For decades, horse owners have faced the same frustrating equation: comfortable stalls require mountains of bedding, and mountains of bedding require mountains of money. With shavings costing $5-7 per bag and the average stall consuming 4-5 bags weekly, a single horse can generate bedding expenses exceeding $1,500 annually. For boarding facilities with 20 or more stalls, that translates to $30,000 or more disappearing into the muck pile every year.
Performance Footing, already renowned for their innovative arena solutions, has revolutionized stall management with their groundbreaking stall mat system. Featuring thick rubber construction combined with proprietary foam inserts, this isn’t just another rubber mat – it’s a complete reimagining of equine comfort that promises to slash bedding costs by up to 75% while actually improving your horses’ well-being.
The Hidden Cost Crisis in Every Barn
Breaking Down the Bedding Budget Nightmare
Walk into any horse barn across North America, and you’ll witness the same daily ritual: wheelbarrows full of soiled bedding heading to ever-growing manure piles. What many facility owners don’t realize is just how much money they’re literally throwing away. Consider the true cost breakdown for a typical 12×12 stall:
Traditional bedding requirements demand 4-6 inches of shavings for adequate cushioning on hard surfaces. This translates to approximately 4-5 bags per stall initially, plus 1-2 bags weekly for maintenance. At current market prices of $5-7 per bag, a single stall costs $20-35 to bed initially, then $5-14 weekly to maintain. Over a year, that’s $260-728 per stall in bedding alone – and that’s assuming perfectly clean horses and meticulous stall management.
The financial burden extends beyond just purchasing bedding. Labor costs for daily mucking average 20-30 minutes per stall with deep bedding. For a 20-stall facility, that’s 6-10 hours daily just removing soiled bedding. At $15 per hour, labor adds another $32,850-54,750 annually. Then there’s waste disposal – many facilities pay $200-500 monthly for manure removal, with costs directly proportional to bedding volume.
The Health and Performance Impact
Beyond economics, excessive bedding creates health challenges often overlooked until problems arise. Deep bedding harbors ammonia from urine, creating respiratory irritants that contribute to conditions like heaves and inflammatory airway disease. Uneven bedding depth leads to unstable surfaces, potentially causing slips or awkward positioning that stress joints and soft tissues.
Ironically, while we add bedding for comfort, many horses avoid lying down in deeply bedded stalls due to the effort required to rise from soft, shifting surfaces. This reluctance to achieve REM sleep – only possible when lying down – impacts recovery, performance, and overall well-being. The solution has always seemed to require choosing between economics and equine comfort, until now.
Performance Footing’s Game-Changing Innovation
Revolutionary Design Meets Practical Application
Performance Footing’s stall mat system represents a fundamental shift in how we approach stall flooring. Unlike traditional solid rubber mats that merely provide a barrier between horse and floor, this system incorporates multiple technologies working in harmony to create the ultimate equine surface.
The foundation consists of thick, premium rubber construction using virgin materials – not recycled content that can harbor contaminants or break down prematurely. This base layer provides durability expected to exceed 20 years of continuous use, backed by Performance Footing’s commitment to quality that arena customers already trust.
What sets this system apart is the integration of proprietary foam inserts engineered specifically for equine biomechanics. These aren’t simple padding but carefully designed components that provide graduated support, compressing under weight to cradle joints while maintaining enough firmness for easy movement and rising. The foam technology draws from Performance Footing’s extensive experience with arena additives, applying those lessons to create optimal cushioning that doesn’t bottom out or lose effectiveness over time.
The Science of Comfort
The multi-layered design addresses every aspect of equine comfort and health. The surface texture provides ideal traction – grippy enough for confident movement yet smooth enough to prevent abrasions. Strategic design ensures any moisture that penetrates minimal bedding drains away rather than pooling, while the antimicrobial properties of the materials resist odor-causing bacteria.
Perhaps most importantly, the system mimics the give of natural pasture ground. Horses instinctively recognize this comfortable surface, with users reporting dramatic increases in lying down time and improved quality of rest. Unlike traditional mats where horses often paw or show reluctance to lie down, Performance Footing’s system encourages natural behaviors essential for physical and mental health.
The Mathematics of Massive Savings
Bedding Reduction That Adds Up
With Performance Footing’s stall mat system properly installed, bedding requirements plummet to just a thin layer for urine absorption – typically 1-2 bags per stall instead of 4-6. This 75% reduction in bedding needs transforms the economics of horse keeping. Let’s examine real-world savings:
Single Horse Owner Savings:
- Traditional bedding cost: $520-728 annually
- With Performance Footing mats: $130-182 annually
- Annual savings: $390-546 per horse
- 5-year savings: $1,950-2,730 per horse
20-Stall Boarding Facility Savings:
- Traditional bedding cost: $10,400-14,560 annually
- With Performance Footing mats: $2,600-3,640 annually
- Annual savings: $7,800-10,920
- 5-year savings: $39,000-54,600
These calculations consider only direct bedding costs. Factor in reduced labor (stalls clean 50% faster with less bedding), decreased waste disposal fees (65% smaller manure pile), and lower storage requirements, and total savings can exceed $15,000 annually for a 20-stall facility.
Return on Investment That Makes Sense
While the initial investment in Performance Footing’s system exceeds basic rubber mats, the payback period typically ranges from 18-24 months through bedding savings alone. Unlike traditional mats requiring periodic replacement or suffering from curling edges and degradation, this system’s 20+ year lifespan means the savings continue year after year.
Consider a 12×12 stall requiring coverage. Even at premium pricing, the system pays for itself through bedding reduction while delivering superior comfort. When you factor in potential veterinary savings from reduced hock sores, improved respiratory health, and better overall condition from quality rest, the investment becomes even more compelling.
Installation Designed for Long-Term Success
Professional Expertise Makes the Difference
Performance Footing brings the same commitment to professional installation that has made their arena systems industry leaders. Their experienced teams understand that proper installation determines whether you achieve maximum benefits or face ongoing frustrations. The process begins with thorough stall evaluation, addressing any base irregularities that could compromise performance.
Unlike traditional mats that often shift, create gaps, or allow bedding migration underneath, Performance Footing’s system includes innovative edge-sealing technology. This creates a true wall-to-wall surface that stays put, eliminating the common frustrations of mats separating or corners lifting. The installation team ensures perfect fit and finish, customizing around feeders, waterers, and other stall fixtures.
DIY-Friendly Design for Smaller Operations
While professional installation delivers optimal results, Performance Footing recognizes that many smaller facilities prefer self-installation. The system includes detailed instructions and support, with modular components manageable by two people. The company provides technical support throughout the process, ensuring even DIY installations achieve professional results.
Key installation advantages include no special tools required beyond basic hand tools, pre-measured components that eliminate cutting or complex fitting, and intelligent design that accommodates standard stall dimensions. The system’s forgiving nature means minor imperfections in base preparation won’t compromise performance, though proper base preparation always yields best results.
Real-World Performance That Exceeds Expectations
What Horse Owners Are Saying
Users of Performance Footing’s system report transformative results that extend far beyond simple cost savings. Horses with chronic hock sores show improvement within days as the cushioned surface eliminates pressure points. Older horses with arthritis move more freely, lying down and rising with confidence previously lost on harder surfaces.
Stable managers particularly appreciate the dramatic reduction in daily maintenance time. What once required 20-30 minutes per stall now takes 10-15 minutes, with less physical strain from moving heavy, saturated bedding. The smooth, non-porous surface simplifies cleaning while the antimicrobial properties maintain freshness between thorough cleanings.
Performance horses benefit from improved recovery through better sleep quality. Trainers report horses seem more relaxed and focused, likely due to achieving proper REM sleep cycles only possible when lying down comfortably. The system’s joint-supporting properties may contribute to career longevity, though long-term studies continue.
Long-Lasting Quality You Can Trust
Performance Footing’s reputation for quality extends to their stall mat system. Built with the same attention to detail and premium materials that have made their arena products industry standards, these mats are designed to provide decades of reliable service. The thick rubber construction resists compression and breakdown, while the foam inserts maintain their cushioning properties year after year.
Unlike cheaper alternatives that may seem attractive initially, Performance Footing’s system maintains its performance characteristics throughout its lifespan. The virgin rubber won’t develop the characteristic smell of recycled materials, and the carefully engineered surface texture won’t wear smooth or become slippery over time.
Making the Investment Decision
Calculating Your Facility’s Potential
Every facility’s economics differ, but Performance Footing provides tools to calculate your specific savings potential. Consider these factors when evaluating the investment:
Current bedding costs: Track actual usage including waste from over-bedding or poor management. Many facilities use 20-30% more bedding than necessary due to uneven base surfaces or inefficient cleaning practices.
Labor expenses: Calculate true hourly costs including benefits, workers’ compensation, and employment taxes. Reducing stall cleaning time by 10 minutes per stall daily saves 60+ hours monthly for a 20-stall facility.
Waste management: Smaller manure piles mean less frequent removal, reduced storage requirements, and potentially lower disposal costs. Some facilities report negotiating better waste removal rates due to reduced volume.
Horse health factors: While harder to quantify, reduced veterinary expenses from fewer respiratory issues, hock sores, and stress-related conditions provide real value. Insurance companies increasingly recognize facility improvements that reduce claim frequency.
Competitive Advantage Through Innovation
For boarding facilities, offering Performance Footing stall mats creates marketable differentiation. Educated horse owners understand the health benefits of quality stall surfaces and willingly pay premium board rates for superior amenities. Marketing “75% less dust exposure” and “orthopedic stall comfort” attracts quality clientele who value their horses’ well-being.
The system also addresses growing environmental concerns. Reduced bedding consumption means fewer trees harvested for shavings, smaller carbon footprints from bedding transport, and less waste entering landfills. Facilities can legitimately market themselves as environmentally conscious while saving money – a rare win-win scenario.
Maximizing Your Investment
Best Practices for Installation and Maintenance
To ensure maximum benefit from your Performance Footing stall mat investment, proper installation and maintenance are crucial. Begin by thoroughly evaluating your stall bases, addressing any drainage issues or uneven surfaces before installation. While the system’s design accommodates minor imperfections, a level base ensures optimal performance and longevity.
Consider starting with your highest-traffic stalls or those housing horses with special needs. This approach allows you to perfect your maintenance routine while demonstrating value to boarders or family members who may be skeptical of the reduced bedding approach. Most facilities find that once horse owners see the benefits, demand for matted stalls increases rapidly.
Creating a Complete Comfort System
Performance Footing’s stall mats work synergistically with their other products to create comprehensive equine comfort solutions. Facilities already using BaseCore for arena construction or FoamFooting for riding surfaces understand the company’s commitment to innovation and quality. Adding their stall mat system completes the circle of care, ensuring horses enjoy optimal comfort whether training or resting.
The company’s holistic approach to equine surfaces means their technical support team understands how each component contributes to overall horse health and performance. They can advise on creating integrated solutions that maximize both horse comfort and facility efficiency.
The Bottom Line: Innovation That Pays
Performance Footing’s stall mat system transforms stall management economics while elevating equine comfort to unprecedented levels. Through innovative design combining thick rubber construction with proprietary foam technology, the system delivers what others only promise: genuine savings without compromise.
For facilities drowning in bedding costs and labor expenses, this represents a lifeline to profitability. For horse owners prioritizing their animals’ well-being, it offers peace of mind that comfort doesn’t require constant financial drain. Most importantly, for horses themselves, it provides the joint-supporting, rest-promoting surface nature intended but modern management often fails to deliver.
The convergence of superior comfort, dramatic cost savings, and enhanced horse health creates a compelling value proposition rare in the equine industry. While the initial investment requires careful consideration, the rapid payback and long-term benefits make this a strategic decision rather than mere expense.
Contact Performance Footing at 877-835-0878 to discuss how their revolutionary stall mat system can transform your facility. Whether you manage a private barn or commercial operation, investing in quality stall flooring is investing in your horses’ health, your facility’s efficiency, and your financial future. Your horses – and your bank account – will thank you.
