Picking Through Products On top of a subfloor, you can choose among special products made for the horse's comfort. Shaped as mats, interlocking tiles, or modular materials, these safety surfaces provide a level cushion. Rubber mats are a popular choice in many new and existing barns. Mats are butted tightly against each other to cover wall to wall, with edges cut at 90-degree angles for close seams. Most mats are molded from recycled tires, in a revulcanization process.
Different brands can vary in quality of material, bonding method, and design.
Rubber mats also can be reinforced with vinyl. Most mats are molded to be three-quarters of an inch thick. The rubber provides a resilient, comfortable surface. Placed over dirt or crushed rock, the mat reduces dust in the stall. You don't have as much arthritis in the joints as you do when a horse is standing on dirt.