6 Best Non-Slip Horse Step Stools For Wet Weather That Prevent Accidents
Prevent slips while mounting in wet weather. Our guide reviews the 6 best non-slip horse step stools, focusing on stability and grip for accident prevention.
The rain has been coming down for three days straight, turning the paddock gate into a soupy mess. You lead your horse over to the mounting block, but the smooth plastic surface is slick with water and a film of mud. That one moment of hesitation, the feeling of your boot starting to slide as you swing your leg over, is all it takes to turn a pleasant ride into a trip to the emergency room.
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Why a Non-Slip Stool is Crucial for Safety
A wet step stool is an accident waiting to happen. The combination of a slick plastic surface, wet boot soles, and the dynamic movement of mounting a horse creates a huge risk. A slip can cause you to fall backward, potentially hitting your head or back, or it could send you lurching into your horse, spooking them and creating an even more dangerous situation.
This isn’t just about your safety; it’s about your horse’s confidence. When you feel unsteady on the mounting block, you tense up and wobble. Your horse feels every bit of that instability through the saddle, which can make them anxious, fidgety, or inclined to step away from the block. A solid, non-slip surface allows you to mount smoothly and confidently, which translates directly to a calmer, more willing horse.
Think of a good mounting block as essential safety equipment, right alongside your helmet and proper footwear. It’s a small, one-time investment that mitigates one of the most common points of failure in daily horse handling. In climates with regular rain, snow, or even heavy morning dew, a stool with inadequate grip is a liability you can’t afford.
Horsemen’s Pride 3-Step: The Barn Staple
You’ve seen this one everywhere for a reason. The Horsemen’s Pride 3-Step is the quintessential heavy-duty mounting block, built from a single piece of thick, durable polyethylene. Its greatest safety feature is its sheer weight and wide, stable base. It’s not going to tip or slide out from under you, even on slightly uneven ground.
The steps are wide and deep, providing a generous platform for your feet. More importantly, the tread is aggressive, with deep channels designed to sluice water and mud away from the surface where your boot makes contact. This design ensures a solid grip even when everything is caked in grime.
The obvious tradeoff is portability. This block is a beast to move, making it a poor choice for taking to shows or out to a far pasture. It’s best suited for a permanent or semi-permanent location, like next to your arena gate or in the main grooming area. It’s the definition of a set-it-and-forget-it solution for barn safety.
High Country Plastics 4-Step for Taller Horses
If you’re mounting a 17-hand warmblood or simply find a 3-step stool a bit of a stretch, the High Country Plastics 4-Step is a back-saver. That extra step makes a world of difference, reducing the strain on your hips and knees and allowing for a gentler, more controlled mount that’s easier on your horse’s back.
High Country takes stability seriously. These taller blocks are engineered with an even wider base to prevent any chance of tipping. The tread is typically very deep and rugged, and some models even include a small grab handle at the top for extra security. This feature is a game-changer for riders who are less flexible or recovering from an injury.
Of course, a 4-step block is even bigger and heavier than its 3-step counterparts. It requires significant storage space and is definitely not something you’ll be moving around casually. Consider this a piece of permanent barn infrastructure, ideal for a busy lesson program or for anyone who needs maximum height and stability.
Shires Two-Step Mounting Block: Lightweight Pick
Sometimes you need a stool you can grab and go. The Shires Two-Step is a fantastic lightweight option for just that purpose. It’s perfect for tossing in the horse trailer for shows, clinics, or trail rides where you might need to dismount and remount away from the barn.
Despite its light weight, Shires doesn’t skimp on safety. The plastic is sturdy, and the steps are molded with a textured, non-slip surface that provides decent grip in damp conditions. A built-in handle makes it incredibly easy to carry with one hand while leading your horse with the other.
The compromise here is inherent stability. A lighter block is more prone to tipping on soft or uneven ground than a heavy one. You need to be more mindful of placement, ensuring it’s on a flat, firm spot before you step up. It’s an excellent secondary or travel stool, but for daily use in a muddy environment, a heavier block is often the safer primary choice.
Rubbermaid RM-P2 Step Stool: Versatile Choice
Don’t overlook the hardware store for a solid barn tool. The Rubbermaid RM-P2, a two-step utility stool, is a surprisingly effective and versatile option. It’s built for industrial use, so it’s tough, rated for high weight capacities, and designed with safety in mind.
Its key features are the large, deeply textured top platform and its non-slip rubber feet. The rubber feet are crucial, as they prevent the stool from sliding on concrete aisleways or wash rack floors—places where plastic-on-plastic stools can be treacherous when wet. The multi-purpose nature means you can use it for mounting, then carry it over to the feed room to reach the top shelf.
The main limitation is its height. At only two steps, it may not be tall enough for larger horses or less athletic riders. Furthermore, its tread is designed more for workshop debris than for thick mud, so while it excels on hard, wet surfaces, it may not perform as well as a dedicated mounting block in a mucky paddock.
Port-A-Grazer Mounting Block for Stability
For the ultimate in unshakeable stability, the Port-A-Grazer mounting block offers a unique solution. This 3-step block is designed to be filled with sand or water, transforming it from a relatively lightweight, movable object into an immovable anchor.
This design is brilliant for high-traffic areas. Once filled, it won’t budge, even if a clumsy horse bumps into it or a strong wind kicks up. The steps are wide and feature a good tread pattern, providing a secure platform in any weather. When empty, it’s light enough to reposition before you commit to a location.
The primary consideration is that filling it makes it a permanent fixture for the season. You won’t be moving a sand-filled block without emptying it first. This makes it a perfect choice for the central mounting area of a boarding facility or a private barn where you always tack up in the same spot.
Burlingham Sports Block: Easy Portability
Burlingham Sports is known for making durable, lightweight jump standards and arena equipment, and their mounting blocks follow the same philosophy. These blocks are engineered to be tough and weather-resistant while remaining exceptionally easy to carry.
They often feature a slim profile and integrated handles, making them simple to transport and store. The tread is well-designed to provide grip without adding bulk, making it a reliable choice for damp days. It strikes an excellent balance between the feathery weight of a small step and the sturdiness of a mid-weight block.
This is the ideal stool for the organized equestrian. If you value equipment that is easy to move, clean, and store neatly, the Burlingham block is a top contender. Like any lightweight stool, however, always double-check that it’s placed on level ground before committing your full weight to it, especially in wet conditions.
Choosing Your Stool: Stability and Tread Depth
The right choice boils down to a simple tradeoff: stability versus portability. A heavy, wide-based stool offers maximum safety but is difficult to move. A lightweight, compact stool is convenient but requires more care in its placement. Your primary use case—at home in the mud or on the road at a show—should guide your decision.
When inspecting a stool for non-slip properties, pay close attention to the tread. Deep grooves and a highly textured surface are more important than the specific pattern. A shallow, decorative pattern will quickly fill with mud and become useless. You need channels deep enough to displace water and give the lugs on your boot soles something to bite into.
Ultimately, you might find you need more than one. Many horse owners keep a heavy-duty 3-step at the barn for daily use and a lightweight 2-step in the trailer for travel. Don’t think of it as a simple stool; it’s a piece of equipment critical for preventing falls. Choosing the right one for the conditions is a fundamental part of safe horsemanship.
A reliable mounting block isn’t a barn luxury—it’s a non-negotiable tool for risk management. Investing in a stool with a thoughtfully designed non-slip surface is a simple, effective way to protect your body and your horse’s back, ensuring every ride starts on solid ground, no matter what the weather is doing.
