From Slip to Grip: Enhancing Safety at Takapoto Estate Equestrian
Cambridge, Waikato
The Situation
Takapoto Estate, based in the heart of Waikato, New Zealand, is a professional home-bred showjumping yard in Cambridge. The yard houses Takapoto bred horses, trained by three professional riders. Takapoto Estate also operates a purpose-built showjumping facility in Karapiro. The estate previously had some matting in the stables but recognised a need to upgrade and add more to ensure the safety and comfort of both horses and staff.
The Challenge
While their existing matting had served them well, Takapoto Estate needed an upgrade to ensure optimum safety and comfort for their horses and ease of maintenance for the staff. They were looking for a product that would effectively prevent slipping, especially when the horses were lying down, and ensure easy cleaning and maintenance for the stable hands. They also wanted to eliminate the issue of unpleasant horse urine odours permeating the stable environment.
The Solution
After considering various options, they chose to return to the product they knew and trusted: NumatAGRI’s Kura mat. As Shorty noted, “We looked around for other products and came back to the product we already had used, and it had stood this time not wearing out.”
The mats were installed not just in the stables but also in their tie-up and hose areas to provide a safer flooring throughout these often-slippery area. “We also added Numat to our tie up areas and our hose areas, which obviously is a wet surface.” NumatAGRI helped to suggest the most suitable products for each area, ensuring the solution perfectly met Takapoto Estate’s needs.
"We're really, really happy with the new mats that we have purchased recently. Our horses are safe, staff are safe, and I highly recommend them as a product to be used in the future."
The Impact
The results of the project were extremely positive. “The Numat stops horses slipping. It’s more comfortable for them to lie down. The more comfortable our horses are, the better their performance will be.” This upgrade significantly reduced the risk of injuries associated with slipping in the stables and provided a more comfortable environment for the horses.
Moreover, cleaning the new matting became a more manageable task for the staff, and helped them successfully tackle the long-standing problem of horse urine odour. “With the Numat stable matting, we’ve eliminated the issue of horse urine smell seeping through the bedding,” said Shorty.
The Conclusion
Numat AGRI’s rubber matting has improved safety for horses in the stables and tie-up zones at Takapoto Estate. It’s easier to clean, reducing staff workload, and it helps control odours, making the stables fresher. Shorty concludes, “We’re really, really happy with the new mats that we have purchased recently. Our horses are safe, staff are safe, and I highly recommend them as a product to be used in the future.”
