We've done the leg work so you don't have to!
Comparing the 5 market leading rigid product solutions for equestrians, plus the 2 most popular products in the flexible grass mat market.
Please note that the information contained on this page has been generated using the retailers own websites with the exception of the Chat GPT section on each of the further info boxes below. Nothing published here is the opinion of the authors.
If there are any errors or information to add, please contact us and we will verify and update the information as needed.
If you wish us to add a similar product to the comparison list please let us know.
Last update: 29th October 2025
SOLID PRODUCTS
-> Scroll right in table for all information ->
Logo | Product | Dimensions | Price per m² | Price Ranking | Warranty Guarantee | Warranty Ranking | Weight | Load Capacity | Load Ranking | Sq m per pallet | Per Pallet Ranking | Requires Topping? | Interlocking? | Overall Star Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HIT Top Clean | 114cm x 81cm x 4.5cm | £34.67 | 7 day guarantee | 24.5kg | Not stated | 27 sq m | ||||||||
HIT Step Mat | 50cm x 50cm x 5.5cm | £39.20 | 7 days guarantee | 9kg | Not stated | 25 sq m | ||||||||
Mudcontrol Slabs | 50cm × 50cm × 5.3cm | £34.00 | 20 year warranty | 7 kg | Rated to 60 tonnes per m² | 35 sq m | ||||||||
Standard Ground Stabilisation Mats | 117.5cm × 80cm x 4.4cm | £34.29 | Not stated | 22kg | Not stated | 28 sq m | ||||||||
Compact Ground Stabilisation Mats | 80cm x 42.5cm x 4.6cm | £37.80 | Not stated | 9kg | Not stated | 25 sq m |
FLEXIBLE PRODUCTS
Logo | Product | Dimensions | Price per m2 | Warranty / Guarantee | Weight | Load Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grass Support Rubber Hollow Mats | 150cm × 100cm × 2.2cm | £11.20 | Not stated | 12.5kg | Not stated | |
Gateway Rubber Grass Mat | 100cm × 150cm × 2.3cm | £26.66 | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
A CLOSER LOOK...
Jelka – HIT Top Clean
We asked ChatGPT to give us a paragraph on the pros and cons of this product, including factual and anecdotal comments, and this is what it said:
"Pros: large, heavy mats with a reputation for excellent stability on curves and in wet areas, popular in busy gateways. Many users are happy with their long-term performance when correctly installed. Cons: they need a firm, well-prepared sub-base (usually compacted stone), which adds cost and time to installation. They’re also heavier to handle than most grids. Anecdotally, there are a few reports of tearing or breaking, generally tied to lifting or poor base prep, not widespread in-use failure."
An overview of installation and topping requirements taken from the suppliers website.
Level the existing surface by hand or machine. Fill in any ruts or hollows and remove excess soil. Loosen and level the soil with a rake or machine. Backfill with soil or small aggregate to support the underside and ensure the mats sit flat. An aggregate layer is optional but we strongly recommend it for longevity and stability of the surface particularly with heavy horses and vehicles. Failure to prepare the ground correctly could result in the mats cracking or breaking from lack of support. Sand is an optional surface covering. We recommend sand as it is intended to increase surface slip resistance and aid poo picking.
Jelka – HIT Step Mat
We asked ChatGPT to give us a paragraph on the pros and cons of this product, including factual and anecdotal comments, and this is what it said:
"Pros: smaller interlocking rigid tiles (500 × 500 × 55 mm), easy for one person to handle and ideal for tight or awkward spaces like narrow gateways. They offer more flexibility in layout than large panels. Cons: still require proper base prep to stay stable over time, and interlock issues can crop up if the surface isn’t level. Long-term user data is limited compared to Top Clean, but breakage reports are minimal."
An overview of installation and topping requirements taken from the suppliers website.
Heavy duty rigid ground mat with interlocking tabs designed to stabilise vehicle access, walkways and other areas over unprepared ground. At 55mm thick, the Step Mat is designed for heavy loads and heavy use, even with little ground preparation. Safe for use with horses, extremely slip resistant with shod and unshod hooves.
MudControl - Mudcontrol Slabs
We asked ChatGPT to give us a paragraph on the pros and cons of this product, including factual and anecdotal comments, and this is what it said:
"Pros: modular 50 × 50 cm recycled-plastic grids that can be laid directly on grass, soil, or mud, making them a favourite for DIYers. They’re praised for fast installation, removability, and proven durability under heavy traffic — from horses to vehicles. Because they’ve been sold and used far more widely than other systems in the UK, there’s a huge pool of feedback, both good and bad. Cons: the most frequent criticism is slipperiness for shod horses if not topped with sharp sand or a similar material, and a few users mention the topping can wash off on slopes. There are occasional breakage mentions, but these are rare relative to the enormous number of installs."
An overview of installation and topping requirements taken from the suppliers website.
The more level and even the ground, the better the result. Lumps or rocks need to be removed. Holes/dips/voids need filling before laying the slabs (with soil, manure, wood chip, pea gravel, sand, bedding etc).
The slabs need to be evenly supported and filled in, with a substrate such as sharp sand or a similar medium for proper installation.
Mudcontrol recommend a common-sense approach when installing and maintaining the slabs. Any hard surface placed where horses / livestock are left to move freely will have mud, manure, rain, ice and similar brought onto it, all animals behave differently therefore, Mudcontrol slabs require a suitable topping of sand or a similar medium for additional grip, this is also a requirement of proper installation
WF Racing – Standard Ground Stabilisation Mats
We asked ChatGPT to give us a paragraph on the pros and cons of this product, including factual and anecdotal comments, and this is what it said:
"Pros: large interlocking panels, described by users as robust and easy to fit, with good grip once down. They can be used on their own or filled with aggregate. Cons: like Jelka, they need more thorough ground preparation than Mudcontrol. Feedback volume is lower overall, but at least one UK user has reported multiple mats breaking after installation, while others report no issues at all. Some customer service replies online indicate issues are handled individually."
An overview of installation and topping requirements taken from the suppliers website.
Stable ground is ground that is made up of a flat and load-bearing soil. It is firm and solid ground that can withstand heavy machinery (minimum bearing capacity of 25Mpa). If you install your grids on this type of ground, you can lay them directly, making sure that they are in contact with the ground at all points of their surface.
For unshod horses, ponies or other animals, our mats can be used either profile side up for areas where they will be moving more slowly. For horses that wear metal shoes we recommend, for safety, that you use the mats grid side up and fill with a mineral filling. This is to provide extra grip and stability for horses with metal shoes. In the winter or during rainy conditions, if your mats are profile side up without a dressing, for unshod horses, you may find, that like concrete, they can get a little slippy, like any firm surface. You can put grit or sand onto them to help with these sorts of wintery conditions.
WF Racing – Compact Ground Stabilisation Mats
We asked ChatGPT to give us a paragraph on the pros and cons of this product, including factual and anecdotal comments, and this is what it said:
"Pros: large interlocking panels, described by users as robust and easy to fit, with good grip once down. They can be used on their own or filled with aggregate. Cons: like Jelka, they need more thorough ground preparation than Mudcontrol. Feedback volume is lower overall, but at least one UK user has reported multiple mats breaking after installation, while others report no issues at all. Some customer service replies online indicate issues are handled individually."
An overview of installation and topping requirements taken from the suppliers website.
Stable ground is ground that is made up of a flat and load-bearing soil. It is firm and solid ground that can withstand heavy machinery (minimum bearing capacity of 25Mpa). If you install your grids on this type of ground, you can lay them directly, making sure that they are in contact with the ground at all points of their surface.
For unshod horses, ponies or other animals, our mats can be used either profile side up for areas where they will be moving more slowly. For horses that wear metal shoes we recommend, for safety, that you use the mats grid side up and fill with a mineral filling. This is to provide extra grip and stability for horses with metal shoes. In the winter or during rainy conditions, if your mats are profile side up without a dressing, for unshod horses, you may find, that like concrete, they can get a little slippy, like any firm surface. You can put grit or sand onto them to help with these sorts of wintery conditions.
HorseMat - Grass Support Rubber Hollow Mats
We asked ChatGPT to give us a paragraph on the pros and cons of this product, including factual and anecdotal comments, and this is what it said:
"Pros: low-cost rubber mats, quick to lay, popular for wash bays, trough areas, and lighter-use gateways. They provide immediate coverage and drainage when used on firm ground. Cons: widely reported to sink, shift, or break up in deep winter mud and heavy hoof traffic if the base isn’t solid. They’re generally seen as a light-duty or temporary solution, not a structural one."
An overview of installation and topping requirements taken from the suppliers website.
Grass Mats are incredibly easy to install using our Plastic Pins and ties. To achieve the best results use our underlay mesh underneath. They work by embedding into the root base of the grass. They can be laid all year round and used straight away. Installing in the spring when you have the strongest grass growth will give the best results.
If you already have a muddy area these mats prevent it from getting worse. For soft areas, the mats can be back-filled with rubber chippings, sand, etc. to provide a harder surface. Made from 100% Natural Rubber and Synthetic Rubber Blend with recycled content (carbon black) for environmental purposes.
Slip‑Not -Gateway Rubber Grass Mat
We asked ChatGPT to give us a paragraph on the pros and cons of this product, including factual and anecdotal comments, and this is what it said:
"Pros: easily sourced across the UK, marketed as durable, perforated for drainage, and simple to install. Favoured for quick fixes in lower-traffic spots. Cons: prone to sinking, splitting and edge lift under pressure if the sub-base isn’t well prepared. Forum chatter often mirrors the limitations of other rubber mats: good on firm ground, poor in deep mud."
An overview of installation and topping requirements taken from the suppliers website.
A Heavy duty Gateway grass mat designed with safety in mind and can be laid onto existing grassed areas to create a safe natural look, or indeed a simple quick fix for hard areas.
Easy Installation: Installing our heavy-duty rubber mats is a breeze. The interlocking design allows for a seamless connection, ensuring a secure and stable surface for your equine friends to walk on.