Product Review: CGear Sandfree Mat

This mat is outstanding for tack stalls, so much so that even a slob like myself can appreciate its greatness.

I’m going to be honest with you all, my show tack stall will never win any awards (unless they start giving one for the stall that most closely resembles the aftermath of a Cat 5 hurricane….I might be able to play that angle). It isn’t that I can’t appreciate a well setup tack stall, it’s simply that with all the work that HAS to be done at a horse show (and the absence of a herd of grooms), I refuse to put in any additional effort to unload and setup additional things that will need to be stripped down and reloaded in a few days.

Fortunately, my clients don’t suffer from OCD so they have managed to survive my very ‘workmanlike’ tendencies here. One sticking point, however, has been that it’s fairly inconvenient to try to change into white pants while standing on a dirt/sand/grass/clay covered floor in the tack stall (picture hopping about on one foot trying to keep a sock clean, pants half on, then slipping to land squarely in said dirt/sand/grit etc — it’s amusing for everyone except you). Regular rugs are a giant pain in that they are bulky to haul around, dirty, and heavy to move on your own. I was casually considering the little snap together mats but hadn’t gotten around to actually getting any when I was asked to try the CGear Sandfree Mat: I ended up being quite impressed with it.

PROS:

• Easy to move (load, unload, lift, etc. You won’t break your back or risk getting dirty looks for your questionable language while trying to maneuver it).
• Keeps sand from coming up (makes changing in the tack stall much more pleasant).
• Sifts sand tracked in down and away (less sweeping)!
• Stays put and offers good traction (you’re not going to slip and break yourself when you come running in at mach five for that forgotten bridle number, whip, hair net, etc).
• Multiple sizes for multiple uses.

CONS:

• None that I can see.

The CGear Sandfree Mat has a patented dual layer design that allows for sand to fall through the top and out the bottom without being able to come back through. This basically meant that not only did nothing from the ground work its way through, but all the sand we tracked in sifted out! I don’t know about you, but I’m a fan of not having to sweep.

The CGear Sandfree Mat comes in a variety of sizes and looks a bit like a heavy duty tarp. It’s pretty lightweight but feels super sturdy and well made. My first time using it I was impressed by how easy it was to manage; it was a bit larger than the 10′ by 12′ stall we had so I had to fold some of it under. Even with it being folded it stayed perfectly in place with no slipping or moving. Even Maggie playing, running in and out of the tack room, wasn’t enough to dislodge it. Since I can trip on literally nothing, I was quite pleased with that.

Maggie gives it her seal of approval. Note that we did track some hay in, but there’s NO dirt or sand. Photo (c) Morgane Schmidt Gabriel

I’ve used the CGear Sandfree Mat at three different shows this year, and it has been easy to load and unload, easy to place, always stayed exactly where I put it, been incredibly stable, and managed to keep all sand and grit from coming up and through it. I’m suitably impressed. While the organization of the tack stall may still leave a bit to be desired, at least we aren’t playing in dust and dirt too.

Wilson gives it his seal of approval, too, as it didn’t slip when he barged his way in to steal a carrot. Photo (c) Morgane Schmidt Gabriel

Ultimately, if you’re looking for an effective, convenient solution for tack stall flooring at horse shows, the CGear Sandfree Mat is a super option. The multiple size options also make this mat perfect for other summer activities like the beach or camping.

Check out their website for more information and ordering. You can also visit their Facebook page for upcoming products and events!

 Go Riding! Then play adult themed card games!

Morgane Schmidt Gabriel is a 35-year-old teacher/artist/dressage trainer/show announcer/ who still hasn’t quite decided what she wants to be when she grows up. A native Floridian, she now lives in Reno, NV, where she’s been able to confirm her suspicion that snow is utterly worthless. Though she has run the gamut of equestrian disciplines, her favorite is dressage. She was recently able to complete her USDF bronze and silver medals and is currently working on her gold. Generally speaking her life is largely ruled by Woody, a 14.2 hand beastly quarter horse, Willie, a now beastly 7-year-old Dutch gelding, and Stormy, her friend’s nearly all white paint gelding with a penchant for finding every mud hole and pee spot in existence. Visit her website at www.theideaoforder.com.