Stable & Paddock Equipment

What type of flooring is suitable for the stable?

Horses have certain requirements for their stable flooring. Horses often stand, lie down, and sleep in their stables for several hours a day. Therefore, the stable flooring should be such that it does not overstrain the joints and, consequently, the muscles of the horse. Four criteria regarding the stable flooring must be considered for the keeping of horses:

• Absorbency
• Slip resistance
• Thermal insulation
• Deformability

Firstly, the flooring of a stable should be slip-resistant to non-slip. The best solution here is to use sufficiently thick bedding, which not only provides the necessary grip but also the necessary absorbency. Many stables are lined with concrete, which radiates a lot of cold in winter and becomes slippery when wet - this can pose a risk of slipping, especially when there is little bedding.
In addition to sufficient bedding, rubber mats can be used to help create more ideal conditions for the horse. Rubber mats are malleable and yield to pressure to a certain extent, which protects the horse's joints. They offer horses a high level of comfort thanks to their slight cushioning effect, without being too soft. Furthermore, stable mats provide sufficient grip and thermal insulation even when damp. However, they do not absorb moisture, which is why stable mats cannot replace absorbent bedding. Overall, stable mats meet three of the four criteria for a good stable floor and can be a useful addition to bedding for many horses.
In our Stable & Pasture Equipment, you'll find our puzzle stable mats as a suitable stable flooring. These can be easily laid and cut to size, thus lying particularly quietly in the stable. They offer your horse good grip under both horseshoes and bare hooves and insulate against cold from below in winter.

What surface is suitable for the turnout pen?

A turnout pen can be used in horse keeping in various ways. On one hand, it can serve as an extension of the stable, and provide necessary light and fresh air. On the other hand, turnout pens can be used as exercise areas for group-housed or stabled horses during winter. The ground plays a crucial role in turnout pens. It should be firm and dry to prevent horses from sinking into mud and developing mud fever or thrush. Therefore, many turnout pens feature water-permeable grid mats, however these can become extremely slippery for horses hooves without a proper footing layer.

Additionally, paddock mats can be a sensible option to keep the turnout pen floor dry and stable. However, you should first dry, level, and build up the subsoil or base layer before laying out paddock mats as a separating layer. Otherwise, the natural ground can shift the mats, potentially creating a tripping hazard for the horses. Moreover, ensure there is proper water drainage beneath the mats. Paddock mats are also popular in barn aisles or wash bays due to their non-slip surface.

What should my horse have in its stable?

• Non-slip flooring
• Absorbent bedding
• Manger
• Automatic drinker
• Lick in a lick holder

Depending on how and at what intervals your horse receives its forage, you can provide its portion of hay in a haynet.

Do you have a playful horse? Then a horse toy might be suitable for your four-legged friend, which can be a useful addition to the basic equipment of a stable box.

For more organisation in the stable, you can attach a bridle- or saddle rack to the outside of the stable. You'll find even more accessories for a tidy tack room in the respective category. And so everyone knows who is in the stable, a sign with the horse's name and emergency phone numbers is also a sensible idea.

At Kramer Equestrian, you can equip your stable with all the necessary accessories: from feeding with mangers and automatic drinkers, to keeping your horse occupied with horse toys. We've also taken care of the necessary equipment for mucking out with manure forks and brooms.