I have 4 12x16 stalls and already purchased Stall Savers for them. We are currently laying down DG as a base, but I think I need more cushion… I’m at a loss. I plan on bedding the stalls really deep, but i don’t want to rely on that for cushion.
I have older horses that will probably spend a few hours a day in stalls.
Stall Savers are not designed to provide cushion. They really just create a barrier between the bedding and your stall flooring/base. Properly installed, they allow urine to drain down and away from the stalls, saving on bedding costs and reducing odors.
I love mine, but they aren’t for everyone. If you’re installing over compacted limestone, make sure you follow their installation instructions as far as creating a drainage pit to the letter. I put mine down over looser, larger gravel instead of anything compacted and have been very happy with those results. A friend of mine installed hers over rubber “mulch” (with that being laid down over the recommended drainage-friendly base) and has also had a lot of success. That might be something for you to consider as far as cushion goes. It’s not cheap, but, were I to do mine over, I might spring for that in at least my foaling stall.
I use straw for bedding, so cushion isn’t something I really need from the Stall Savers, though. I tried every type of common bedding available, and straw was the hands-down winner for working optimally with the Stall Savers.
And - do not let just anyone pick your stalls. If you have someone who aggressively scrapes/scoops, they will poke a hole in the felt layer and it becomes a nightmare to pick.
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The only barn I’ve been in that has stall savers smells to high heaven. Those horses are only in overnight, it gets great ventilation down the aisle, and the barn itself is a bit higher than the surrounding barn yard but something is wrong about the way it drains off urine. The owner keeps an immaculate property; so there is something amiss in it’s foundation. Be careful and follow the directions!
They really are just a filter to keep the floor from getting pitted from digging out pee holes. Cushion is all from your bedding.
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I assume that is a barn that is (a) using pelleted bedding, sawdust, or fine shavings and/or (b) didn’t properly set up the drainage in their base.
Any bedding material with fine particles will clog the pores in the Stall Savers, reducing the draining ability. I only ever use pelleted bedding when I have a mare in pre-foaling, and then only in her preferred pee spot. I generally only have my horses in for meals, unless one is due to foal or the weather is absolutely terrible, but my stalls also double as run-ins (aka pony toilets), and they never, ever smell like urine.
Like I said, Stall Savers aren’t for everyone. But, when installed and used as designed, they’re a great option and super economical.
Oh I agree completely. They can be great.
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The guy who installed my Stall Savers in my first barn didn’t understand the drainage concept, yet my barn never smelled. I used pellets and fine shavings.
I found it interesting that SS are supposed to drain, then they say to use a minimum of 8 inches of bedding. What’s going to drain through 8 inches of shavings? I used more like 4 inches.
What I think is a shame, is that there’s no product to use like Stall Savers that doesn’t drain. I inquired about buying the cover for stall mattresses separately and they cost more than 3/4" mats! I’d like an “easy to cut and handle” way to protect from hock sores. I have considered using waterproofing spray on Stall Savers if I put them in my new barn.
Does your friend see any movement in the mulch? Im also all set for SS (even have a french drain under compacted base), but I’m worried about such a hard base and like the idea of the mulch. Ive read about it not being very stable. My horses will be in about 6 hrs a day for feedings.
I just asked her for you. She said she is loving the rubber mulch, even over a base that doesn’t permit much drainage at all. There has been a little bit of shifting but not enough to bother her. She originally did 2" of mulch but went back and added an additional 1" under a few spots where it had settled a little and wasn’t draining as well.
Hope that helps!
That helps lots! thank you.
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