Flooring in horse barns is important no matter the age of your equid. However, senior horses sometimes aren’t as sure-footed or mobile due to arthritis or other issues. This means the flooring you choose for your seniors is critical to their health and well-being.
In this article, we invited Heather Lewis, AIA, NCARB, AAA, a principal in the architectural firm Animal Arts, to help us better understand flooring in equine barns.
Basics of Horse Facility Flooring
The floor that your horse stands on helps to protect his safety, noted Lewis. It must be non-slick and cleanable. It must also be durable.
She said the best way to tackle the question of flooring in your horse barn is to divide your space into functional areas. “The decisions you make will vary based on use,” she said.
Equine Medical Treatment Areas
If you want to “do it right,” then it is best to install seamless flooring in medical areas, Lewis said.
For safety, the floor should be resilient, which means that it compresses and spring back into shape. “It is difficult to find a resilient floor that is durable enough,” noted Lewis.
She said some equine hospitals and stables with medical treatment areas have installed a poured rubberized floor product over a pad. “While this type of product can be successful, be aware that some of the pads are made of an open-cell material,” said Lewis. “If the top layer is punctured, then water can get into the pad. That can cause a failure of the floor product.”
Another option is a seamless polyurethane system that is poured over a rubber base layer. “This installation has the benefit of a cushioned surface while providing a better bond between the top and bottom layers,” said Lewis. “The bottom layer does not wick moisture, which helps to prevent failures. If you use this product, it is important to get the right level of slip resistance in the top layer. Have the manufacturer provide you with a mockup.”
Lewis warned that any high-performance product is going to be expensive. “The floor systems described above can cost $20-$30 per square foot or more!”she advised.
Footing in General Work Areas
Many horse facilities need a more cost-effective solution in general equine work areas. “Consider leaving some of the concrete slab exposed and install a thick rubber surface or rubber mats where the horses will stand,” advised Lewis. “Rubber mats manufactured for equine uses typically have a sealed surface for better cleanability.”
Rubber mats are notorious for trapping bacteria beneath them. Lewis advised that if you are using rubber mats, remember to periodically clean and dry them. She said that in large areas, it might be better to adhere them to each other and to the slab below.
Footing in Barn Aisles
It is a good practice to use as little water as necessary when cleaning your barn,” suggested Lewis. “If you use a lot of water to clean, then it is essential to design the aisles with seamless surfaces.”
In healthy horse barns, it is acceptable to cut down on water usage and to install a more porous product such as rubber pavers. Rubber pavers are effective because they can be placed indoors or outdoors. The pavers drain naturally if they are placed over compacted, porous sub-grade.”They look great as well!” added Lewis.
An inexpensive footing solution for barn aisles is a simple concrete slab. Lewis recommended having your contractor finish the slab with a broom finish for slip resistance.
Final Words
Price of footing, use of the area, and special needs of horses will dictate the types of footing you might use in your horse barn or facility. Seniors often need a little more secure footing. They also appreciate footing and bedding that offers a softer option for horses that lay down more.
Work with a local builder or contractor to find the best options for the footing in your barn or horse facility. Keep in mind safety, ability to clean the footing, and cost.
