6 Best Barn Mats For Horses for Healthy Hooves

You spend hours ensuring your horse has the right feed, clean water, and a safe pasture. But what about the eight, ten, or even twelve hours a day they spend standing in their stall? The surface under their hooves is one of the most overlooked, yet critical, components of their long-term health and comfort. Choosing the right stall mat isn’t just about making cleanup easier; it’s a fundamental decision for supporting healthy hooves, sound joints, and a happier horse.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why Quality Stall Mats Matter for Equine Health

A horse standing on bare concrete or even hard-packed dirt experiences constant, unforgiving pressure on its hooves and leg joints. Quality rubber mats provide essential cushioning, mimicking the natural give of pasture soil. This small amount of forgiveness reduces concussion on the coffin bone, navicular bone, and all the delicate structures within the hoof capsule.

Beyond hoof health, good mats are a game-changer for your time and wallet. A properly matted stall requires significantly less bedding to achieve the same level of comfort and absorption. You’ll spend less on shavings and less time mucking out, which means more time for riding or tackling other farm chores. The upfront cost of mats pays for itself over time in bedding savings alone.

Finally, consider the insulation factor. A thick rubber mat provides a thermal barrier against a cold, damp floor, which is especially important during winter. This helps your horse conserve body heat and stay more comfortable. For an older horse with arthritis, the combination of cushioning and warmth can make a world of difference in their daily comfort and mobility.

TSC 4×6 Rubber Stall Mat: A Durable Standard

When you think of a standard stall mat, this is likely what comes to mind. The 3/4-inch thick, 4×6 foot mats from Tractor Supply Co. are the heavy-duty workhorses of the equine world. They are dense, incredibly durable, and weigh close to 100 pounds apiece, so they tend to stay put once you get them into place.

Their main advantage is the balance of durability and price. They are made from vulcanized rubber, which makes them tough and resistant to wear from shod hooves or pawing. The pebble-top texture offers decent grip, while the flat bottom sits securely on a level surface. For a basic, no-frills setup that will last for years, this is the go-to option for many hobby farmers.

The biggest challenge is installation. Moving and cutting these mats is a serious physical task that requires at least two people, a sharp utility knife, and a lot of patience. Because they are straight-edged, you must cut them for a very tight fit. If you leave gaps, urine will seep underneath, creating an ammonia-filled mess that’s a nightmare to clean.

Stall-EZ Interlocking Mats for a Seamless Fit

Interlocking mats directly solve the biggest problem with standard straight-edge mats: the seams. Each Stall-EZ mat has puzzle-piece edges that lock together tightly, creating a stable, virtually one-piece floor. This design is brilliant because it almost completely prevents urine and moisture from getting underneath the mats.

The result is a significantly cleaner, drier, and healthier stall environment. You won’t have to worry about pulling up heavy mats every year to clean the foul sludge that accumulates in the seams. This drastically reduces ammonia levels, which is better for your horse’s respiratory health and makes the barn a more pleasant place to be.

Of course, this superior design comes at a higher price point than standard mats. Installation also requires a bit more planning to ensure the interlocking pattern lines up correctly in your stall. However, for many owners, the long-term benefit of a cleaner stall and the elimination of that annual deep-clean ordeal is well worth the extra upfront investment.

ComfortStall System: Top Orthopedic Support

The ComfortStall isn’t just a mat; it’s a complete flooring system designed for ultimate therapeutic support. It consists of a thick layer of orthopedic foam topped with a durable, waterproof, one-piece rubber cover that fastens securely to the stall walls. This creates a soft, resilient surface that provides unparalleled joint and hoof support.

This system is the gold standard for horses with specific health needs. If you have a senior horse with arthritis, a horse recovering from a soft tissue injury, or one prone to laminitis, the cushioning of the ComfortStall can be life-changing. It also dramatically reduces the need for bedding—you only need enough to absorb urine—making it an excellent choice for horses with respiratory issues sensitive to dust.

The primary consideration here is the significant financial investment. The ComfortStall system is the most expensive option on this list by a wide margin. It’s a specialized product for owners prioritizing therapeutic benefits and are willing to invest in a premium solution for their horse’s well-being.

Red Barn Classic Mats: Non-Porous and Flat

Not all rubber is created equal. Red Barn mats are known for their high-quality, 100% recycled vulcanized rubber, which is completely non-porous. This is a key distinction, as cheaper, more porous mats can slowly absorb moisture over time, leading to lingering odors and bacterial growth you can never truly eliminate.

These mats are precision-cut with flat bottoms and straight edges, which helps them lie flat and fit together more tightly than some budget alternatives. While they are still straight-edged and susceptible to some seepage, their quality construction means they are less likely to curl or warp over time, maintaining a better seal at the seams.

Think of Red Barn as a premium version of the standard stall mat. You get the durability and weight of a classic mat but with superior material quality that resists absorption and degradation. They are a solid choice if you want a long-lasting, high-performance mat without moving to an interlocking or full orthopedic system.

Greatmats Kits for Easy Stall Installation

Greatmats takes the convenience of interlocking mats a step further by offering pre-designed kits for common stall sizes, like 10×10 or 12×12. This eliminates the guesswork of figuring out how many mats you need and how to arrange them. You simply order the kit for your stall dimensions, and it arrives ready to assemble.

The interlocking design provides all the benefits of a seamless floor, preventing urine from seeping through the cracks and making stall cleaning much more efficient. The company offers various thicknesses and surface textures, allowing you to choose the right level of cushioning and grip for your horse.

This option strikes a fantastic balance between ease of installation, performance, and cost. It’s more effective than standard straight-edge mats and less of a financial commitment than a full therapeutic system. For the busy hobby farmer who wants a reliable, easy-to-install solution, a Greatmats kit is an excellent and practical choice.

Rubber-Cal Diamond-Plate Mat for Superior Grip

While most stall mats focus on cushioning, the Rubber-Cal Diamond-Plate mat prioritizes one thing above all else: traction. The raised diamond-plate pattern provides an aggressive, multi-directional grip that is far superior to standard pebble-top finishes, especially when the surface is wet.

This makes it an outstanding choice for specific high-risk areas. For a wash stall, grooming bay, or the floor of a horse trailer, the enhanced grip can prevent dangerous slips and falls. It’s also a great option in a regular stall for an older horse, a horse with neurological issues, or one that is simply less steady on its feet.

While perfectly suitable for a standard stall, its true value is in its specialized application. You might choose to use these mats only in the wash stall and opt for a different style in the main stalls. It’s a tool designed to solve a specific problem, and it does that job exceptionally well.

Choosing and Installing Your New Horse Stall Mats

The right mat for your barn depends on a simple trade-off between your budget, your horse’s needs, and how much time you want to spend on maintenance. There is no single "best" mat, only the best mat for your specific situation. Before you buy, ask yourself if you’re solving for cost, cleanliness, or therapeutic support.

Here’s a simple framework for making a decision:

• Best on a Budget: The TSC 4×6 Rubber Stall Mat is the undeniable winner for cost-effective durability. Be prepared for a tough installation.
• Best for a Clean Stall: An interlocking system like Stall-EZ or a Greatmats Kit is your best bet. The seamless design is a game-changer for reducing ammonia and deep-cleaning chores.
• Best for Health & Comfort: For horses with arthritis, laminitis, or other chronic issues, the ComfortStall System provides unmatched orthopedic support.
• Best for High-Traction Areas: In wash stalls or for unsteady horses, the Rubber-Cal Diamond-Plate Mat offers superior grip to prevent slips.

No matter which mat you choose, proper installation is key. Your stall floor must be level and compacted before you begin. Use a straight edge and a fresh, sharp utility knife blade for cutting—a dull blade will make the job miserable. Always leave a small gap (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) around the perimeter of the stall to allow the rubber to expand in the summer heat without buckling. And finally, get a friend to help. These mats are heavy, and an extra set of hands makes the entire process faster and safer.

Ultimately, stall mats are an investment in your horse’s foundational health. The right flooring reduces daily stress on hooves and joints, creates a cleaner living environment, and even saves you money on bedding in the long run. By choosing wisely, you’re not just buying a rubber mat; you’re providing a safe and comfortable base for your horse’s well-being.