6 Best Easy Clean Trailer Mats For Sheep That Old Farmers Swear By

There’s no job on a farm quite like cleaning out the sheep trailer after a long haul. It’s a task that tests your resolve, your back, and the strength of your hose nozzle. The right trailer mat doesn’t just make cleanup faster; it’s a critical piece of equipment for animal welfare and your own sanity.

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Key Features in an Easy-Clean Sheep Trailer Mat

The best mat is one you don’t have to think about until it’s time to clean it. Three things matter more than anything else: traction, a non-porous surface, and durability. Everything else is secondary.

Traction is non-negotiable. Sheep aren’t the most graceful animals on a good day, and a slippery trailer floor is a recipe for stress and injury. Look for a textured surface that provides grip even when wet with urine or manure. A mat that gets slick is a liability.

A non-porous surface is the key to an "easy clean" mat. If a mat absorbs moisture, it will permanently hold onto bacteria and that unmistakable ammonia smell, no matter how much you scrub. A truly sealed, non-absorbent material means you can wash it, dry it, and know it’s actually clean. This directly impacts the health of your flock by reducing their exposure to pathogens on the next trip.

Finally, consider durability and weight. The mat needs to withstand sharp hooves, the scrape of a shovel, and the blast of a pressure washer. But there’s a tradeoff: extreme durability often means extreme weight. A 100-pound rubber mat that stays put is great until you have to haul it out by yourself for a deep clean.

Tractor Supply Co. 4’x6′ Rubber Stall Mat

This is the old standby for a reason. It’s affordable, incredibly tough, and you can pick one up at just about any farm supply store. Its sheer weight—often close to 100 pounds—means it stays exactly where you put it, providing a stable floor for your animals.

The heavy-duty, pebbled surface offers excellent traction for sheep, preventing slips and falls during transit. Made from recycled vulcanized rubber, it’s largely non-porous and can take a serious beating from hooves and cleaning tools alike. For a straightforward, no-frills solution, it’s hard to beat the value.

The biggest drawback is its greatest strength: the weight. Lugging one of these out of a trailer for a thorough cleaning is a two-person job, or a one-person struggle. If you use multiple mats, the seams between them inevitably become a collection point for filth, requiring you to pull them up to get the trailer truly clean.

Rumber Composite Trailer Flooring for Durability

This isn’t a mat; it’s a permanent flooring replacement. Rumber is a composite material made from recycled tire rubber and plastics, creating boards that you install directly onto your trailer’s frame. It’s an "install it and forget it" solution for those tired of dealing with removable mats.

The primary benefit is the seamless, integrated surface. There are no mats to shift, tear, or pull out for cleaning. You just shovel out the bedding and hose the floor down directly. It provides excellent traction, is 100% waterproof, and is tough enough to outlast the trailer itself.

The tradeoff is significant upfront cost and installation. This is a permanent upgrade, not a cheap weekend fix. You’re investing in a long-term solution that eliminates the chore of mat management entirely. It’s the best option if you plan to keep your trailer for years and value your time more than the initial expense.

Black Armour Heavy-Duty Vulcanized Rubber Mat

Think of the Black Armour mat as a premium, next-level version of the standard stall mat. While many mats are made from recycled rubber, Black Armour uses a vulcanization process that creates a completely non-porous surface. This is its single biggest advantage.

Because it cannot absorb any moisture, it will not harbor bacteria or develop a permanent odor. This makes sanitizing the mat between loads much more effective, which is a huge plus for biosecurity. It’s also incredibly dense and resistant to curling, cracking, or damage from UV light.

This is an investment piece. It costs more than a generic stall mat, but you’re paying for superior hygiene and a longer lifespan. If you’ve ever fought with a cheap mat that stinks no matter how much you clean it, you’ll immediately understand the value of a truly non-absorbent surface.

Horsemen’s Pride 3/4" Interlocking Stall Mat

Interlocking mats solve the biggest problem with using multiple standard mats: the seams. These mats have puzzle-piece edges that lock together, creating a single, unified surface that is far more stable and easier to clean.

By eliminating the gaps, you prevent manure and urine from seeping underneath to the trailer floor. This drastically reduces the frequency with which you need to pull the entire floor up. The tight fit also prevents the mats from shifting or curling at the edges, which can be a trip hazard for your sheep.

While they are a fantastic solution, the interlocking tabs can be a weak point if not installed carefully on a flat surface. They are also typically more expensive than their straight-edged counterparts. Still, for a large trailer requiring multiple mats, the interlocking design is well worth the extra cost for the time it saves in cleanup.

Dura-Grid Interlocking Safety Floor Tiles

For a completely different approach, consider Dura-Grid tiles. These are lightweight, 12"x12" plastic tiles that snap together to create a custom-sized floor. Their main feature is a grid-like surface that allows liquids to drain through to the floor below.

This design keeps your sheep standing on a drier, non-slip surface, which is great for their foot health and overall comfort. The tiles are incredibly lightweight, making them easy to pull up in sections for cleaning the trailer floor underneath. They are a great modular solution for smaller trailers or for people who can’t manage heavy rubber mats.

The downside is that solid waste can get pressed into the grid, requiring a pressure washer to clean effectively. You also have to be committed to lifting them regularly to wash out the trailer bed itself. They may not be as durable as solid rubber under constant, heavy use, but for hobby farmers with smaller flocks, they offer a fantastic balance of cleanliness and convenience.

BedRug VanTred Cargo Van Mat for Traction

Here’s an unconventional option that works surprisingly well. The BedRug VanTred is designed as a liner for commercial cargo vans, but its properties are perfect for a small livestock trailer. It’s made from a closed-cell polypropylene foam that is 100% waterproof.

The biggest advantages are its light weight and incredible traction. The textured surface feels like a firm carpet and provides a non-slip grip that’s better than most rubber mats, especially when wet. It’s also cushioned, which reduces animal fatigue on longer trips. Because it’s so light, pulling it out to hose it off is effortless.

The main question is long-term durability against sharp hooves. While it’s tough, it’s not thick, solid rubber. However, for occasional use in a hobby farm context, it holds up remarkably well. It’s an excellent choice if your top priorities are animal comfort, superior traction, and ease of handling.

Pro Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Mat

Your cleaning routine starts before the water ever comes out. Scrape out all the solid manure and soiled bedding first. A sturdy, wide plastic shovel is better than a metal one, as it’s less likely to gouge or tear your mat.

A pressure washer is your best friend for cleaning mats, but a hose with a high-pressure jet nozzle will also get the job done. For disinfectant, a simple solution of white vinegar and water is effective and animal-safe. For a deeper clean or after transporting sick animals, use a veterinarian-approved disinfectant like Virkon S, and follow the directions carefully.

The most overlooked step is drying. After washing, prop the mat up so air can circulate on all sides, preferably in direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays are a powerful, free disinfectant. Putting a wet mat back into an enclosed trailer is asking for mold, mildew, and a smell you’ll never get rid of.

Choosing the right trailer mat isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating a safer, healthier environment for your animals while saving your own back. The best choice balances cost, durability, and how much effort you’re willing to put into cleaning. A smart investment here pays you back every time you haul your flock.