PasturePuff FAQ

Yes. PasturePuff can be used as an alternative to traditional bedding in a wide range of situations where comfort, cleanliness, or environmental control is important.

It is particularly well suited for:

• Horses with respiratory sensitivities, including asthma or allergies, where dust-free environments are critical

• Horses with allergic reactions to traditional bedding, such as straw, shavings, or pellets

• Horses prone to colic from ingesting bedding, offering a non-ingestible resting surface

• Horses on stall rest, where consistent cushioning and easy sanitation are essential

• Horses requiring a more sterile or controlled environment, including veterinary, rehabilitation, or isolation settings

• Laminitic or sore-footed horses, where even pressure distribution and orthopedic support help reduce standing fatigue

• Senior horses who benefit from joint-friendly support and easier rising

• Post-procedure or recovering horses, where cleanliness, stability, and comfort matter most

PasturePuff does not replace appropriate management, turnout, or veterinary care, but it provides a clean, supportive, and low-maintenance foundation that can significantly reduce the challenges associated with traditional bedding.

Horses naturally benefit from having options in their environment. Research shows that standing on compliant or unstable surfaces increases the amount of postural control effort a horse uses, because the body must make more continuous balance corrections. When horses are given access to both firm, stable footing and softer, cushioned surfaces, many choose to use a combination, sometimes standing with only part of their body on the mattress and part on solid ground. This behavior suggests horses self-select the surface that best meets their needs in the moment, rather than preferring only one type of surface. Providing both firm and soft areas allows horses to choose what feels best for them throughout the day, rather than being forced to stand on a single surface all the time.

Yes. PasturePuff was originally designed for horses with laminitis, where stable, cushioned footing is essential. Its therapeutic support also benefits animals with arthritis, ringbone, joint soreness, or chronic pain by reducing stress on hooves, legs, and joints.

Yes. PasturePuff is suitable for foaling stalls because it offers a stable, non-skid, waterproof surface that can be easily cleaned and disinfected. It helps provide a cushioned and hygienic environment for mares and foals without the drawbacks of loose bedding.

We recommend the Large Horse / Draft size to accommodate your mare and foal.

Traditional rubber stall mats are designed primarily for durability and flooring protection, not orthopedic comfort. Most are approximately ½" thick rubber, while some alternatives use EVA foam or thin “bubble” designs encased in rubber. These materials provide limited pressure relief and minimal cushioning for standing or rest.

PasturePuff was developed specifically to address comfort and pressure distribution, not just coverage.

Through extensive testing of mattress thicknesses ranging from 2" to 6" and multiple foam densities, we found that horses consistently preferred our 4" dual-density orthopedic foam configuration for both standing and sleeping. This design offers meaningful pressure-point relief and support that thin rubber or EVA-based mats cannot provide.

Horses place significant weight on joints and soft tissue while standing and lying down. Just as people and dogs require more than a thin layer of dense material for true orthopedic support, horses benefit from substantial, purpose-engineered cushioning — not simply a resilient surface.

PasturePuff is not a flooring mat; it is an orthopedic mattress system designed for comfort, recovery, and long-term wellbeing.

You don’t need a permanent stall system to give your horse the best - but PasturePuff is a beautiful compliment if one is already in place!

Permanent stall systems offer a strong, fixed foundation for daily barn life. But PasturePuff brings something they can’t: therapeutic, orthopedic comfort with the freedom to go wherever your horse goes.

• Stand-Alone Comfort – A PasturePuff can serve as your horse’s primary resting surface, even without a permanent stall base — perfect for turnout pens, temporary barns, or travel.

• Elevate Existing Stalls – For barns with permanent stalls, simply place a PasturePuff on top to create a cushioned retreat without altering your current setup.

• Portable Luxury – PasturePuff travels easily — from stalls to trailers, turnout pens, or showgrounds — so your horse rests on the same premium surface everywhere.

• Focused Recovery – Especially valuable for horses on stall rest or recovering from injury, ensuring consistent orthopedic support that protects joints and encourages deep, restorative rest.

• Effortless Care – Unlike fixed systems, PasturePuff requires no special maintenance and cleans in seconds with a simple sweep or hose-off - and doesn’t hold onto odors!

• Consistent surface - Unlike some permanent installations that can harden, compress, or wear unevenly over time, PasturePuff maintains a uniform, supportive surface across the entire mattress.

Permanent installations offer structure; PasturePuff provides the sanctuary.

Whether enhancing a luxury barn or creating a comfortable space anywhere, PasturePuff ensures your horse rests on the best possible foundation — no construction required.

The 4" thickness reflects extensive real-world testing across multiple foam densities and mattress heights. Through this process, we found that 4" of dual-density orthopedic foam consistently provided the best balance of comfort, support, and stability for horses during both standing and rest.

Thinner options, such as 2", did not provide sufficient pressure-point relief or joint support under sustained weight. Thicker configurations, such as 6", introduced excess softness that reduced stability and made movement less natural. The 4" configuration delivered the most consistent preference across horses, supporting comfort without compromising balance or footing.

Absolutely! Our Breakeven Calculators let you see how quickly a PasturePuff can pay for itself compared to traditional bedding or pads.

Performance Horse Calculator– Shows the savings when you replace shavings, rice hulls, or straw with a PasturePuff, plus how much less time you’ll spend cleaning stalls each day.

These tools highlight not just the obvious costs, but also the hidden ones — like the hours spent hauling and spreading bedding, the hassle of constant re-ordering, the valuable barn space eaten up by storing bulky bags and bales of bedding, and the waste that piles up from frequent replacements.

By swapping out the endless cycle of bedding for a single, long-lasting PasturePuff, you give your horses a cushioned, orthopedic stall that’s easy to keep spotless — and you reclaim both time and space, while enjoying lasting savings.

Large Horse/Draft Size — Ideal for horses 15.1 hands and larger, or mares & foals in foaling stalls

Average Horse/Pony Size — Ideal for horses 15 hands and smaller and ponies such as Shetland

Mini Size — Perfect for miniature horses

Please see the "Horse Stall Size Guide” below for a visual example of how these fit within a standard 12’ x 12’ stall.

Yes. PasturePuff mattresses are tested with both barefoot and shod horses.

For best results, horses should have properly fitted shoes with no excessively protruding nails, which is standard best practice regardless of flooring or bedding. Under normal conditions, both barefoot and shod horses use PasturePuff comfortably and safely.

Please review the section for fabric recommendations to ensure you make the best choice for your horse.

Choosing the Right Fabric Matters
PasturePuff offers two exceptional fabric options, each engineered for different needs. Both are suitable for indoor/outdoor use and all weather conditions. The difference is in the durability and expected longevity.

• Standard Fabric is ideal for animals without known destructive behavior, for stalls or loose boxes with attached turnouts or run-in sheds when used indoors.

• Premium Fabric is designed for aggressive chewers, sharp or unshod hooves, and situations involving sustained pressure or higher wear, such as use in stalls or loose boxes with no attached turnout.
  
  Premium fabric will last years longer than the standard fabric, especially when protected from UV exposure.

If your horse has a history of chewing or damaging “tough” bedding, Premium Fabric is strongly recommended and may be required for warranty replacement.

Selecting the right fabric from the start ensures the best long-term experience—for both you and your horse.

Patience is key! Many animals will adopt it naturally once they associate it with comfort. Some horses will take to it right away, and others might take days or even weeks.

Here’s a few tips that have resulted in successful mattress use to try:

• Walk horses over it like a tarp or bridge.

• Place it where they eat or sleep.

• Scatter familiar bedding (like shavings) on top initially, then gradually remove. This typically encourages horses to paw and roll on it.

• Close the horse in a stall or loose box overnight and restrict access to any attached turnout.

No. PasturePuff lets animals choose when to stand or rest. The premium memory foam won’t compress or get lumpy, so support stays consistent for years.

We’ve found that sometimes horses prefer to stand on firm ground, and sometimes on the mattress. The PasturePuff allows the horse to make the decision based on how they are feeling in the moment without the need of owner intervention or supervision.

PasturePuff mattresses are waterproof and designed to be easily rinsed and maintained, but urine management depends on the horse’s housing setup. Horses naturally prefer to urinate in areas that absorb moisture and reduce splashing, so the goal is to work with that instinct whenever possible.

• Option 1: Enclosed stall with space for limited bedding
  If the mattress does not cover the entire stall, place a small, defined pile of shavings in an uncovered area. Most horses will naturally choose this softer, absorbent spot for urination, keeping the mattress cleaner while still benefiting from full-time comfort and support.

• Option 2: Enclosed stall with no alternative bedding
  In situations where no additional bedding can be used, some horses will urinate wherever is most convenient. In these cases, we recommend regular rinsing of the mattress or affected area as part of daily stall care. Because PasturePuff is fully waterproof, it can be quickly rinsed and returned to service without absorbing moisture or odors.

• Option 3: Stall with an attached run
  For horses with access to a run, we recommend no additional bedding inside the stall. Some horses may initially urinate on the mattress; if this occurs, simply rinse it each time. Within a few days, most horses will naturally begin urinating in the run — especially if the run includes a soft, inviting surface such as sand or a small pile of shavings that minimizes splashing.