When it comes to designing or upgrading your horse stable – choosing the right horse stable flooring is a crucial decision. However, it is an often overlooked aspect of your horse stable construction.

The right horse stable flooring offers the desired comfort and safety of your horses. These bring efficiency, hygiene and maintenance to the facility.

Whether you have a small private barn or a larger equestrian training area, the right investment can transform the health and safety of your horses.

Therefore, choosing the ideal flooring choice can be a tough decision. You need to look beyond cheap and DIY solutions.

Does the flooring quality matter?

Horses spend a significant amount of time standing and lying down. Hence, the surface they live on must be carefully selected.

Poor quality floorings can create strain, hoof issues, slipping hazards. The right ones can reduce injuries and make cleaning chores quite easy.

If you are building or renovating a horse stable then choosing the best flooring can add a finishing touch. These affect horses’ comfort, health, safety and long-term costs.

Hence, before investing in any flooring type, it is important to focus on the following aspects –

• Understand your flooring requirements

The right flooring is important for the health and safety of your horses. These need a stable one to avoid slips and injuries.

However, hard and unyielding floors can increase joint and tendon issues. Choosing cushioned floorings and surfaces can help to reduce fatigue.

Minus the planning, you can end up with poor quality floorings. This causes stalls to accumulate urine, moisture, beddings, waste, etc. This causes moisture build-up, odors, ammonia build-up and boosts the risks of respiratory problems.

The easier the floor is to clean, the less labour and time required. Similarly, such surfaces often last longer and cost less in repairs and downtime.

Upfront costs and long-term savings in beddings, labour and vet costs.

• Key features to consider

When comparing flooring requirements and available options, focus on the following –

• The right stable flooring must have enough give to reduce strain. However, it must be firm enough to get safe movement.
• The top surfaces should not be slippery even when wet or soiled. Textures and rubbing can be of help.
• Avoid overly smooth or shiny surfaces as these have poor traction.
• Good flooring often includes a base that allows drainage or is sloped towards the drain.

• Durability

Horses, paw, rest and turn around – the floor must resist wear, gouging, shifting or settling. The full weight, movements and even  behavior must be factored.

The base beneath matters equally. If the same is not correct then nothing else is going to work well.

• Ease of cleaning and maintenance

Floorings should simplify the stall cleaning using flat and level surfaces, minimal joints, cracks and sufficient access to drains.

Materials that resist urine and chemical damage and don’t trap moisture must be favorable.

Also consider heavy traffic areas like entryway, washing areas, grooming spaces, etc. during the flooring selection for easy access.

• Installation and base

One of the key benefits of choosing the best flooring is affordable installation costs. Further, to ensure the right base, focus on –

• Clear and compact the subsoil and remove the poor soil. This ensures a well draining base.
• Install a graded sub base like crushed rock, road base, sand or gravel mix, etc. This must be well compacted to prevent shifting.
• With a crushed rock, road base and same or gravel mix, it is possible to ensure drainage or slope. Choose to grade the floors or have a porous system to prevent pooling.
• Uneven surfaces can cause problems like holes forming, blankets of urine, etc. This can adversely impact the horse’s comfort and safety.
• If you are choosing rubber mats, it is important to fit these tightly and ensure minimal gaps. It is also important to ensure that the mats fit from wall to wall. Use adhesives or bolts to secure these.
• With poor ventilation and humidity control, problems like mold, ammonia, etc can occur.

 

Keeping floors in the best shape

Installing and maintaining floors is important. For the best results, focus on the following aspects –

• Clean stalls daily and remove manure, urine, etc. so that stalls stay dry. Reduce ammonia build-up.
• Inspect for wear and tear. Avoid mat curling, edge lifting, base settling, etc.
• Rebed the same approximately. Some surfaces may need less while others may need more bedding. Choose the right bedding to avoid discomfort.
• It is important to monitor moisture and humidity effectively. Avoid damp floors and bases that spread odor.
• Address uneven surfaces, potholes, etc. Delayed repairs cost heavily.
• Choose renovation whenever necessary.

Conclusion

For undertaking the right flooring system and project, having a trusted supplier like KTS solutions is important. These have experienced professionals who understand and suggest appropriate solutions for your stable needs.

Unlike cheap materials that have low initial costs but higher indirect costs, the KTS solutions offer long-term savings.