- Install rubber floor mats to keep your horse safe and healthy
- Before you can install these mats, you need to prepare the subfloor
- This often means leveling everything off as much as possible and clearing the area
Your horses mean everything to you. Whether they are pets, workhorses, showhorses, or athletes, they are far more than an investment. We get it; we’re just as passionate about equine and livestock and have committed ourselves to providing them with only the best.
That means keeping your horses safe and choosing to install rubber floor mats in your barn. For some, that may mean you need to replace the barn floor. For others, it’s starting from the very beginning. Regardless, you’ll need to prepare the subfloor.
Our installation guide has a quick how-to, but read on for a detailed explanation of preparing the subfloor.
Why Is a Subfloor Important?
The subfloor is the foundation for your rubber mats. If you haven’t prepared a sturdy, level subfloor, every layer of your floor will be at risk of moving and buckling. When you install rubber floor mats, they must hold up to your horse’s continued weight and movement.
With a proper subfloor, though, you ensure your stall, aisle, or tack room is sitting on a solid base, one less at risk of cracking or erosion.
What Comes First In Preparing the Floor?
The most important factor in a subfloor is having a level playing field. In some cases, this means you’ll need to replace the barn floor surfaces you currently have. If there is residual concrete or material from an old floor, it must be cleared before you install a rubber floor in your stall.
Remove any large pieces in the way, using a shovel or jackhammer if need be, to leave yourself with a floor that can be sifted, then leveled. Consider this the preparation for the preparation.
Preparing the Subfloor
Now it’s time to actually prepare the subfloor. With the big pieces out of the way, you can level the floor in your area. Use a piece of wood, shovel, or anything with a flat surface and create a single, level layer with the dirt or soil that is already there.
It’s important to install rubber floor mats on an even surface because it reduces the risk of your horse's weight shifting the mats or of natural elements eroding the area. It also reduces stress on your horse’s joints since standing on slanted surfaces can wear on their bones over time.
Spread a Substrate
Whether you must replace the barn floor or are starting anew, you will need to spread a substrate layer for the foundation. An ideal substrate is stone dust, with rocks no larger than a pencil eraser. Look for .250" / down crushed limestone or granite.
Never use a “natural base” for this, since once you install rubber floor mats in the stall, the dirt, clay, or sand will naturally and quickly shift under pressure from the horse. Some professionals use wood, but wood needs to be specially treated to withstand constant wear. This will lead to buckling, disintegrating material, and uneven surfaces that can cause harm to you and your horses.
Add a layer of substrate about 4 to 6 inches high, then level it off as well.
Next Steps In Preparing the Floor
Once the subfloor is level and a substrate has been laid, you need to fortify the subfloor, a crucial step in creating a sturdy foundation. This requires tamping down the substrate and creating a completely solid surface.
After that layer is handled, you can actually install rubber floor mats in your area. Some of our floor mats are sold as kits, making measurements and installation easy. If you need to replace barn floor areas in an uncustomized stall, though, our mats can be cut with a utility knife.
Conclusion
The rubber mats from Therubberman.com are long-lasting, high-quality, re-vulcanized rubber. With a properly prepared subfloor and foundation, they will last you for years to come. Contact us with any questions about installation or ordering today!