Any thoughts on the interlocking stall mats vs. the regular ones?  Anyone use the Mighty lites?  I have 3 new stalls to do and would like to save the money if the interlocking ones or lite ones aren't worth the extra price.

Thanks,

Are you looking at the interlocking ones that have the little holes for drainage? The problem with the interlocking ones is the stall floor has to be very level and firmly packed, other wise the inter-locking pieces stick-up over time by the horses weight compressing the ground where they stand the most. Most of the inter-locking mats are used for temporary use on hard flat surfaces like concrete or on horse trailer floors.

Also, the drainage holes are a good concept, but not practical for my type of soil here in Kansas. We have lots of clay and the urine will not drain easily away; even when using crushed limetone under the mats. Therefore, amonia will build up in the barn. I use those solid rubber 3/4 inch, 4x6 stall mats. A lesson I learned from using these is to leave a 1/4 to 1/2 space along the stall wall for ground swell in the winter. I have a southeast facing stall with paddock access that has one mat curling on the corner. I am going to have to pull the mats out and trim. Stall is 12x12 and a pain to pull the mats, but the curling corner is driving me nuts! I have 2 inches of 1/2 inch gravel then 2 inches of gravel screenings with the mats on top. This made a very good base and easy to level with a 2x4. Then placed "more like dragged" the mats into place. I save a bunch on shavings and the pee spot is easy to remove daily.

One more thing, my neighbors has had good success with the using a wall to wall stall floor system that has tubes of sand, then a once piece poly-plastic sheeting over the tubes. Very Cushy. They had to use this system since they poured concrete in the entire barn and then built the stalls. So the horses are standing on concrete. Hence the need for a cushy floor system that had no drainage anywhere.

If I could afford it, I'd like to try StableCoat in one of my stalls to see how it performs. It's kinda like WERM flooring in concept. Very cool product.

I don't like interlocking stall mats, but that's just me.  I like really heavy mats, we are talking so heavy you just about can't move them and they cost an arm and a leg but they'll last for 20 years (oh, I'm getting old!)

As to the above post ANY stall should be level and packed firm.  Horses shouldn't have to stand over or in holes it's not good for their legs or hooves.  I'm not a fan of dirt floor stalls because they crater in the middle and you never get the urine out 100% so they smell nasty.  My stalls are dirt floor packed hard and sealed with plastic then heavy stall mats and shavings.  I get the benefits of dirt without the drawbacks, best part is my stalls and be sanitized.  Just clean all the shavings out, vacuum the edges and apply cleaner to walls and floor...this should be done twice a year.  My barn after 20 years still doesn't smell like horse live in it.

Jean, reading your questions I can't help but think you are asking about my post...if this is the case here are your answers.

I used a very heavy plastic folded and rolled up, you can find it with construction materials (my father actually found mine so all I can do is offer the description.)  When I say heavy, I'm talking 3 times the thickness of a good heavy trash bag and similar material we have it in both black and clear and it came on large rolls.  Rolled it out and cut to length, with about 3-4 foot overlap at the seams and taped to seal and stop shifting while the mats were applied.  The plastic was dusted with lime and the mats placed on top with tight joints (you could fill them with caulk if necessary, like our vet does with his.)  Just put shavings in and you're done!

I will note that around the outer edge of the stall I placed an extra 2 inches of sand so that the mats would slightly round up at the stall walls.  This was done to keep any urine from running under the metal stall frames and rusting them out from the bottoms.  If you don't think this is a big deal then look at the bottom edge of metal stalls next time you travel.

I hope this gives you some helpful information, and good luck with your stalls!

Great idea about the caulking! I have been fighting urine getting into the seam of my rubber mat since my old horse only goes in one spot in his stall and this idea will fix the problem. Learn something new everyday. :)