flat and wear out quickly.

When planning your horse stall, consider the long term costs as well as the initial expense. A dirt floor is cheap, but costs a lot in labor over the long run. Quality rubber mats may cost more at first, but you won't need to replace them as often. And bedding costs will continue to rise, so the less you'll need the more you'll save!

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