wk 6 - stall flooring pros/cons

natural materials

dirt, clay, sand, gravel, & road base

natural materials pros

• inexpensive

• provides some cushion

• has good traction without being too abrasive

natural materials cons (1/2)

• readily softened by urine

• holes and humps from pawing or habitually standing

• holds odors

natural materials cons (2/2)

• difficult to clean

• can be dusty

• hoof abscesses

• sand colic

concrete or asphalt pros

• long lasting

• easy to maintain

concrete or asphalt cons

• abrasive to hooves

• fatiguing for a horse to stand on

• requires very deep bedding to be safe and comfortable

wood pros

• rustic ambience

• relatively inexpensive

• easy to find all year around

wood cons

• difficult to clean and sanitize

• holds unpleasant odors

• slippery when wet

• some horses are allergic to some woods

draining floors pros

• long lasting

• easy to clean

• minimizes bedding use

• some provide good cushion

draining floors cons

• urine under the flooring can lead to odor problems

• risk of colic from ingestion

solid rubber mats pros

• firm, level surface with cushion

• low maintenance

• long lasting

• when used with absorbent bedding, allows for good moisture removal

solid rubber mats cons

• some are heavy to handle

• can buckle or separate at the joints

• some can be slippery when wet

waterproof stall mattress pros

• provides cushion for standing and laying

• impermeable to moisture

• uses less bedding then rubber mats

waterproof stall mattress cons

• stall-doorway may need to be modified for installation.

• heavy and large to put in