Walking On Volume 4, Issue 3, March 2017 | Page 19

Back to Basics
threats to the health of a horse kept
in small acreage areas and can cause
irreparable internal damage. Manure
management is an important part of
controlling parasites.
So What Are Your Options for
Managing Manure?
Essentially, your choices are to
use it on-site, give it away, or haul it
off-site.
If you don’t plan to use the ma-
nure yourself, you should develop a
plan so that other people can make
use of it. You may be able to make
arrangements with landscapers,
nursery or garden centers, parks and
neighbors to either buy your unpro-
cessed or composted manure or take
it off your hands for free. You may
need to deliver the manure yourself.
Manure Collection
Typical management of horse ma-
nure consists of removing daily and
stockpiling for later use or spreading
on cropland.
Manure that is spread daily
should be thinly distributed and
chain harrowed (dragged) to break-
up larger manure piles and to expose
parasite eggs to the elements, and
to encourage rapid drying. Don’t
spread on pastureland that will be
grazed by horses during the current
year.
Alternatively, manure may be
stockpiled and allowed to accumu-
late until it can be disposed, or com-
posted for later use. A large storage
area will allow for better flexibility in
timing of manure use.
A 144 square foot enclosed space
will contain the manure from one
horse for a year. Over time, manure
shrinks from decomposition and
may accumulate to 3-to-5 feet in
deep. Your storage area should be
easily accessible for loading and
unloading.
The location for the storage area
is important in order to safeguard
against surface and groundwater
contamination. The storage area
should be at least 150 feet away from
surface water (creeks and ponds)
and wells. A perimeter ditch dug
around the storage area may be
needed to prevent runoff. Covering
the storage with either a roof or tarp
can help prevent the contamination
of both groundwater and surface
water.
Some of the newer bedding
products are more absorbent al-
lowing you to use less bedding than
traditional straw. Using less bedding
means you have less waste to man-
age. Also, don’t use too much bed-
ding and only use the amount neces-
sary to soak up urine and moisture
in order to reduce the amount you
have to manage.
Composting
Composting manure for 6 months
to a year will yield a relatively dry
product that is easily handled and
reduces the volume of the manure
by as much as 40 to 60 percent. This
also kills fly eggs, larvae, pathogens
and weed seeds.
Aeration will speed the compost-
ing process. The rate of decompo-
sition is dependent on how often
the pile is turned. An alternative to
turning the pile is to insert perfo-
rated PVC pipes into the pile to
provide aeration. The composting
process will take a little longer, but
is much less labor intensive. A slow
decomposition rate is usually due to
a lack of aeration.
The compost pile should remain
moist. It may need to be watered
or covered to maintain moisture.
If small moisture droplets appear
when squeezing it in your hand,
then the moisture content is suf-
ficient. Compost should be sweet
smelling. If an unpleasant odor is
coming from the pile, it is too wet
and should be kept under a cover to
help keep the moisture out.
Composted manure acts as a slow
release fertilizer and is a great soil
supplement that can be spread on
pastures. Manure that has not been
composted should be spread only on
cropland or other ungrazed, vegetat-
ed areas.
Hauling Off-Site
Landfills should only be used if no
other option exists. And note, not all
landfills will accept manure. Remem-
ber, your horse’s manure is a valuable
resource and is best used for recy-
cling as opposed to disposing.
There are some refuse/waste
companies who specialize in haul-
ing away manure as well as recycle
it. This is a good alternative for
people who do not have adequate
land where manure can be stored or
spread. These refuse companies will
provide a dumpster and will sched-
ule regular pickups based on your
needs.
Randall Holman, site owner of Front Range Frenzy and horse enthusiast, is the author of this article. You will find other easy and practical
basic horse care information on his website: [http://www.frontrangeFrenzy.com].
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Randall_Holman/6730
19