Posted 2013-11-11 7:50 AM (#155718) Subject: Rumber flooring and mats.
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Virginia
I've had a trailer with rumber flooring for over 5 years. In the past year, I have had 3 horses go down in the last stall of the 3 horse slant. First time was a year ago and hadn't moved the trailer. Thought was a fluke. A month or so ago, a horse who had only been hauled a couple times went down (floor was wet). Yesterday, a friend of mine's horse went down and she's very experienced (floor was dry). My thoughts are that the floor has become slick with use (I haul quite frequently). Today, I will be buying mats. Does anyone have any advise on good mats and where to get them?
Posted 2013-11-11 8:51 AM (#155722 - in reply to #155718) Subject: RE: Rumber flooring and mats.
Veteran
Posts: 109
Location: Florida
I use the stall mats from Tractor Supply http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/rubber-horse-stall-mat-4-ft-x... WITH a thick bed of shavings (2 bags per stall, Tractor Supply brand of shavings) in my trailer. A down side or two of this mat, price and the weight. Not sure if I am lucky or because of the mats and shavings, I have never had a horse go down.
I would bet, your biggest problem, you are not using shavings, the horses are just on the rubber floor.
Posted 2013-11-11 10:14 AM (#155725 - in reply to #155718) Subject: RE: Rumber flooring and mats.
Member
Posts: 5
Location: Virginia
Thank you. Yes am concerned the Tractor Supply mats aren't heavy enough but am going by there later today to check them out. Was hoping someone knows of another affordable alternative. I've hauled for 20 years without shavings and never had a horse go down until a year go. Always had rubber mats prior to the Rumber flooring.
Posted 2013-11-11 10:29 AM (#155726 - in reply to #155718) Subject: RE: Rumber flooring and mats.
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
I always had lots of shaving on my rumber floor and never had a problem. But I only had the trailer for 5 years. I did use it a lot, but maybe you have had more wear than I. But the shavings will help
Posted 2013-11-11 11:24 AM (#155729 - in reply to #155718) Subject: RE: Rumber flooring and mats.
Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
I think that Rumber material is more plastic than rubber...
Tractor supply rubber mats are plenty heavy... Been using them in concrete stalls for 15 years, never had to replace one. A hacksaw is you friend if you ever have to cut one.... Sawsall, jigsaw, etc., will get hot and gum up.
Posted 2013-11-11 1:54 PM (#155737 - in reply to #155729) Subject: RE: Rumber flooring and mats.
Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Watertown, TN
Originally written by retento on 2013-11-11 11:24 AM
I think that Rumber material is more plastic than rubber...
Tractor supply rubber mats are plenty heavy... Been using them in concrete stalls for 15 years, never had to replace one. A hacksaw is you friend if you ever have to cut one.... Sawsall, jigsaw, etc., will get hot and gum up.
DITTO.Plus TSC has the mats on rolls as well for a custom fit if the standard mats don't fit your trailer.
Posted 2013-11-11 3:02 PM (#155744 - in reply to #155718) Subject: RE: Rumber flooring and mats.
Regular
Posts: 69
We have this floor as well and the floor gets really slick right at the door wet or dry. We needed up putting a single mat down to provide better footing. Also we use plenty of shavings.
Posted 2013-11-12 8:08 AM (#155759 - in reply to #155725) Subject: RE: Rumber flooring and mats.
Veteran
Posts: 109
Location: Florida
Originally written by Cowgirl999 on 2013-11-11 11:14 AM
Thank you. Yes am concerned the Tractor Supply mats aren't heavy enough but am going by there later today to check them out. Was hoping someone knows of another affordable alternative. I've hauled for 20 years without shavings and never had a horse go down until a year go. Always had rubber mats prior to the Rumber flooring.
When I was talking about mat weight... I was saying they are heavy. Adding 100+ lbs to a trailer per mat isn't the best thing. As in my H2H trailer... I needed 6 mats to do the complete floor, that's 600lbs of dead weight, half a horse. But the good over comes the bad for the horses comfort and protection.
So far, it looks like you can save alot of money by what people have posted here... Maybe one mate needed at the load area and time to start using shavings. Good luck with your choice/decision.