Let’s talk about an often overlooked resource: horse manure. Did you know that a horse produces around 20 to 25 kg of manure per day? That adds up quickly. Instead of seeing it as waste, you can turn it into a valuable resource by composting it and using it to improve your soil. Properly composted horse manure is a useful and natural soil improver for gardens and outdoor spaces.
The answer is no. Fresh horse manure contains high levels of ammonia and soluble nitrogen, which can damage plant roots and foliage. It can also create strong odors in the garden.
Composting the manure first allows these compounds to break down, making the material much safer and more suitable to use around plants.
Collect the horse manure in a manure bin and place it in an open area where it can compost undisturbed.
Keep the pile moist, but not saturated. The material should remain damp, as microbial activity slows down when the pile dries out. Turn the pile regularly to add oxygen. Without enough aeration, unpleasant odors can develop.
With active management, including sufficient moisture, oxygen and warmth, horse manure can compost into a high-quality soil improver in around 6 to 8 weeks. In colder conditions, the process may take several months.
Deworming medications used in horses can affect some of the organisms involved in the decomposition process.
If possible, avoid using manure from recently treated horses in your compost pile. If you are unsure whether manure contains residues, spreading it out so it is exposed to sunlight and UV light may help break down some chemical residues. Even so, it is still recommended to let the manure age or compost for a longer period before using it in the garden.
Another potential issue is the presence of persistent herbicides in manure. Horses may ingest these chemicals when they eat grass or hay from treated fields.
These herbicides can remain active even after composting and may damage sensitive plants. This is sometimes referred to as “killer compost.” Broadleaf crops such as beans, tomatoes and peppers are especially vulnerable.
Herbicides of concern include:
If the manure may contain these substances, it is best not to use the compost in vegetable gardens. It may still be suitable for corn, onions, garlic or grass areas.
Would you like to keep things neater and easier to manage? Horse manure can also be composted in a manure bin, making it easier to collect, manage and turn the material.
Many gardeners use two or three bins:
The pile should be large enough to generate heat. In general, a compost pile needs at least 1 m³ of material. Larger bins often make the process more efficient and easier to manage.
For example, the manure bins from mestbak.be can hold up to 1.8 m³, providing enough volume for effective composting.
Horse manure compost is ready when the material has fully decomposed.
Finished compost should be:
At this stage, the compost can safely be used to improve garden soil.
Composting horse manure is a simple and sustainable way to recycle organic material and create valuable compost for your garden or outdoor space. With a manure bin from mestbak.be, collecting and moving manure becomes easier, while also creating the right conditions for efficient composting.
With the right approach, horse manure can be transformed from waste into a useful source of nutrients for plants and soil.
Discover our manure bins at mestbak.be
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