The best choice for a stall floor is one with some “give” to it for ease on the horse’s joints, as well as non-slippery, indestructible and easy to keep clean characteristics. Many base floor options offer most, but not all, of these advantages. That’s why so many horse owners invest in rubber mats, grid or foam mattress systems to “finish” their stall flooring.
The base floor consists of compacted sub-soil, 4 to 5 inches of gravel, crushed limestone, followed by your choice for the final surface. If you make the right flooring choice now, you’ll probably have little maintenance to worry about in the future. Rubber mats and various stall systems are a one-time expense that will more than pay for themselves over the long haul when you consider the escalating prices for bedding.