Disposing of horse manure can be a daunting, continuous task. If youve got the patience, one great option is composting horse manure. The process transforms fresh horse manure and bedding into the perfect fertilizer for gardening and farming.
If you dont have enough room to spread your manure on unused fields to dry out, or dont want to have it hauled off, composting might be for you. Composting also reduces the volume of the end product and cuts down on odors—ideal for barns located near residential areas.
Reducing the fly population in your barn starts with managing your manure. To start, you can give your horse SimpliFly Feed-Thru Fly Control to prevent the development of fly larva, including house flies and stable flies, in your horses manure. Composting will also help kill fly larva, but it requires planning and attention to convert manure into a usable compost.
The USDAs National Resources Conservation Service says the following four ingredients are necessary for successful composting:
Horse manure that contains bedding like wood shavings, straw, sawdust or old hay is ideal for composting.
During the composting process, bacteria works with air, horse feces, moisture and a material such as straw or shavings to heat up the pile of manure and break it down. According to the NRCS, the pile will reach a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, which kills off germs and weed seeds within the manure. This process will leave you with organic matter perfectly suited to fertilize plants and crops.
Horse manure can make an excellent organic fertilizer for gardens and fields when aged properly Fresh manure contains pathogens and high nitrogen levels that can damage plants Allowing horse manure to age reduces these risks and unlocks its benefits, But how long does horse manure need to age before it can be safely used?
What Happens During Aging
Fresh horse manure is packed with undigested organic compounds, weed seeds, pathogens like E coli, and nitrogen in forms that can burn plants During aging, beneficial microbes start breaking down the organic matter, heating the pile to at least 140°F. This heat kills weed seeds and pathogens. The nitrogen also converts to more stable organic forms that plants can utilize without damage.
Well-aged manure has a crumbly texture and earthy smell. The pile no longer heats up when turned. At this point the manure is stable, pathogen-free, and ready to enrich gardens.
How Long Should Horse Manure Age?
In general, horse manure should age for a minimum of 6 months before use. Manure containing wood-based bedding like sawdust or wood chips needs longer, at least 1 year, to break down the carbon-rich material.
Several factors impact aging time:
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Bedding Material: Wood bedding is high in carbon and decomposes slower. Straw ages more rapidly.
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Management: Turning and aerating piles speeds aging versus leaving them undisturbed. Active composting can reduce aging to 6-8 weeks.
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Climate: Warm, moist conditions accelerate decomposition. Cold or very dry conditions slow it down.
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Volume: Bigger piles retain heat and moisture better, aiding faster decomposition. Small piles take longer to age sufficiently.
With active composting, horse manure can be ready in as little as 2 months. Without management, aging can take over a year, especially with wood bedding. Checking temperature and texture provides the best gauge for readiness.
Application Rates for Gardens
These guidelines optimize plant growth while avoiding nitrogen overload when applying aged horse manure:
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For flowers, apply 1-3 inches as mulch around plants. It suppresses weeds, retains moisture, and provides slow nutrient release. Fertilize normally early on and supplement later as needed.
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For vegetables, spread compost ≤1 inch deep, tilling it into the top 6 inches of soil. Apply at least 2 months before planting. Fertilize additionally as required.
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Annually, apply no more than 1 pound of compost per square foot of garden space to prevent nitrogen accumulation.
When properly aged and applied at suitable rates, horse manure fertilizes gardens without burning plants or spreading pathogens. Adjust timing and quantities to suit different climates, soils, and crops. Aged manure boosts soil health and plant vigor when integrated into a balanced organic fertilization plan.
Composting Speeds Aging
Actively composting horse manure kick-starts the important aging process that converts raw manure to a stabilized organic fertilizer. Here’s what happens inside a well-managed compost pile:
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1-3 Days: Mesophilic bacteria thrive and heat the pile to 110-120°F.
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3 Days – 3 Weeks: Thermophilic bacteria take over. Temperatures reach 130-170°F, killing pathogens, weeds, and pests.
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3 Weeks – 3 Months: Temperatures gradually drop. Mesophilic bacteria and fungi break down lignin and cellulose.
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3-6 Months: The compost fully stabilizes. With adequate moisture and oxygen through turning, it can now be applied.
Turning provides needed oxygen to fuel biological activity. Monitoring temperature informs when turning is required to maintain aerobic conditions. Turning also mixes in cooler outer layers, regulating the heat.
Key Takeaways
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Horse manure needs to age 6 months minimum before use, 1 year if wood bedding is present.
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Active composting with proper moisture, aeration, and temperature monitoring can reduce aging time to 6-8 weeks.
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Apply aged manure at suitable rates and timing to maximize benefits while avoiding plant damage.
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Aging reduces pathogens, stabilizes nitrogen, and unlocks the fertilizer value of horse manure to enrich garden soil health.
With some simple management, fresh horse manure transforms into an organic fertilizer that nourishes plants and soil. Adequate aging is key to unlocking its benefits while avoiding potential risks. Follow these best practices, and you can turn horse manure into black gold for your garden.
When is it ready?
So how long does it take to compost horse manure? Generally, itll take three to six months for horse manure to turn into compost. The NRCS says this allows fertilizer nutrients to stabilize and weed seeds to be killed.
So how long does it take to compost horse manure? Generally, itll take three to six months for horse manure to turn into compost.
Select a composting location that is easily accessible with your tractor year-round. If you choose an outdoor location, the NRCS says youll want to use a concrete pad with good drainage away from any water sources such as wells, lakes or streams. Ideally, the downhill side will have grass trimmed short to stop runoff. Youll be arranging the manure in long piles known as windrows for composting.
If you choose to compost indoors, you can find designs for compost sheds through NRCS. The ideal shed contains a couple of wooden bins with an opening on one side to allow you to turn the compost from bin to bin—the fact sheet suggests using a front-end loader for this task.
If you dont have a shed, you can make a manure pile in either a three-sided structure or surrounded by round hay bales, covered with a tarp or plastic.
Make sure to chop up large pieces of material such as branches or long hay before adding to your compost pile. You may have to add water to the piles if they get dryer than a “wrung-out sponge” says the NRCS.
A final note: Have your compost tested for fertilizer value before using it on fields and gardens. You want to make sure you know what your composts nutrient values are to avoid over-application.
Composting fact sheet: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1167345.pdf
Find your local NRCS office: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
Don’t forget to turn it
Air and heat need to be circulated to encourage composting, so the piles of manure need to be turned and mixed at least twice during the process. You may want to check the temperature of the pile with a compost thermometer. When the temperature is at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit for three days, it will eliminate most weed seeds. The NRCS says after the pile cools down slightly from the first heating, its time to turn the manure. Make sure to move outside material inward, and vice versa.
When the pile again reaches 145 degrees for three days, its ready to be turned a second time. Youll then let the piles continue to decompose for a few months.
How to Compost Horse Manure Fast?
FAQ
How long should manure sit before using as fertilizer?
Manure that is piled and left alone will decompose slowly. This can take three to four months if conditions are ideal. It can take a year or more if the starting material contains a wide carbon:nitrogen ratio (as is the case when manure contains wood chips).
Can horse manure be used immediately?
Horse manure can be spread onto a field or into a future garden right away. A big problem with horse manure is that it generally is loaded with weed seeds.Feb 15, 2024
How long does it take for horse dung to turn into fertilizer?
If you use compost turner machine for composting, you can get well composted organic horse litter fertilizer in about 20 days. Especially, if you use the horse manure fermentation pot for fermentation, the fermentation will be finished in about 10 days.
Does manure need to be aged?
Fresh manure should not be used since it is considered “hot” and can burn plant roots and leaves. Goat and rabbit manure are often used fresh because they do not burn, but it is still best to age even these manures to decrease the risk of disease.
How long should horse manure be aged?
Some sources suggest it’s fine to use horse manure on the garden after three to six months, but at this age it could still be fairly coarse, caustic and bulky. How long should manure be aged? Properly aged manure improves soil structure, which means better water retention and aeration, essential for healthy plant growth.
How long does horse manure take to mature?
With proper active composting techniques, horse manure can be ready for garden application in as little as 2 months. Without active management, aging can take over a year, especially if high-carbon bedding is used. Monitoring temperature and texture is the best way to determine when the manure is adequately aged.
Can horse manure be used in the garden?
Composted horse manure can also be used in the garden any time of the year. Simply toss it over the garden area and work it into the soil. Composting horse manure is not any different than traditional composting methods. This process does not require any special tools or structures.
How much horse manure should I put in my garden?
Annual application: Apply no more than 1 pound (.5 kg) of compost per square foot (0.1 sq m) of garden space per year. Excess nitrogen can accumulate and damage plants. With proper aging and controlled application rates, horse manure fertilizes gardens effectively without risk of burning plants or spreading pathogens.
Can horse manure be used as a fertilizer?
Use aged manure to boost soil health. Blend it with other organic fertilizers for a complete nutrient profile to feed plants. With some simple diligence to properly age and compost horse manure, it transforms into “black gold” that brings many benefits to gardens and fields. Allowing adequate aging time neutralizes risks associated with raw manure.
How long does manure need to age before planting?
Therefore, I always recommend allowing manure to age for an adequate period before incorporating it into the garden soil. To summarize, the length of time manure needs to age before using it in the garden can range from three to four months to a year or more.