b'FARM&BARNthe horse will lie. Instead, locate it toward a wall, and grade the stallaccordingly. If you do install drains, place cleanout traps in them to catch and remove solid material, she says.Troubleshooting Flooring Problems Not all stall floors are perfectly even, safe, and maintenance-free. Here are four issues you might encounter and how to address them. Stall mats curling up This is usually a base management issue. Crushed road base should be made up of variable-sized angular pieces, so it can pack tight. If pos-sible, avoid sand, pea gravel, other round rock, or even straight run gravel, as it will be too loose to pack down. As mentioned, stall mats less than -inch thick are prone to moving around. Cutting and fitting mats tightly in place isCutting and fitting mats tightly in place is key to keeping corners snug and secure. You can also use a key to keeping corners snug and secure.bolt with a flush, rounded top (right) to fasten mats to a concrete floor safely.You can also use a bolt with a flush, rounded top to fasten mats to a concretetop. Correctly installed, level stall matswill contribute to ammonia volatilization floor safely.are much better on your horses bodyand odor. The solution? Check for roof Horses wearing holes in stalls If yourthan an uneven, damp stall surface. and waterer leaks, use enough absorbent horse is wearing holes in his stall floor,Air quality and ammonia issues Odor is- bedding to capture urine, and clean thor-first explore whether its a training orsues usually occur when you dont removeoughly daily. You can also purchase stall environmental enrichment issue or aurine and feces from the stall fast enough.products that absorb ammonia.flooring material issue, says Fabian. IsMoisturewhich could be from urine, the horse bored? Does he need more turn- rain, or a leaking waterer combinedTake-Home Message out or pasture time? If hes not spendingwith feces creates that ammonia smell.Build your stall flooring from the base a significant amount of time indoors andAnything wet that mixes with manureup. Choose one that is easy on legs, with is still wearing holes, you might considerenough give to minimize tendon and joint different flooring types.strain. Be sure you can effectively keep Historically, hard pack clay was theWant to Learn More? the stall dry to avoid odor issues. The standard stall floor material, but one ofFind out how to install rubber stall matsideal flooring is one thats smooth and at TheHorse.com/135670, and read the challenges with clay or dirt is it getsup on stall bedding selection criteria ateven for stall-cleaning ease but still offers wet from urine. Once wet, soil loses itsTheHorse.com/182188. traction and comfort that encourages the bearing strength, and anything heavyhorse to lie down.hsinks in, creating a trench or pothole, Fabian says. Keeping stalls dry by using absorbent bedding, cleaning frequently, and checking for roof or other water leaksDandy Products, Inc.will help prevent holes. An impervious surface, such as a con- PADDING & FLOORING SPECIALISTScrete apron around the stall door, high-traffic areas, or even across the wholePadding At Its Best Non-Slip Safety floor, can prevent holes, as well. AnyBreeding Sheds, Stocks, Stalls,Floors for All Areasproperly constructed flooring with stallTrailers, Exercise & TrainingPavesafe Bricks & Tiles, mats on top, however, should be resilientAreas, Induction & RecoveryTrac-Roll & Vet-Trac Floors, enough to withstand pawing and traffic.Rooms Table & Surgical Pads,Wash Stall,Grooming, Uneven ground Correct this situationNeo-Natal Foal Beds Aisleway and Trailer Matsby renovating the stall surface usingToll-Free 888.883.8386513.625.3000one of the aforementioned materials. IfFAX 513.625.2600you choose to install mats, first level the3314 State Route 131, Goshen, Ohio 45122ground with a base of crushed road mix,www.dandyproducts.netthen compact it before fitting the mats on TheHorse.com|The HorseJanuary 202033Farm&Barn_Jan_use.indd 33 12/3/19 3:33 PM'