Which Horse Stall Flooring Option Should You Choose?
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Do you run an equestrian centre or a boarding facility for horses? Are you going to build a new stall for horses or renovate an existing one? The sort of flooring your stalls might have is one of the most fundamental decisions you will need to make for your equestrian facility. While conventional options are natural soil and wood planks, they can be hard to keep clean. In particular, wood can start to smell like ammonia from urine over time. Today we’re going to talk about horse stall flooring options so you can make the right decision with your renovation.
Concrete
You are in luck if your facility already has a concrete slab floor. Concrete is an affordable, robust flooring option that is simpler to clean than many of its alternatives. It resists damage and needs less maintenance than other alternatives.
However, there are texture concerns when it comes to concrete. Some horse owners believe that concrete is too rough for the hooves of their horses, but a polished floor would be too slippery. It's recommended to grind the concrete, but not to the point of having a shine so your horse doesn’t slip.
Hygiene
Concrete is often misconceived to be a very strong material. However, it’s actually very porous, and when liquids are spilled it can seep through and stick for long periods of time. When it comes to urine, for example, a concrete floor can become a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses which of course, could be very harmful to your horse, and your health! An epoxy floor coating can help seal off the concrete and prolong its life in order to overcome these concrete flooring problems in horse stalls. You can click here to find a reputable resin floor company.
How epoxy improves concrete flooring
A coating can be applied to your concrete floor in two steps, using a resin and a curative solution which then form a strong chemical bond. There are many advantages for horse stalls using epoxy to improve concrete flooring such as:
Sanitation - An epoxy floor covering prevents liquids from seeping into the surface of the concrete. Cleaning is just a matter of the liquids being mopped off the floor.
Abrasion resistance - The concrete underneath is covered by epoxy coatings against cracks and other damage from impacts and constant foot traffic from both hooves and shoes.
Slip resistance - For enhanced traction, non-slip aggregate may be applied to the epoxy coating to prevent horse hooves from slipping on smooth concrete.
Longevity - Epoxy coatings, depending on the amount of traffic they are prone to, can last for numerous years without wearing out.
Ultimately, a mixture of concrete and epoxy is the best flooring choice for your equestrian centre or horse stable. The epoxy coated concrete base will achieve both the longevity and the safety you are looking for.
Finally, if you're boarding horses in your stable for long periods of time, you'll want conventional bedding or rubber mats over the concrete to also be used in the stalls themselves. It is vital for the horses' comfort and musculoskeletal health to have something soft for them to stand on, but the epoxy covered concrete underneath will keep the floor strong and sanitary.
