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delly-b
Gold Member
 United Kingdom
1107 Posts |
 Posted - 27 Dec 2009 : 2:55:43 PM
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Hi all, hope you all had good Christmas?
I just want to ask your opinions on which type stable mats are best and why?
Just been looking and they come in all different thicknesses, styles, types of rubber...
What is EVA??
are the larger mats better considering weight for lifting etc...
I have rather large stables and would only be fitting to back half and think 6 6x4 mats would be enough...
Advise please, thanks
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Adele
Batley, West Yorkshire |
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Pashon2001
Platinum Member
3575 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2009 : 3:28:25 PM
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| If you are only fitting to the back half you will have to screw them down otherwise they will walk. I have 18mm mats, bought locally, and have had no problems with them at all, the only one who has worn any out is my chronic weaver!! Go and have a look and see what you like. The bobbly ones can be a pain to sweep though. Mine are made from recycled tyres. |
     
www.jarvastud.com http://hocon.webs.com/ |
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stuart
Silver Member
United Kingdom
335 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2009 : 4:27:51 PM
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Do you want them down and sealed, or would you rather lift them periodically?
Those questions may hone your decision.
I went for down for all time 9 yrs ago - no regrets yet!
I like the lightweight liftable ones in the trailer as well though.....
There are mats to suit all purposes and budgets now |
North Norfolk |
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phoenixbruka
Gold Member
England
1190 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2009 : 9:34:58 PM
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I have EQUIMATS in most of my stables and they are FANTASTIC! takj no notice what the price on the website says, if you phone them up and ask what their very best price is you'd be AMAZED how much it drops! 
They are EVA and nice and thick, do a brilliant job, easy to move and lock together so they dont move about.
I wouldn't have anything else 
If you have a look on my website you can see them in the stables
susie |
   
www.liveryatcordwell.co.uk |
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Linette
Bronze Member
Scotland
103 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2009 : 1:27:09 PM
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EVA mats are some kind of rubber blend so they are much lighter than rubber ones. I had rubber ones for years but SO heavy to lift in spring to wash the stables out so I have gradually phased them out for EVA ones which I can lift with one hand. Either type of mat will start to move across your stable if you are only doing some of it so will need fixing down. I like the ones with pimples underneath so pee runs through the joining cracks and comes out underneath the mats at the front (as my stables slope slightly). Some mats have these, some are flat to the ground. Some interlock but sometimes these will ruck over time as both types, rubber and EVA will expand slightly so if you cut them to fit, leave a few mm gap to allow for this spread otherwise they end up pushing up against each other and the edges will curl.
My EVA ones are 22mm and I still use a good size straw bed on top to keep the rugs clean. I use the mats to protect legs and for warmth rather than economising on the bed.
I got my latest batch of EVA mats off ebay but there are the specialist sellers such as fieldguard and you can also get them through derby house, rideaway etc I think.
EVA may have slightly shorter life than the heavy rubber ones, but both types should do years, 10+ at least. The cost difference between basic rubber ones and EVA is not much, it is only when you start looking at the specialist mats such as some of the fieldguard ones that act as a complete bed, that the cost starts to rise.
Hope this helps. |
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moonlight
Platinum Member
2000 Posts |
Posted - 28 Dec 2009 : 7:58:42 PM
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| Equimats brilliant and I found excellent customer service too, as a repeat customer they gave me a very good deal, highly recommended! |
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delly-b
Gold Member
United Kingdom
1107 Posts |
Posted - 30 Dec 2009 : 3:12:03 PM
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Hi, thanks for your replies...
Typically all the companies seem to be closed for the holidays at the moment so I cant even get any quotes etc... just when I had talked OH into going to view some!
I think I will look at the eva ones...
My smalled stable is about 24' x 14'6", so I am only intending doing the back half.. I was planning to put wooden batton across the front of them to stop them moving... would I need any clearance round edges or should I leave small gap for expansion?
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Adele
Batley, West Yorkshire |
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jillandlomond
Platinum Member
Scotland
3586 Posts |
Posted - 30 Dec 2009 : 7:05:27 PM
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I bought my EVA mats from Robinsons Catalogue 5 years ago and they are still in fab condition My stables are 12'x12' and I only laid 4 mats (6'x4') in each stable. The doors are open permanently, so the horses can come and go as they please . Never had any problems with them moving either (well perhaps 0.5cm but nothing to worry about!). I don't use any bedding either as they're soft enough to easily cushion the weight of a horse. |
    
Borders, Scotland |
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Songbird
Bronze Member
England
152 Posts |
Posted - 04 Jan 2010 : 7:41:28 PM
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| I fitted Zaks stable with mats 13 years ago and they are still almost like new . They were called the 'original Canadian'rubber mats , I put some in my lorry 11 years ago too and they look like new . Can't recommend them enough if you can still get them . They're 3/4 in thick and measure 6' x 4'. We have them in several stables now. |
Kit Rolfe |
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Topic |
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Which Stable Mat??
