Mats for traction in barn aisle?

[Leather]

I’m glad you posted about these. I’ve been wanting to get mats for the part of my barn that is used as a run in and has concrete.

Because my one mare didn’t get the memo that horses don’t like to pee on hard, flat surfaces I’ve been hesitant to put down rubber mats because I envisioned having to try to move heavy stinky mats to periodically clean under them. I figured foam mats might be a little easier to move to clean.

I had been looking at other foam mats but you get killed on shipping. It’s awesome that these have free shipping!

They arrived yesterday and I put them in. They were actually sturdier than I had thought they’d be. Like you said they probably aren’t quite as durable as some of the others, but if shipping stays free I’m sure I could buy multiple sets before the cost caught up to the more expensive ones.

We’ll see how long it takes Ms. Mare to “baptize” them. :rolleyes:

[avjudge]

Leather & OP, how was the company to deal with? I checked out reviews on the company and it seems lots of people are reporting bad CS experiences.

[Leather]

In general it was pretty good. I had to call them a couple of times due to a shipping snafu but it got sorted out fairly easily. I found their CS folks to be good to deal with.

(The issue was tied to me fat-fingering my CC expiration date and having my first transaction be declined. That order was still pending in the system when I placed my correct order, and for some reason it hung up the correct order from shipping.)

I plan on placing a second order again, and I’m guessing this time will be much smoother!

[rhymeswithfizz]

@avjudge

Leather & OP, how was the company to deal with? I checked out reviews on the company and it seems lots of people are reporting bad CS experiences.

I never dealt with CS – order was easy and seamless.

Our farrier has been raving about the new floor too!

[avjudge]

I made the plunge and placed an order - shipped promptly and my only complaint is with Fedex, which posted a wildly optimistic delivery date (for two separate purchases the same week, both crossing most of the country by truck & impossible to reach me in the original timeframe given - very strange). Installation has been delayed so hoping they work out for us!

Thanks to those who posted & brought them to my attention.

[rhymeswithfizz]

We do have some hoof prints now that aren’t poofing back up, right where the farrier was working and probably put sharp, un-filed hooves down. Just slight indentations but you can see it. Does not really bother me since the traction is superb (especially now that we are experiencing snow and ice on them), but be warned that this product won’t be as “pretty” a floor over time as say those hard rubber tiles. We weren’t really going for pretty though, and it was a lot cheaper, so I’m okay with it.

[Azshena]

Did those mats from rubber flooring inc hold up? Did you use any in stalls?

[rhymeswithfizz]

Just in the aisleway. I don’t know that they are resilient enough for stalls since there are so many edges. Five years later, the ones that get exposed to regular sunshine at the entryway have degraded a bit and gotten somewhat thin, while the ones deeper in the aisleway are still in excellent condition. I’d still say they are more functional than pretty or fancy, but no one in my rambunctious herd has slipped on my floors since these went in! Still very happy. I should probably get a handful of new ones for the entryway.

[PaddockWood]

I bought 4x6 “seconds” from Cashman’s and have them 60 feet down my concrete aisles and that was money well spent.

Also highly recommend interlocking mats in stalls. They’ll never move and that is priceless.

Straight Edge Mats - Cashmans

[avjudge]

@Azshena

Did those mats from rubber flooring inc hold up? Did you use any in stalls?

Wow, I’ve had those for 4 1/2 years?!? I used them in a stall but with significant bedding over them and only occasional use. We had two llamas in the stall nights for two winters (Dec.-May) until their run-in shed was built, and we will throw my horse in there to hold her for a while (15 minutes to an hour or two) but only a few times a month, and a few days of stall rest last summer and this summer. With that use they look as good as new. Sorry I cannot be helpful about how they will hold up to harder use.

[Azshena]

Thanks!