Horse Floating Hack: The Clever Poop Solution You Never Knew You Needed

Reducing the Ick!

Here’s the game-changing tip: Place a mat where your horse usually does their business in the float. That’s it! Instead of spending your arvo scrubbing poo that’s been squished into the floor, you simply pick up the mat and tip the contents straight into the manure pile. No more ingrained, squished-in mess, and your float stays far cleaner with way less effort.

It’s such a simple idea, but trust me, once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. I’ve given it a go and it’s a total game changer—less cleaning, less smell, and no more dreading that post-trip tidy-up.

Where To Get Your Perfect Poo-Catching Mat

There are heaps of options out there, so you can find something that fits your float and budget. Here are a few to get you started:

• Checker Plate Floor Mat: Not only are these easy to clean, but they’re also anti-fatiguing—so great for your horse’s comfort on long trips.

• Flat Surface Rubber Matting Sheet: Simple, effective and easy to hose down after use.

• Dome Mat: Perfect if you want something that stays put and gives a bit of grip.

• Studded Rubber Mat: Durable and gives a bit of extra traction for your horse.

• Antifatigue Mat: These come in a variety of sizes, so you can custom-fit each bay in your float. Super comfy for your horse, too! (These are my choice!) You could also go all out and put some for their front legs too.

Here are two mats in my Ifor Williams HBX511 float (these are the Antifatigue Dome Mats from Clark Rubber in the link above)

Final Thoughts

A huge thanks again to Caithe for sharing this tip with the horse community—it’s proof that sometimes the best solutions are the simplest. Give it a crack next time you’re heading out, and let us know how it goes. Got your own float hacks? Share them in the comments—let’s keep making life easier for each other!

Bear in mind that when you lay these in the float, the horse(s) may notice a difference in their eyes (as they are sensitive to environmental changes as small as this may be). Give them a chance to process before loading them on. Let them check them out with a sense of curiosity, and you should be good to go!

Happy travels and happy horses, mates!