6 Best Stall Mats To Prevent Hock Sores Old Farmers Swear By
Prevent painful hock sores with the right stall mat. We review 6 top options trusted by seasoned farmers for their durability and essential joint support.
You walk into the barn one morning and there it is: a raw, scraped patch on your horse’s hock. Hock sores are one of those frustrating problems that seem to appear out of nowhere, but they’re almost always a sign of an issue with the ground beneath your horse’s feet. Investing in the right stall flooring isn’t just about comfort; it’s a fundamental step in preventing chronic pain and injury.
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Understanding Hock Sores and Stall Flooring
Hock sores are, simply put, pressure sores. They’re abrasions caused by the friction and pressure of the hock joint rubbing against a hard or abrasive surface when a horse lies down and gets back up. Think about how a horse rises—they lunge forward onto their front knees, then push up with their back legs, often grinding their hocks into the ground for leverage.
Deep, fluffy bedding can certainly help cushion this movement, but it’s only half the solution. Bedding gets pushed aside, compressed, and kicked into the corners, leaving bare spots. The real foundation for preventing hock sores is what lies underneath that bedding.
A hard concrete, packed dirt, or splintery wood floor is an invitation for trouble. Even with six inches of shavings, the horse’s weight will compress it, and that critical point of the hock will find the hard surface below. A quality stall mat provides a consistent, forgiving layer of protection that bedding alone can’t guarantee. It’s the difference between a temporary fix and a permanent solution.
TSC Rubber Horse Stall Mat: The Classic Choice
If there’s a "standard issue" stall mat, this is it. The 4×6 foot, 3/4-inch thick vulcanized rubber mat from Tractor Supply Co. is the workhorse of countless small farms and for good reason. It’s heavy, incredibly tough, and readily available almost everywhere.
The main benefit is its sheer density and durability. These mats can take decades of abuse from shod hooves, pawing, and heavy equipment without breaking down. They provide excellent insulation from cold concrete and a solid, non-slip surface. The price is also hard to beat for the quality you get.
The tradeoff, however, is the weight. At nearly 100 pounds a piece, installing them is a serious workout. You’ll need a strong back and a sharp utility knife to trim them to fit. The straight edges can also shift over time if not installed tightly, creating gaps where moisture and bedding can get trapped.
This durable, all-metal utility knife features a retractable blade with three adjustable positions for precise cuts. It offers quick blade changes and includes 10 extra SK5 blades for long-lasting use on various materials.
Greatmats Waffle Mats for Superior Drainage
Not all stalls are perfectly dry. For barns with drainage issues or for horses that are particularly messy with their water buckets, a "waffle" style mat from a company like Greatmats can be a game-changer. These mats have a raised button or grid pattern on the underside.
This design creates small channels that allow urine and water to flow underneath the mat and away from the surface your horse is standing on. This keeps the top of the mat drier, which is healthier for hooves and can reduce ammonia smell. They are also significantly lighter than solid rubber mats, making installation a much more manageable task for one person.
The downside is that the open-channel design can, over many years, be slightly less durable than a solid slab of rubber under a heavy, pawing horse. Cleaning the underside is also a chore if you ever have to pull them up for a deep clean, as dirt and grime can get trapped in the waffle pattern.
Humane Loktuff Mats: Unbeatable Durability
When you want to install a floor and never, ever think about it again, interlocking mats are the answer. Humane’s Loktuff mats are the top-tier option here. They feature tightly fitting puzzle-piece edges that lock together to form a single, seamless surface across the entire stall.
This interlocking design completely eliminates the biggest problem with straight-edge mats: shifting and curling. No gaps open up between mats, meaning no trapped bedding and no edges to trip on. They are made from extremely high-quality, non-porous rubber that resists odors and is a breeze to clean. This is the buy-it-once, cry-once solution.
Of course, the primary tradeoff is cost. These mats represent a significant upfront investment compared to standard flat-edge mats. But when you factor in the longevity and the elimination of maintenance headaches down the road, many old-timers will tell you the price is well worth it for a permanent, trouble-free setup.
Equi-Mat Flooring for Ultimate Joint Comfort
Sometimes, the goal isn’t just durability, but maximum cushioning. For older horses with arthritis, animals recovering from an injury, or simply for providing the highest level of comfort, foam-based or composite mats like Equi-Mat are an excellent choice. These are often made from EVA foam, similar to the material in anti-fatigue mats for people.
This material provides significantly more "give" than dense rubber, reducing stress on joints during the difficult process of getting up and down. The difference is immediately noticeable; it’s softer and warmer to the touch. This extra cushion can make a world of difference for a senior horse’s quality of life.
The compromise here is toughness. While still durable, these foam-based mats are not as resistant to damage from shod hooves or persistent pawing as vulcanized rubber. They are best suited for barefoot horses, retirees, or in a dedicated lay-up stall where ultimate comfort is the top priority over sheer indestructibility.
North West Rubber: A Dependable Budget Option
Don’t get too caught up in brand names. Many regional farm supply stores carry mats from manufacturers like North West Rubber that offer fantastic value. They produce heavy-duty, 3/4-inch recycled rubber mats that are functionally identical to the big-name brands.
The key here is to inspect them before you buy. Look for a consistent thickness and a smooth, non-porous surface. Sometimes the quality control on these less-expensive mats can vary, but more often than not, you’re getting a perfectly good product for a lower price. It’s always worth asking your local co-op or independent feed store what they carry.
This is the practical choice for someone outfitting multiple stalls on a tight budget. You get 95% of the benefit of a premium mat for a fraction of the cost. Just be prepared to do a little more legwork to find a supplier and be willing to accept minor cosmetic imperfections.
Mayo Original Cow Mat: Top-Tier Hock Protection
Sometimes the best solutions for horses come from the dairy aisle. The Mayo Original Cow Mat is designed for one thing: providing ultimate, non-abrasive comfort for a 1,500-pound animal lying down for hours at a time. This makes it an incredible tool for preventing hock sores.
These mats often feature a resilient foam core topped with a soft-but-durable rubber layer. The level of cushioning is unmatched by any standard horse stall mat. It’s like a permanent mattress for your stall, providing a forgiving surface that virtually eliminates the pressure points that cause sores.
Here’s the crucial catch: these mats are not designed for shod horses. The soft top layer can be easily damaged by steel shoes. For a barefoot retiree, a broodmare, or a horse on stall rest, they are arguably the best hock protection money can buy. For a shod, active horse, you’re better off sticking with a solid vulcanized rubber mat.
Installing Your Mats for Longevity and Safety
Buying good mats is only half the battle; installing them correctly is what makes them work. The first and most important step is preparing the base. Your stall floor must be level, firm, and well-compacted. Stone dust (screenings) is the ideal base material.
Once your base is level, the real work begins. Cutting 3/4-inch rubber mats is tough. Use a brand-new, sharp blade in a utility knife and a sturdy straight edge, like a 2×4. Score the mat several times along the line rather than trying to cut through it in one pass. A little soapy water can help lubricate the blade.
The most critical part of the installation is to fit the mats as tightly as possible. Cut them so they press firmly against all four walls and against each other. A small gap will inevitably become a large gap as the mats shift, creating a place for urine to pool and an edge to curl up. A tight fit is a safe, clean, and long-lasting fit. Don’t be afraid to use a pry bar or a block of wood and a sledgehammer to wedge that last mat into place.
Ultimately, the best stall mat is the one that fits your horse’s needs and your budget, but doing nothing is not an option. A good mat is a one-time investment in your horse’s daily comfort and a long-term solution to a painful, preventable problem. It saves you time, money on bedding, and the heartache of dealing with chronic sores.
