Transforming Equine Care with Kura Rubber Matting

Transforming Equine Care with Kura Rubber Matting

Warrnambool, Victoria
Project Overview

Warrnambool-based horse trainer, Tom Dabernig, decided to transform the bedding solutions at his stables by replacing the conventional concrete floors with NumatAGRI’s high-quality Kura equine rubber matting. The aim was to increase comfort for the horses, reduce bedding usage, and improve the overall efficiency of cleaning routines. 

The Problem: Inefficient and Unsafe Bedding Systems

Operating from Warrnambool Racing Club, Victoria, Tom was utilizing traditional concrete flooring, overlaid with substantial bedding, for his stables. Not only did this require significant amounts of bedding material, but it also created safety issues for the horses, who often slipped while trying to stand. Additionally, the intensive cleaning process required to maintain these stables was laborious and resulted in a dusty environment detrimental to equine respiratory health.

"Since using the Numat, we stable probably three-quarters of the box. Sawdust that we put on top doesn't have to be as thick and we find that the horses are very comfortable. They're happy to lie down. The staff really love using it for the cleaning of the stables."

The Solution: Kura Equine Rubber Matting

After a thorough review of available products on the market, Tom decided to install Kura’s equine rubber matting, a high-quality, durable solution known for its long-lasting performance. The innovative design and material of Kura rubber matting provided a firm, consistent surface that significantly improved the safety and comfort of the horses. This change reduced the depth of bedding required, creating substantial cost savings and a cleaner environment.

Tom commended the switch, saying, “Since using the Numat, we stable probably three-quarters of the box. Sawdust that we put on top doesn’t have to be as thick and we find that the horses are very comfortable. They’re happy to lie down. The staff really love using it for the cleaning of the stables.”

Outcomes and Benefits

Kura’s rubber matting has proven to be a beneficial investment for Tom and Warrnambool Racing Club. Not only has it contributed to significant bedding savings, but it also increased the safety and comfort levels of his horses. The rubber matting’s durability has ensured its condition remains as good as the day it was installed.

“In regards to the durability of the product, Tom elaborated, “One of the advantages I see is it’s a very hard-wearing rubber. It sits very firm and consistently on the stable floor. Some of the rubbers that I’ve used as flooring in the past can tend to get wavy or bubbles under them and shift… Since we’ve had Numat, it’s probably as good as the day that we laid it and I just think it’s a very good quality product.”

He concludes, “Financially it’s a start to big savings. I certainly could never see myself going back to conventional bedding over concrete. I think it’s a superior product and I could highly recommend it.”

Further Case Studies

View All

Further Case Studies

Ensuring Safety and Performance at Lindsay Park Racing

Euroa, Victoria

As a leading racing stable, the facility strives for the best in horse care and training, with a focus on maintaining an environment that promotes both safety and peak performance.

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

Further Case Studies

Ascot Farms Horse Walker Surfacing

Cambridge, Waikato

Numat worked with Ascot Farms in Cambridge to provide a system horse walker mat system that was thicker, stronger and more durable than their previous matting. For this project, Kura was the obvious choice.

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

[Video] The Wilson Sisters Reduce Slips In Their Stable

Whangārei, Northland

Sisters, Vicki, Kelly and Amanda, had all witnessed horses slipping and falling on the concrete and knew they needed a high-grip solution to the problem.

Read full case study

previous slide
next slide

VGrip Installation Project at CVLX Saleyards

VGrip Installation Project at CVLX Saleyards

Ballarat, Victoria
Background

Based in Ballarat, CVLX is a leading livestock exchange facility that manages the movement of 1.6 million sheep and 60,000 head of cattle per annum. Having been in operation for close to five years, the team faced a persistent challenge with the safety and efficiency of their unloading ramps. The ramps, particularly for sheep, were highly susceptible to becoming slippery, resulting in injuries and inefficiencies in their operations.

The Problem: Slippery Ramps Leading to Injuries and Inefficiencies

Lucas Fudge, the assistant manager at CVLX, described the issue, “One of the issues we faced here at CVLX was how our unloading ramps for the sheep, in particular, get very slippery. This posed a significant risk to the safety of the livestock and impacted our efficiency negatively.”

"It's a great product, it's very, very reasonably priced. I think it's going to last us a long time and going forward, I'll recommend it to anyone."

The Solution: Installation of VGrip Rubber Matting

CVLX decided to invest in VGrip, a reliable and durable agricultural rubber matting product by NumatAGRI, to address the slippery ramp issue. VGrip was installed at the base of the unloading ramps, offering superior grip to the livestock and ensuring their safety during unloading.

Results: Enhanced Safety, Decreased Injuries, and Improved Operations

Post the installation of VGrip, the team at CVLX has observed a significant decrease in livestock injuries. “Ever since we’ve put in the VGrip, we’ve seen a huge decrease in injuries to sheep coming off the ramps. I’d say we’ve probably had a decrease down to 30% of the injuries we were getting.”

The VGrip matting has also proven easy to clean and maintain, contributing to the ease of operations. As Fudge notes, “It’s very easy to clean, very easy to maintain, and I am loving it for what it is.”

"I'd say we've probably had a decrease down to 30% of the injuries we were getting."

Client Feedback: Overwhelmingly Positive

The product has been positively received not just by the team at CVLX but also by everyone using the sheep ramps. Fudge stated, “Since the installation of VGrip, we’ve had nothing but compliments. Everybody that uses the sheep ramps and receives sheep at the bottom has spoken very highly of the product.”

Conclusion: A Value-for-Money Investment for Livestock Facilities

Given the success of the VGrip installation at CVLX, the product comes across as a highly recommended, cost-effective solution for similar facilities dealing with livestock. As Fudge puts it, “It’s a great product, it’s very, very reasonably priced. I think it’s going to last us a long time and going forward, I’ll recommend it to anyone.”

Further Case Studies

View All

Further Case Studies

Reducing Slipping at CQLX Saleyards

Rockhampton

The stable matting at Almaree Park is modern, easy to clean, and non-slip.

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

Protecting Stock with YoungStar Matting at JAD Agriculture

Yeoval, Central West NSW

The stable matting at Almaree Park is modern, easy to clean, and non-slip.

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

Youngstar matting a non-slip solution for Doug Benson

Victoria

HomeCase Studies Located in rural East Victoria, sits Doug Benson’s farm. In 2022, Doug got in touch with the team…

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

Improved Safety and Comfort: Rubber Matting Installation at Rangers Valley Feedlot

Glen Innes, New South Wales

HomeCase Studies Rangers Valley Feedlot is a cattle processing facility located in Glen Innes, northern New South Wales. They process…

Read full case study

previous slide
next slide

Youngstar matting a non-slip solution for Doug Benson

Youngstar matting a non-slip solution for Doug Benson

Victoria

Located in rural East Victoria, sits Doug Benson’s farm.

In 2022, Doug got in touch with the team at NumatAGRI to find a solution to the slipping happening in his crush area. The sharp turns were causing cows to slip up if they moved around corners too quickly, and in a feat to eliminate the hazards Doug wanted to trial rubber matting.

“This was a slip area in front of the crush, so we had to put something to stop our cows from slipping.”

After ordering a sample of YoungStar and testing it out, he called the team to install some YoungStar 20mm mats in his crush and shed area.

The rubber mats have helped eliminate slip points and have slowed the cows down as they cove through the crush. Doug explained to our team, “The cows don’t run. We haven’t had a cow fall over since we’ve put this in.”

The Youngstar rubber matting has proved to be an excellent investment for Doug. It has helped prevent injuries to his cows and improved their overall health and wellbeing. The mats provide a comfortable and safe, non-slip surface for his animals to stand and walk on.

Further Case Studies

View All

Further Case Studies

Reducing Slipping at CQLX Saleyards

Rockhampton

The stable matting at Almaree Park is modern, easy to clean, and non-slip.

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

A Solution to Slipping for Platinum Pastoral

Meekatharra, WA

In the last few seasons, Darren had noticed an increased number of cattle slipping when leaving the crush, so he began looking for solutions.

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

[Video] 10 years and counting at Swanslea Farm in Kopaurahi

Kopaurahi, Waikato

Henry Schipper installed Numat rubber matting on his yard in Kopaurahi in 2010, after major issues with pugging in wintertime. “Since we’ve put the matting down, we’ve had basically no bad hoof problems, nothing like we used to have.”

Read full case study

Further Case Studies

Numat rubber matting, an all-round surface solution

Te Awamutu, Waikato

Dairy farmer Peter Marwood says he discovered Numat at the Mystery Creek Fieldays and decided to install the ErgoMat in the pit of his shed and also in his daughter’s horse stable.

Read full case study

previous slide
next slide