6 Best Stall Guards Compatible With Stall Mats for a Safer Stable
Ensure a secure fit between your stall guard and mat. We review 6 durable options designed for compatibility, preventing dangerous gaps for a safer stable.
You walk into the barn to find bedding kicked halfway down the aisle and your horse hanging its head over the stall door, looking for action. A good stall guard can solve this, offering better airflow than a solid door while keeping your horse safely inside. But if you’ve invested in thick rubber stall mats, choosing the right guard becomes a critical safety decision, not just a matter of convenience.
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Why Mat Compatibility Matters for Stall Guards
The biggest safety hazard with any stall guard is the gap at the bottom. A horse pawing, rolling, or getting up can easily slip a leg underneath. If the gap is just the wrong size, a hoof can get trapped, leading to panic and serious injury. This risk multiplies when you add stall mats.
A standard 3/4-inch rubber mat raises your stall floor significantly. A guard installed at a "standard" height on the doorframe will now have a dangerous gap right at hoof level. It’s not enough to just buy a good guard; you have to ensure it can be installed low enough to eliminate that space entirely. The bottom edge of the guard should practically brush the top of the mat.
This is why adjustability is the single most important feature. Fixed-height guards or those with limited strap length can be impossible to fit safely in a matted stall. You need a system that lets you control the final height precisely, accounting for both your mat’s thickness and the specific dimensions of your stall opening.
Tough-1 Webbing Stall Guard for Peak Airflow
If your primary goal is ventilation, a webbing guard is the obvious choice. The Tough-1 is a classic for a reason: its open-weave design allows air to move freely, which is a lifesaver in humid summers or in older barns with less-than-ideal circulation. This design keeps horses comfortable and helps bedding stay dry.
The key to making it work with stall mats lies in its multiple adjustable straps. You can fine-tune the height of each horizontal web, ensuring the bottom strap sits right on top of your mat. Because it’s not a solid barrier, a very tiny gap is less concerning than with a vinyl guard, but you still want it as snug as possible. The included hardware is basic, so upgrading to heavy-duty screw eyes that you can place exactly where you need them is a smart move.
Shires ARMA Stall Guard: Secure and Stylish
Sometimes you need a balance between airflow and a solid barrier. The Shires ARMA guard often features a durable, solid lower section with a mesh "window" up top. This design is fantastic for keeping shavings inside the stall while still letting the horse see out and get some breeze.
This hybrid design is particularly well-suited for matted stalls. The solid bottom creates a clear, visible barrier that discourages a horse from testing the lower edge. Your installation goal is to make that solid section meet the mat perfectly. With its sturdy construction and robust D-rings, you can pull it taut for a secure fit, preventing the sagging that can create dangerous gaps over time. Plus, they often come in barn colors, adding a professional look to your setup.
Cashel Stall Door Guard for Calmer Horses
For horses that are anxious, weave, or get stressed by too much activity in the aisle, a more solid guard is a game-changer. The Cashel Stall Door Guard, typically made of heavy-duty mesh, provides security and a visual buffer. It dampens the view of the busy aisle, which can significantly calm a sensitive horse.
Because it’s a solid plane, mat compatibility is non-negotiable and requires careful installation. A gap between a mesh guard and a mat is a perfect V-shape to trap a hoof. The Cashel guard’s reinforced edges and strong attachment points are designed for a tight, secure fit. You must install your mounting hardware low enough on the door frame so that when the guard is tensioned, its bottom edge is pressed firmly against the surface of your stall mat.
Weaver Leather Stall Guard: Ultimate Durability
If you have a horse that chews, leans, or is generally tough on equipment, investing in leather is a wise long-term decision. The Weaver Leather Stall Guard is built for abuse. The thick, high-quality leather and rust-resistant hardware can withstand years of use in a way that nylon and vinyl simply can’t.
From a safety perspective with mats, the weight and stiffness of leather is an advantage. A leather strap doesn’t flutter or easily fold up if a horse paws at it. Like other webbed designs, its effectiveness depends entirely on adjustable straps. You need to be able to cinch that bottom strap down so it sits just above your mat, leaving no room for error. It’s a bigger initial investment, but you won’t be replacing it next season.
Horsemen’s Pride Stall-EZ for Easy Installs
Not everyone wants to break out the drill and measuring tape. The Stall-EZ is designed around a simple, tool-free installation system, often using tension rods or unique brackets that fit into the stall doorway. This makes it a great option for shows, temporary setups, or boarding facilities where you can’t make permanent modifications.
However, this convenience comes with a major tradeoff for matted stalls. You must verify that the "easy" installation mechanism allows for vertical adjustment. If the system is designed for a fixed height, it will almost certainly leave an unsafe gap above your mats. Before buying, check to see if the brackets can be moved up or down the frame. If not, this guard is likely unsuitable for a permanently matted stall, no matter how convenient it seems.
Country Pride Vinyl Guard for Solid Barriers
When you need a complete visual and physical barrier, a solid vinyl guard is the answer. These are ideal for stallions, horses on stall rest, or situations where you need to prevent any interaction between neighbors. They also do the best job of keeping all bedding and mess contained within the stall.
This is the least forgiving design when it comes to mat compatibility. There is zero margin for error. The solid vinyl sheet must be installed so its bottom edge is flush with the mat across the entire width of the doorway. Even a small, wavy gap can become a dangerous trap. Success requires precise measurement and installing heavy-duty hardware that allows you to pull the guard extremely taut, like a drum, eliminating any slack.
Choosing Your Guard: Material and Hardware
Your decision ultimately comes down to your horse’s needs and your barn’s environment. The material dictates the guard’s primary function, while the hardware determines its safety and compatibility with your stall mats.
Think of it as a simple checklist:
- For maximum airflow: Choose a webbing guard (nylon or leather).
- For a calm, secure horse: Choose a mesh or solid vinyl guard.
- For durability against a tough horse: Choose leather or heavy-duty vinyl.
- For keeping the aisle clean: Choose a solid bottom or full vinyl guard.
No matter which material you choose, the hardware is what makes it safe. Look for guards with long, adjustable straps and avoid any with fixed-length attachments. Double-ended snaps offer versatility, but for a permanent installation, using screw eyes that you place yourself is the most reliable way to get a perfect, mat-safe fit. Always measure from the top of your mat, not the concrete floor, to determine where your hardware needs to go.
A stall guard is more than just a gate; it’s a piece of safety equipment. By matching the right guard design to your horse and ensuring it can be installed flush with your stall mats, you create a space that is safer, more comfortable, and better for everyone’s peace of mind.
