✓Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com·Updated May 2026
Mud Control Grid recycled plastic interlocking grid by HAHN Plastics
Over the past 30 years, the Hahn Group has developed an international recycling company with locations in America, Canada, Germany, England, France, Italy, and Spain. With over 500 employees worldwide, Hahn is the leading producer of recycled products made from single-use plastic packaging waste and is continuously investing in research and development to make new innovative product solutions.
Mud Control Grid by Hahn Plastics Our Mud Control Grid by Hahn Plastics requires NO ground prep- machinery, or hard labor. Throw it down, step on it and attach it to the next one. So strong you can drive a tractor or truck over it!
Hahn Plastics Works Worldwide!
Over the past 30 years, the Hahn Group has developed an international recycling company with locations in America, Canada, Germany, England, France, Italy, and Spain. With over 500 employees worldwide, Hahn is the leading producer of recycled products made from single-use plastic packaging waste and is continuously investing in research and development to make new innovative product solutions. OurMUD CONTROL Gridshave become extremely popular due to their effectiveness, durability, ease-of-use, and affordable pricing!
Standing In 1 Inch Of Water For a Week Can Threaten The Life of Your Horse!
As unimaginable as it is, for a large animal to succumb to a hoof infection from just standing in watery mud for a week is not only true, it has happened before! There have also been cases of those same, otherwise healthy horses, turning septic and dying from that same hoof infection. Horses laying in mud can develop “Mud Fever” or “Scratches” on their fetlocks and legs, extremely hard to get rid of, not to mention other skin infections.
Why Don't These Grids Sink Into The Mud?
We get that question all the time. Even in the Deepest MUD— our grids are effective! The secret is both in the materials we use and the design. Our grids work just like snowshoes. They distribute weight across a wider area so that feet and hooves don’t sink. MUD CONTROL Grids create agiant snowshoe effectthat’s strong enough for vehicles. For best results, we suggest staggering the grids (offset them like bricks). This creates a stronger connection between the rows.
Alwaysuse a topping layer(e.g. sand or grit) when using Mud Control Grids for animals.
Forfeeding areas, use woodchip, wood pellet bedding, other bedding types (used is fine) or holey rubber grass mats.
Use washed fine/soft sand or quarried sharp sand –notrecycled sand. Other materials can also be used.
We recommend approximately one bulk bag per pallet of Mud Control Grids. Please check with your sand supplier that the sand is suitable for animals.
What Is The MUD GRID Made of And is There a Warranty?
Made of hanit, our exclusive, non-polluting recycled plastic material. This product comes with our 20-year warranty. You should always cover the exposed tabs on the outer edges to avoid damage from movement over the leading edge, this can be done with soil, sand, or a similar medium (broken tabs are not covered by the warranty).
You Have a Permanent Solution to Mud!
Call us today and let us direct you to your closest distributor.Remember, this is a solution that will last you for Decades saving you on vet bills — for Decades. No prep is needed and only a fine layer of sand or footing to cover the top once installed.Call today and get that horse out of the mud— Forever!
Mud Control Grid recycled plastic interlocking grid by Hahn Plastics
What exactly is a Mud Control Grid?
Mud Control Grids by Hahn Plastics are interlocking recycled-plastic slabs engineered to deliver an instant, stable, mud-free surface in horse paddocks, gateways, feeding stations, and high-traffic zones. Each grid measures 19 ½ x 19 ½" (50 cm x 50 cm) with a 2" (5 cm) diameter hole pattern, weighs under 15 lbs, and locks together with neighboring grids to form a continuous load-spreading platform. Unlike pour-in-place footing, the grids are laid directly on the problem area and begin working the moment they are connected. They are sold ready to install with no contractors, concrete, or specialized machinery required.
Horses standing on Mud Control Grids in a mud-free paddock
How the grids stop hooves from sinking
The principle is the same one that keeps a snowshoe on top of deep snow: the interlocking grid network spreads concentrated point loads, like a standing horse or a turning tractor tire, across a far wider footprint so nothing punches through into the mud below. Each grid is rated to carry 5.6 tons per square foot, and even in deep, sticky mud the grids settle and then stay riding on the surface rather than vanishing. A North Carolina customer reported, "These really work! Mine are 6 years old put down when mud was about 6 inches. They haven't moved and my horses love to stand on them when it's muddy." Because they float on the mud rather than displacing it, no excavation is needed.
Mud Control Grids being installed directly on top of mud with no ground prep
Material and the company behind it
The grids are produced from 100% recycled plastic using Hahn Plastics' proprietary hanit material, the same single-use plastic packaging waste the Hahn Group has built its business on since 1993. The product is made in Canada at the Waterloo, Ontario facility and ships across North America. Hahn Plastics operates locations in America, Canada, Germany, England, France, Italy, and Spain, employs over 500 people worldwide, and manufactures more than 2,000 recycled-plastic products, investing continuously in research and development. The recycled material is weather, rot, frost, UV, and chew resistant, and is non-toxic and non-polluting.
Mud Control Grid demonstrating it does not sink in deep mud
Why a topping layer matters for horses
For animal and livestock use, Hahn specifies that you always add a topping layer over the installed grids, typically clean sand or grit, to give hooves grip and protect the legs. The recommendation is roughly one bulk bag of topping per pallet of grids, and the preferred materials are washed fine or soft sand or quarried sharp sand, never recycled sand. Around feeding areas, woodchip, wood-pellet bedding, or rubber mats can be used as the topping instead. The grids themselves are anti-slip by design, but the topping layer is what turns them into a comfortable, safe standing surface for horses.
Who should be using them
Mud Control Grids suit any horse owner battling boot-grabbing mud at gates, run-in sheds, water troughs, wash racks, paddock corners, and walkways, and they are equally at home under cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and dogs. Because the grids can be lifted, moved, reused, and extended, they are ideal for rotational grazing and temporary setups as well as permanent installations, and tractors and other heavy vehicles can drive straight over them. They work on gentle slopes (which may benefit from pegging or framing) and need only minimal upkeep, a quick shovel or hose-down clears debris.
How to buy and what to expect to pay
Hahn sells through a network of authorized retailers across North America rather than direct, with a typical retail price between $17.50 – $25.00 (+ tax & shipping) per grid and volume discounts on larger orders. Grids are commonly offered as small trial bundles or by the full pallet for paddock-scale projects. Every grid carries a 20-year warranty and, per the manufacturer, is "likely to last much longer." For dealer locations, distributor inquiries, or product questions, Hahn Plastics can be reached at (519) 218-8800 or, J101-155 Frobisher Drive, Waterloo, ON N2V 2E1, Canada.
Who is HAHN Plastics — and what's the company posture?
Per HAHN Plastics: over the past 30 years, the HAHN Group has developed an international recycling company with locations in America, Canada, Germany, England, France, Italy, and Spain. With over 500 employees worldwide, HAHN is the leading producer of recycled products made from single-use plastic packaging waste.
Why does mud matter for horses — what's the danger?
Per HAHN: Standing in 1 inch of water for a week can threaten the life of your horse. Per the company: as unimaginable as it is, a large animal can succumb to a hoof infection from just standing in watery mud for a week — and there have been cases of those same otherwise healthy horses turning septic and dying from that hoof infection.
Horses laying in mud can develop "Mud Fever" or "Scratches" on their fetlocks and legs, plus other skin infections.
What's the Mud Control Grid?
Per HAHN Plastics: Mud Control Grids are extremely tough — they stand up to the deepest mud, are easy to install, and can withstand the weight of humans, horses, cars, tractors, and even firetrucks.
Is it true that no excavation or ground prep is needed?
Per HAHN: YES. Per the company: "More often than not, NO PREP IS NEEDED. That is the BIGGEST Advantage. You don't need to wait for the mud to dry, then level it off, then dig down 4-6 inches to install a grid — you just throw the MUD CONTROL GRID down on the mud and slot the next one into place."
Per the company: so easy, so effective, even a teenager can do it.
Why don't the grids sink into the mud?
Per HAHN: the grid construction (recycled plastic with engineered geometry) distributes weight across the surface area rather than concentrating it on a single point — preventing the grid from sinking. Combined with the lock-into-next-grid design, the surface stays stable even on deep mud.
How do I order?
Per HAHN Plastics: Phone 519-218-8800, email [email protected], website https://mudcontrolgrid.ca/. Pricing as quoted is subject to change due to economic factors.
What is a Mud Control Grid made of?
Mud Control Grids are made from 100% recycled plastic using HAHN Plastics' proprietary hanit material, manufactured from single-use plastic packaging waste. The recycled material is weather, rot, frost, UV, and chew resistant, and is non-toxic and non-polluting. The grids sold for North America are made in Canada.
How big is each grid and what does it weigh?
Each grid measures 19 ½ x 19 ½" (50 cm x 50 cm) with a 2" (5 cm) diameter hole pattern, and weighs under 15 lbs. The light weight means a single person can carry and place them by hand, yet they interlock into a continuous load-spreading surface.
How much weight can the grids hold?
Mud Control Grids are rated to carry 5.6 tons per square foot, which is more than enough for a standing or moving horse. The load rating also allows tractors and other heavy vehicles to drive directly over an installed grid surface.
Do the grids really not sink into the mud?
They work on the same principle as a snowshoe, distributing concentrated loads across a wide area so nothing punches through into the mud. The grids can be laid directly on top of deep, sticky mud; they settle initially and then ride on the surface. One customer noted theirs were installed over about 6 inches of mud and hadn't moved in 6 years.
Do I have to dig out or remove the mud before installing?
No. Mud Control Grids are designed to be placed directly on top of muddy areas with little to no ground preparation. There is no need for excavation, gravel base, concrete, or contractors, which is what makes installation virtually instant.
Can I install the grids myself?
Yes. Installation requires no special tools or equipment, and because each grid weighs under 15 lbs they are easy to handle and connect by hand. Customers regularly describe them as easy to put together and quick to install.
Why do horses need a topping layer over the grids?
For animal and livestock use, HAHN specifies always adding a topping layer such as clean sand or grit. The topping gives hooves grip and comfort and protects the legs. Around feeding areas you can use woodchip, wood-pellet bedding, or rubber mats instead.
What kind of sand should I use as a topping, and how much?
Use washed fine or soft sand, or quarried sharp sand, and avoid recycled sand. The recommended amount is approximately one bulk bag of topping per pallet of Mud Control Grids, though coverage varies with how thick a layer you want over the grids.
Are the grids slippery for horses?
The grids have an anti-slip design, but a topping layer is always required for animal use, which is what creates a safe, comfortable standing surface. The topping combined with the grid structure prevents the slick, churned footing typical of bare mud.
Do the grids work on a slope?
Yes, they can be used on gentle slopes. On slopes they may benefit from pegging or framing to keep the grid network in place, and where ground is waterlogged or has standing water, some additional drainage may be needed.
Will mud come up through the holes?
Initially some mud can push up through the holes, but the grids settle and then stay riding on top of the mud. Over time the surface stabilizes, and a topping layer of sand or grit covers the apertures to create a clean standing area.
How long do Mud Control Grids last?
Every grid comes with a 20-year warranty, and the manufacturer states they are likely to last much longer. The recycled-plastic material is weather, rot, frost, UV, and chew resistant, so it holds up to year-round paddock conditions.
Can I move or reuse the grids later?
Yes. Mud Control Grids can be lifted, moved, reused, and extended, which makes them well suited to rotational grazing and temporary setups as well as permanent installations. You can relocate a section to a new gateway or paddock without losing the investment.
Which animals can use the grids?
They are designed primarily for horses and cattle, and are also used successfully under sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and dogs. The same load-spreading surface works for any livestock or pet that needs firm, dry footing over muddy ground.
Can tractors and vehicles drive on them?
Yes. With a load rating of 5.6 tons per square foot, the grids support heavy vehicles including tractors, and they can be used for driveways and vehicle access on a temporary or permanent basis. This makes them useful for both livestock areas and farm traffic lanes.
How much do Mud Control Grids cost and where do I buy them?
Typical retail pricing is between $17.50 – $25.00 (+ tax & shipping) per grid, with discounts available on larger orders. HAHN Plastics does not sell directly; grids are available through a network of authorized retailers across North America. For dealer locations or distributor inquiries, contact (519) 218-8800 or [email protected].
What maintenance do the grids need?
Maintenance is minimal. Debris can be cleared with a quick shovel or hose-down, and the grids are unaffected by temperature, frost, or snow, though ice may form on standing water as it would on any surface. Periodically refreshing the sand or grit topping keeps the footing comfortable for horses.
