Are stall mats suppose to replace sawdust bedding ?

Answers:
Well, you should not really be using sawdust, rather shavings. Sawdust can cause breathing problems.
Stall mats are there to add some cushion, so the horses aren't standing on concrete, which can be very hard on joints. If you have dirt floors you don't need mats. Shaving on the other hand absorb urine. Mats will not absorb urine.

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At our barn, we have stall mats underneath the sawdust bedding.

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no they make it easier on your horses feet and keep the stall cleaner

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no the stall mats are suppose to add comfort rather than standing on cement or stone.

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No. By themselves they don't absorb urine and can get very slick. Some people feel they can use less bedding with the mats, but I have not found this to be desirable except where a horse had free access to the stall, only comes in briefly, and gets fresh bedding after every pee.

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No definately not. They are there to help urine not soak into the ground. Put a couple of inches of bedding on top of a stall mat.

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NO! Stall matts do not absorb urine do they? No, they are only going to make clean up easier on you... maybe. I had stall mats and hated them. I ended up with standing puddles of urine, so I took my stall mats out, dug a hole in the center of my stall, filled it with gravel and then put wood chips down, so now I have a nice drain in the center!

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I put shavings in half the stall but the stall has mats wall to wall.I feed on the mats not shavings after i clean i sweap the shavings to the other side.

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no

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I use mats and shavings.
Deep banks, shallow bed. But my horses aren't in much.
Urine gets under the mats and you have to take them out and disinfect periodically.
I do know of one horse that was kept on mats only - but he had allergies.

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no stall mats go under the sawdust. i would use shavings also. sawdust can be bad for your horses lungs

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No, stall mats are used to make your horses stall more comfortable but you need a couple inches of bedding on top of the stall mats.

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Usually people use "stall mats" underneath whatever bedding that they choose to use.

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They are not meant to fully replce bedding.
Aslong as you put down a small amount of bedding to absorb the urine they are great!

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Absolutely not!!
Mats just keep your stalls from loosing the flooring from 'digging out wet spots' or from getting ruts worn in them when horse's pace, etc. They make the barn last much longer.
HOWEVER- you should always have sawdust or shavings, etc, in place for the horse to lay on when inside. Also when you have stall mats, you should keep the shavings less than 1.5 inches deep. More than that will not let the horse get any 'grip' on the mat while trying to stand up from laying down.
This is important- my horse was almost permanently lamed b/c of his old barn having too deep of shavings. He slipped while trying to get up and ripped a muscle. After several years of therapy, he's fine but it was a very close call.
W/o shavings they will get bed sores. With too much they won't be secure when walking. They will slip and slide and not be able to stand up from laying down.
You should use both mats and shavings.

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Replace bedding? Good grief no! You place your choice of bedding on top of floor mats. Don't ever get black walnut or shavings with black walnt in them as your horse will founder and have big problems that cannot be corrected. Pine shavings are good.