Stable mats or horse mats are a great solution to providing a comfortable and warm bed and/or standing surface for your horses and other livestock, as well as saving time and money on cleaning and bedding.
Stable mats are usually made from either rubber or EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate)but the question is which material is best? Here we aim to give you the rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of stable mat, to help you choose the best solution for you and your horses.
Cost & Value
EVA stables mats are generally cheaper than traditional rubber stable mats, because the EVA foam is made from man-made materials, in contrast with solid rubber stable mats that contain a high percentage of natural, costly materials.
Handling & Transportation
EVA stable mats are approximately one fifth of the weight of a traditional rubber stable mat, which makes them easier to lift and move for cleaning and for transportation. EVA mats are made from a composite of both foam and rubber, this is what makes them much lighter than solid rubber stable mats. They are also more comfortable for your horse, reducing the need for any bedding at all.
Rubber stable mats, however, can be bonded and sealed to the floor, to provide a water tight surface. This eliminates the need to move the mats for cleaning underneath.
EVA mats are not suitable for bonding or sealing.
Durability
Solid rubber stable matting has been used for many years, and are well known for being extremely hard wearing, long lasting and durable. You can expect a solid rubber stable mat to last 15 years or more with normal equestrian use.
The lifetime of an EVA stable mat will be shorter than a solid rubber mat, however they should still last at least 5 years with normal usage.
Hammer Top Rubber Stable Mat
So, EVA or Rubber?
The modern EVA stable mats are cheaper, lighter and comfier than traditional rubber stable mats. However, rubber stable mats have been tried and tested in equestrian environments for many years.
EVA stable mats are best suited for light to medium weight horses or ponies and in stables with flat floors with no central drain. For heavier horses and for stables that have an uneven surface, we would recommend using solid rubber mats, which are longer lasting and also slightly more flexible.
If you need helping choosing stable mats, or any other types of matting for that matter, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0121 313 6748, sales@mats4u.co.uk or via live chat.
