hoosiercountry
True Blue Farmgirl
572 Posts
karla
north port
fl
USA
572 Posts
Posted - Mar 20 2012 : 9:58:37 PM
and is putting in all cement flooring even in stalls. Now am I wrong in my thinking that this is not the best thing to do? I did question her about the hard surface and how it would put stress on the legs, but she says they will put down rubber mats. Could some of you knowledgeable horse ladies enlighten me, am I wrong in thinking that may not be the best floor in a horse stall?
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts
Posted - Mar 20 2012 : 10:42:17 PM
We've done it both ways. Our stalls are on concrete now because that is what was there. But when we built a barn to our specs we had the stalls gravel under the mats. Urine does seep between the mats and the concrete will absorb the smell where the gravel will let the urine drain a bit.
Concrete is costly! Tell your friend to reconsider gravel.
We have concrete covered with rubber stall mats. For foaling I also spread either straw or shavings. If I have to put a horse in the stall now, I add shavings.
I think the reason for concrete is ease of cleaning, ie hose off. Plus concrete is a uniform surface for the mats. I think it's pretty industry standard to use concrete covered with mats. But I've not ever been in a large commercial horse facility. I just know what people in our area do.
Another reason for concrete, if you have a horse that gets bored and starts digging. Try filling in a hole in your stall that can get as deep as 3 ft. This can happen even over night. My preference would be sand with a gravel base for drainage.
Patience is worth a bushel of brains...from a chinese fortune cookie
Friend building new horse barn
Posted - Mar 20 2012 : 9:58:37 PM
