Horse Stable Rubber Flooring Qatar -- Screed vs Kraiburg Mat | Nice Equestrian
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QATAR HORSE GUIDE - QATAR EQUESTRIAN EDUCATION SERIES Blog 9 of 9 - Rubber Flooring: Screed vs Kraiburg Mat for Qatar |
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QUICK ANSWER For Qatar horse stables both rubber screed and premium rubber mats are excellent choices -- but they serve different needs. Rubber screed is seamless, available in multiple colours (anthracite, terracotta, green, brown, black, custom RAL) and ideal for isolation boxes and wash bays. Premium rubber mats (KRAIBURG BELMONDO, SAGUSTU) are faster to install, individually replaceable and the most popular choice for all standard stables across Qatar. Both systems are laid over a 1:50 sloped cured concrete base -- never on sand. |
The floor beneath a horse is the most welfare-critical surface in any stable. A horse spends up to 20 hours per day standing and lying on it. In Qatar where horses are stabled almost continuously in summer, flooring quality directly affects joint health, hoof condition, tendon stress and the quality of rest. This is Blog 9 of 9 -- the final blog of the Qatar Horse Guide. We compare rubber screed and rubber mat systems, covering installation, colours, costs and suppliers.
What is Rubber Screed and What Colours are Available?
Rubber screed is a seamless poured flooring system made from recycled rubber granules bonded with polyurethane. It is trowelled over concrete to 15-25mm thickness, creating a continuous joint-free surface. One of its key advantages over mats is colour choice -- critical for Qatar facilities that want to match brand or yard aesthetics.
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Colour |
Appearance and Character |
Qatar Recommended Use |
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Anthracite / Dark Grey |
Deep charcoal -- most popular professional colour. Hides sand between cleans. Strong premium aesthetic |
Standard stables, aisles, VIP yards |
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Black |
Pure black -- maximum contrast with bedding. Highest-end appearance |
Stallion boxes, isolation stalls |
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Terracotta / Brick Red |
Warm earthy red tone. Distinctive and elegant. Complements sand-coloured block walls |
Breeding facilities, decorative yards |
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Forest Green |
Natural earthy green. Less common but distinctive and fresh-looking |
Equestrian clubs, riding schools |
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Warm Brown |
Natural earthy appearance similar to traditional earthen floor. Very forgiving of Qatar sand and dust |
Private yards, traditional aesthetic |
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Custom RAL |
Any RAL chart colour -- SAGUSTU and Noddevelt offer full custom colour matching for large orders |
Royal stables, branded competition yards |
PRO TIP: Anthracite or dark grey screed is the most practical colour for Qatar stables. It conceals the fine desert sand that enters stables during shamal season, reduces cleaning frequency and maintains a premium look throughout the long summer stabling period. Reserve light colours for indoor arenas and wash bays where frequent hosing keeps them clean.
How Do Rubber Mats Compare to Screed?
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Feature |
Rubber Screed |
Rubber Mat (BELMONDO) |
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Surface |
Seamless -- zero joints. Maximum hygiene |
Joints between mats. Minimised with tight interlocking |
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Colour options |
Wide -- anthracite, red, green, brown, black, custom RAL |
Primarily black. Limited options |
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Installation |
Specialist applicator. 48hr cure. Higher labour cost |
DIY-compatible. Lay and interlock. Immediate use |
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Replaceability |
Full re-pour if damaged. Cannot replace single stable |
Single mat replaced in minutes if damaged |
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Material cost |
QAR 180-280/m2 |
QAR 120-200/m2 (BELMONDO premium) |
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Best Qatar use |
Isolation boxes, foaling stalls, wash bays |
All 20 standard horse stables |
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Qatar suitability |
Excellent -- best for specialist areas |
Excellent -- best for all standard stables |
Three-Tier Cost Comparison for Qatar. Approximate cost only.
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Element |
Posh Tier |
Mid Tier |
Budget Tier |
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Standard stables x20 |
Noddevelt screed 20mm anthracite seamless |
KRAIBURG BELMONDO 17mm mats black |
SAGUSTU 15mm mats or JH CE-certified mats |
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Isolation / foaling box |
Noddevelt screed micro-drainage custom colour |
BELMONDO 22mm thick mats |
SAGUSTU 17mm mats |
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Aisle |
Screed anthracite continuous from stable |
BELMONDO walkway mats bevelled edge |
SAGUSTU aisle mats or brushed concrete |
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Material per m2 |
QAR 260-380 |
QAR 140-220 |
QAR 80-140 |
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Installation per m2 |
QAR 120-180 (specialist) |
QAR 30-60 (lay only) |
QAR 20-40 (lay only) |
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Total per stable (20m2) |
QAR 7,600-11,200 |
QAR 3,400-5,600 |
QAR 2,000-3,600 |
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Total -- 20 stables |
QAR 152,000-224,000 |
QAR 68,000-112,000 |
QAR 40,000-72,000 |
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COST NOTES Costs cover rubber flooring materials and installation only. Not included: concrete base preparation, floor grinding or slope correction. Budget QAR 400-1,200 per stable for base preparation depending on condition. The concrete base must be fully cured (28 days), clean and sloped at 1:50 before any rubber system is applied. |
Verified Rubber Flooring Suppliers
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DE KRAIBURG BELMONDO -- Gummiwerk KRAIBURG Elastik GmbH -- Germany Address: Gollstrasse 8, 84529 Tittmoning, Germany Tel: +49 (0)8683 701-303 Email: belmondo@kraiburg-elastik.de Web: www.kraiburg-belmondo.com World leading horse stable rubber mat manufacturer. Founded 1947. ISO 9001, DLG certified, PAH-tested. Full range: 17mm and 22mm mats, walkway mats, drain mats, wall protection. Worldwide dealer network. Contact for Gulf region distributor. |
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DE SAGUSTU International GmbH -- Germany Address: Industriestrasse 7, 66892 Bruchmühlbach-Miesau, Germany Tel: +49 (0)6372 8031-0 Email: info@sagustu.de Web: www.sagustu.de Specialist equestrian rubber flooring and screed. DLG-certified. Full mat range plus polyurethane rubber screed in multiple colours including anthracite, terracotta, green and brown. Available in Qatar through Precious Qatar. Contact for Gulf wholesale. |
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NL Noddevelt BV -- Netherlands Address: Zandstraat 37, Berlicum, Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)73 260 0353 Email: info@noddevelt.nl Web: www.noddevelt.com Specialist seamless rubber screed system. Available colours: anthracite, black, terracotta, green, brown, custom RAL. Clients include Stephex Stables. Contact for Gulf region export and colour sample requests. |
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CN JH Horse Stall -- China Address: Hebei Province, China Tel: +86 18532363725 Email: Via website Web: www.jhhorsestable.com Budget tier rubber stable mats with CE certification. Exports to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain. Request certification documentation and 1m2 sample before bulk order. Lead time 20 working days from China. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which is better for Qatar -- screed or rubber mats?
For all 20 standard stables: premium rubber mats (KRAIBURG BELMONDO) offer the best combination of performance, cost and ease of management. For isolation boxes, foaling stalls and wash bays: rubber screed is superior due to its seamless zero-joint surface. Many Qatar facilities use mats in standard stables and screed in specialist areas -- getting the best of both systems.
Q: Can rubber flooring be laid directly on sand in Qatar?
No. All rubber flooring systems require a properly prepared concrete base -- minimum C25 concrete, 100mm thick, 1:50 slope, fully cured for 28 days. Sand or loose subbase causes mats to shift and creates dangerous uneven surfaces. This is covered in detail in Blog 3 -- Stable Flooring and Drainage.
Q: How long do rubber mats last in Qatar heat?
Premium mats from KRAIBURG BELMONDO and SAGUSTU last 15-20 years in Qatar conditions. Budget Chinese mats without DLG certification can degrade significantly within 3-5 years in Qatar UV and heat -- hardening, cracking and developing odour. Always specify PAH-tested, DLG-certified rubber for any Qatar stable flooring.
Q: Does coloured rubber screed fade in Qatar sun?
Screed inside stables receives no direct UV exposure and colour remains stable for the full 15-20 year lifespan. Any screed in areas with direct sun exposure -- covered walkways or wash bays with roof openings -- should be specified with UV stabiliser in the mix. SAGUSTU and Noddevelt both offer UV-stabilised mixes for partially exposed areas. Ask for UV-rated specification when ordering for any area receiving occasional sun.
Q: What maintenance does rubber flooring need in Qatar?
Daily: remove manure and soiled bedding -- do not allow ammonia to pool on rubber. Weekly: pressure wash and allow to dry. Monthly: inspect mat edges and seams for lifting -- reseat any loose mats immediately. Annually: clean with pH-neutral rubber-safe cleaner. Never use bleach, solvents or high-alkalinity cleaners -- they degrade rubber and accelerate cracking.
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QATAR HORSE GUIDE -- COMPLETE Qatar's first free equestrian education library -- all 9 blogs published by Nice Equestrian. Blog 1: Site & Orientation Blog 2: Stable Design Blog 3: Flooring & Drainage Blog 4: Lighting & AC Blog 5: Water Systems Blog 6: Feed & Hay Blog 7: Tack Room Blog 8: Insect Control Blog 9: Rubber Flooring |
Shop Stable Rubber at Nice Equestrian Qatar
Nice Equestrian stocks rubber stable matting and a complete range of stable supplies for Qatar. Available for immediate delivery across Doha and Qatar.
Browse at www.niceequestrian.com or WhatsApp 66682040 -- always happy to advise.
