6 Best Stall Mats That Reduce Ammonia Smell That Old-Timers Swear By
Veteran equestrians know how to combat barn ammonia. Discover their top 6 trusted stall mats for superior odor control and improved stable air quality.
That sharp, eye-watering sting of ammonia is a smell every horse owner knows. You walk into the barn, and even after a fresh mucking, it lingers in the air, a constant reminder of the battle against moisture and waste. This isn’t just an unpleasant odor; it’s a serious threat to your horse’s respiratory health and a sign that your stall management needs a better foundation. The right stall mat is that foundation, turning a constant chore into a manageable system.
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How Proper Matting Fights Barn Ammonia Smell
The secret to fighting ammonia is simple: control the urine. Ammonia gas is created when bacteria break down the urea in urine. If that urine soaks into a dirt, clay, or wood floor, you’re creating a permanent reservoir for bacteria and a never-ending source of smell.
A good, non-porous rubber mat acts as an impermeable shield. It stops urine from ever reaching the subfloor. This means you aren’t just removing the soiled bedding on top; you’re removing the entire source of the problem with every cleaning. The urine pools on the mat where it can be absorbed by bedding and removed completely.
The best systems go a step further by minimizing seams. Every gap between mats is a potential channel for urine to sneak underneath. Tightly butted heavy mats or, even better, interlocking mats create a nearly seamless surface. This single feature dramatically reduces the chance of creating a smelly, swampy mess under your floor.
TSC Heavy-Duty Rubber Mat: The Gold Standard
When you think of a stall mat, this is probably what comes to mind. The 4×6 foot, 3/4-inch thick, 100-pound slab of black rubber from Tractor Supply Co. is the undisputed workhorse of the hobby farm world. There’s no magic here, just pure, simple function. It’s heavy, incredibly durable, and provides a solid barrier against moisture.
Its greatest strength is also its biggest weakness: its weight. Getting a half-dozen of these into a stall is a serious workout and not a one-person job. But once they’re in, they stay put. Their sheer mass helps keep seams tight and prevents shifting.
For the farmer who wants a no-fuss, buy-it-for-life solution and has the muscle to install it, this mat is the benchmark. It’s not fancy, but it has protected barn floors and horse lungs for decades. It just flat-out works.
Greatmats Tru-Grip: Superior Non-Slip Surface
Safety is always the first priority in a barn, especially in wet conditions. The Greatmats Tru-Grip mat addresses this head-on with a textured, "button-top" surface. This design provides excellent traction, making it a fantastic choice for wash stalls, grooming areas, or for older horses that might be less steady on their feet.
That textured surface does more than just prevent slips. The small channels between the buttons can help direct small amounts of liquid, making it easier to squeegee or sweep out moisture during a deep clean. It’s a subtle feature, but it contributes to a drier, cleaner environment.
The tradeoff for that grip is a slightly more involved cleaning process. A flat mat is easy to scrape perfectly clean, while a textured mat can hold onto fine, damp bedding in its crevices. It’s a small price to pay for the added security, especially if you have a horse prone to slipping.
Rubber-Cal Dura-Chef Interlock for Custom Fits
Don’t let the name fool you; these mats are tough enough for any stall. The key feature here is the interlocking puzzle-piece design. This system creates a stable, unified floor with virtually no gaps for urine to seep through. It’s the ultimate solution for defeating seam-related problems.
This interlocking feature makes them ideal for custom or irregularly shaped stalls. You can combine center, border, and corner pieces to create a perfect fit without the need for difficult, precise cuts. This saves a lot of frustration during installation and results in a much more effective moisture barrier.
While the initial layout can feel like putting together a giant jigsaw puzzle, the result is a floor that acts like a single piece. This stability means less shifting and, more importantly, less opportunity for that ammonia-causing gunk to build up underneath. It’s a smart choice for anyone who prioritizes a perfectly sealed floor.
Humane Loktuff Mats: Recycled & Durable Choice
For those who want top-tier performance with an eye toward sustainability, Humane Loktuff mats are a leading option. Often made from 100% recycled vulcanized rubber, these mats are an environmentally sound choice without sacrificing an ounce of durability. They are built to withstand decades of heavy use from shod horses.
The "Loktuff" name points to their robust interlocking system. Much like the Rubber-Cal mats, they connect tightly to form a solid, stable surface. This design is crucial for preventing mats from curling or shifting over time, which maintains that all-important seal against moisture.
These are premium mats, and their price reflects that. However, you’re investing in a product known for its extreme longevity and precision engineering. For a permanent, high-traffic barn, the upfront cost can be justified by the long-term performance and peace of mind.
Equi-Mat Soft Stall: The Cushioned Drainage Pro
This option represents a completely different philosophy for managing moisture. The Equi-Mat Soft Stall is a cushioned, grid-like system designed to allow urine to drain through the mat. It’s installed over a prepared base of crushed stone that wicks moisture away, keeping the top surface remarkably dry.
This system provides unparalleled comfort for horses, making it a top choice for animals with arthritis or those recovering from injury. By immediately separating the horse from the wetness, it also offers superior ammonia control. The stall stays drier, cleaner, and healthier.
Be warned: this is a stall flooring system, not just a mat. It requires significant prep work to create the proper drainage base. It’s more complex and expensive to install, but for those seeking the ultimate in comfort and moisture management, the results are unmatched.
Horsemen’s Pride Stall Mat: Lighter & Easier
Let’s be realistic: not everyone has a crew of helpers to haul 100-pound mats. The Horsemen’s Pride Stall Mat is a welcome alternative, often weighing significantly less than its heavy-duty counterparts. This makes installation and removal for deep cleaning a much more manageable task for a single person.
These mats are typically made from a different rubber composite or are simply thinner, which accounts for the weight savings. While they still provide an effective barrier, they may not have the same ironclad durability as a 3/4-inch vulcanized mat over a 20-year span. For most hobby farm situations, however, they are more than tough enough.
This is a classic tradeoff between convenience and ultimate durability. If the thought of wrestling with heavyweight mats is preventing you from upgrading your stalls, this lighter option is the perfect solution. A good, properly installed lighter mat is infinitely better than no mat at all.
Choosing the Right Mat Thickness and Material
When you’re comparing mats, two things matter most: thickness and material. Don’t get lost in the marketing; focus on these fundamentals.
Thickness is straightforward. The industry standard is 3/4-inch, and for good reason. It provides excellent durability, cushioning, and is heavy enough to stay put. You can find 1/2-inch mats, which are cheaper and lighter, but they are more prone to curling at the edges and won’t last as long under a heavy horse. For a standard stall, stick with 3/4-inch if your budget allows.
The material is more nuanced. You want vulcanized rubber. Vulcanization is a chemical process that makes the rubber stronger, more elastic, and—most importantly—non-porous. Cheaper, non-vulcanized or "crumb rubber" mats can act like a sponge over time, absorbing urine and defeating the entire purpose of the mat. Always check the specs and ensure you’re getting a non-porous, vulcanized product. It’s the single most important factor for controlling ammonia.
Ultimately, the best stall mat is the one that fits your barn, your budget, and your back. Investing in a solid, non-porous floor is one of the most effective upgrades you can make for your horse’s health and your own quality of life around the barn. It transforms stall cleaning from a battle against a smelly swamp into simple, routine maintenance.
