When it comes to horse stall flooring systems, Lauren Sprieser learned that hard way that looks can be deceiving.
Haygain’s ComfortStall Sealed Orthopedic Flooring looks like another stall flooring product from the surface. Both have a single piece cover that seals to the stall wall.
But the similarities end there.
The Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer purchased the other flooring when she bought Clearwater Farm in Marshall, Virginia 16 years ago. Early on, however, this horse stall bed fell short of what she wanted for her elite sporthorse training facility.
She was expecting a combination of cushion and give that she describes as “squishy.” Instead, Lauren found that this product's rubber crumb cushioning material was never sufficiently squishy, even on day one.
Durability was also disappointing. “In four or five years, the horses put holes in them. The company sent us patch kits to repair the holes, but they never held.”
During a major renovation 10 years ago, Lauren replaced 11 of those stalls with ComfortStall Flooring, made by Haygain.
“I can’t say enough good things about ComfortStall,” she enthuses. The flooring uses a dense, medical grade foam that does not compress over time. Lauren and the horses in her care loved them from day-one and ever since. Even after 10 years, the ComfortStalls look and function as if they were brand new, Lauren asserts.
She purchased an additional nine ComfortStalls when she expanded her stable recently. “We had fun bouncing up and down on the new flooring, and we noted that it looks just the same as the ComfortStall flooring we put in 10 years ago. You really can’t tell the difference!”
Easy On Environment & Budget
A desire to use less shavings was the impetus for looking into sealed flooring with built-in cushion. “We do a lot of composting and we wanted to use less bedding and use a bedding that breaks down more easily.
"ComfortStall’s claim of using less bedding has held true. It's more environmentally friendly, and I also don’t have to pay for having so much bedding taken away. And our staff spends less time cleaning the stalls.
“We’re not creating a bunch of waste and our horses still lie down and are comfortable,” she continues. “Hock sores are not an issue and the flooring is just better all around.”
Every aspect of Clearwater Farm’s facility is designed to support optimal horse health. The 85-acre property features more than 40 grass pastures and endless trails for hacking and conditioning.
Maximum ventilation flows throughout the cinderblock stable. The 12 ‘ x 14’ stalls have windows facing out or run-outs and grated fronts to ensure airflow. Infrared solariums, ice and laser therapies, dust free arena footing and a covered Equineciser are among the facility’s many health-oriented amenities.
Now, all 20 of the horses in Lauren’s care have flooring that meets her high standards for their health and well-being.
