Case Study: Equestrian Centre Cuts Bedding Costs by 60% with Rubber Stable Mats Across 40 Stables
The Challenge
Highfield Equestrian Centre runs a full livery yard near Newmarket with forty stables housing competition horses, racehorses in light training, and private liveries. Yard manager Sarah Brent had been dealing with hoof-related complaints from livery clients for two seasons by the time she decided the concrete floors needed addressing systematically rather than case by case.
Four horses in the yard had developed pedal bone-related issues that their vets linked, at least in part, to the impact of standing on concrete for extended periods. Two were Thoroughbreds with existing sensitivities; the other two were horses spending longer than average periods stabled during injury recovery. The vets' recommendations consistently included "reduce concussion on stable floor" — difficult to achieve through bedding alone on bare concrete.
The bedding cost issue was also significant. Deep-bedded concrete stables require substantial volumes of straw or shavings. Highfield was spending approximately £2,800 per month on shavings across the forty stables — a cost that had increased 30% in two years as shavings prices rose. Several livery clients had queried their livery fees.
Staff time was a third dimension. The yard's three grooms spent a disproportionate amount of time on bedding management — mucking out deeply bedded concrete stables takes significantly longer than managing a thin bed on rubber matting.
Why Rubber Matting Direct
Brent had seen rubber stable mats at two other Newmarket yards, both of which had installed them in the previous three years. Conversations with both yard managers confirmed the bedding reduction was genuine — one had moved from an average of eight barrow-loads of shavings per stable per week to three, with horses in good condition and no increase in hoof problems.
The 6ft x 4ft interlocking format from Rubber Matting Direct was the format Brent had seen at both reference yards. At 17mm, the mats fit neatly within the stable door threshold without creating a step, and the interlocking tabs keep mats in position despite horses moving and turning throughout the day. An order for the full forty stables was placed at the trade rate.
The Solution
Installation was carried out stable by stable over three consecutive weeks during the quieter summer period, taking four stables per day with the help of one additional groom. Each stable was emptied, the concrete floor swept and checked for unevenness, and mats laid in the standard three-piece configuration. Three stables had concrete floors with pronounced drainage slopes — small rubber packers were used under the low edge of the mats to bring the surface level.
Total time from first delivery to all forty stables fitted: seventeen working days. The mats were left with a thin layer of shavings initially — approximately 50mm — while Brent assessed how the horses settled. Most horses settled well within two weeks; two showed initial reluctance to walk on the new surface but adapted within a few days.
The Results
The most immediate and measurable result was bedding cost reduction. Within three months, Highfield's shavings spend had fallen from £2,800 per month to approximately £1,120 — a reduction of 60%. The thinner bed required on rubber mats (typically 50-80mm of shavings rather than 200-250mm previously used) drove the saving directly. At £19,000 annual saving versus previous spend, the installation paid for itself within the first twelve months.
The four horses that had presented with hoof concerns were re-examined by their respective vets at the six-month mark. In three of four cases, vet reports noted improvement in hoof condition and reduced sensitivity. Mucking out time reduced by an average of twenty minutes per stable per day across the yard — the grooms' time was partially reallocated to additional turnout and schooling support.
"The cost calculation was straightforward once I'd talked to a couple of other yards who'd done it. The bedding saving alone pays for the mats in a year. The hoof improvement we've seen is a bonus, and the girls are spending less time mucking out and more time with the horses. Those are all good things."— Sarah Brent, Yard Manager, Highfield Equestrian Centre
Product Details
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Product | 17mm Rubber Stable Mats (6ft x 4ft interlocking) |
| Material | Heavy duty SBR rubber |
| Thickness | 17mm |
| Mat Size | 6ft x 4ft (1830mm x 1220mm) interlocking |
| Configuration | 3 mats per 12m² stable |
| Total Stables | 40 stables, 480m² total |
| Colour | Black |
Could This Work for Your Yard?
Rubber stable mats in the 6ft x 4ft interlocking format are the most widely used configuration for UK equestrian yards. A standard 12m² stable typically requires three 6ft x 4ft mats. Volume pricing for full-yard orders available, with trade accounts for equestrian centres and livery yards.
Rubber Matting Direct can advise on mat configuration for your specific stable sizes. Free samples available for inspection before placing a full yard order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should rubber stable mats be?
17-18mm is the most commonly recommended thickness for rubber stable mats. This provides adequate cushioning and insulation from cold concrete without raising the stable floor level significantly. For larger horses, some yards opt for 20mm.
How much bedding do you need on top of rubber stable mats?
Most stable managers using rubber mats report that bedding requirements reduce by 50-70% compared with bare concrete stables. A thin layer of shavings or straw (50-100mm) is typical, rather than the deep bed required on concrete.
Do rubber stable mats cause hoof problems?
Quality rubber stable mats do not cause hoof problems. The cushioning effect reduces impact and concussion on hooves compared with standing on bare concrete. Mats should be kept clean and dry underneath.
How do you clean rubber stable mats?
Remove the horse and bedding, sweep or scrape clean, then hose down and allow to dry. Mats can be lifted quarterly to allow the concrete floor underneath to be inspected and cleaned.
How long do rubber stable mats last?
Quality 17-18mm rubber stable mats typically last 10-20 years with normal use. The primary causes of failure are cuts from sharp metal objects, UV degradation if used outdoors, and chemical damage from caustic disinfectants.