Hanging Stall Mats

[equusfreak]

I have a metal framed run in shelter that I need to line with something. The outside of the shelter is just tin, and I had put panels up inside to keep the horses from kicking the tin. One of my horses apparently rolled in the shelter and got his foot through the panels, and made a mess of the tin, but didn’t go through. My horses are not kickers, but it did point out to me that I need a lining inside. I was planning on putting 3/4" plywood, but that turns out to be quite expensive, and I’m worried that the horses will chew it.

So what about hanging stall mats? The mats would have to be secured to the metal frame, and there’d be a 2" gap between them and the tin wall. I’d be able to secure 4 sides all down, like a picture frame. I’d like opinions on if the mats would handle being hung like that without tearing? And suggestions for how to attach them? I can’t bolt, they’d have to be screwed, with self drilling screws. I think that screwing them in would just invite them to tear, so I’d need to add something (washers??)

[clanter]

find a source for oak rough cut boards at least 2 inches thick … much easier and less expensive that mats. Our 4by6 mats weigh just less than a ton each (I think)… after just unloading them and putting them flat on the concrete it was workout … I believe a crane would be need to hang one to a wall

[js]

Line with 3/4" plywood (outdoor approved). The mats are flexible, if they kick thru to one it will give and you may still have the same issue. You will find it extremely difficult to drill thru a mat to screw it to the tin. You need to put up something that is solid so if a hoof goes thru it contacts something that will not give.

[Bluey]

We use 3/4 outside rated plywood, all the way to the top, screwed into the metal framing.
Never had one broken or chewed yet and some have been there decades.
We did frame our sheds to fit 4x8 sheets of plywood.

Here is a company that makes horse sheds and this is how they line them, with single boards:

https://amarillo.craigslist.org/grd/…421515531.html

Here, we put the plywood sheets flush, or the yellow jackets love to get behind them if they can find a hole to go thru and so cause a different problem.

Rubber mats may work if you are only going 4’ high.
Screws and washers on the top side will hold them up, is what is done for stall walls some horses kick mercilessly, to keep them from hurting themselves.

You may have stuff get behind them, like our wasps, if you don’t put screws all around and very close.

[merrygoround]

I’m in favor of oak, or hickory or any other unchewable wood. If your still want mats, hang them from the thick planks. Use screws with washers .