Can You Eat Mushrooms That Grow in Horse Manure?

Mushrooms sprouting up unexpectedly in piles of horse manure can look tempting to foragers searching for free edibles. However, experts strongly warn against eating mushrooms found growing in horse dung. While some mushrooms that thrive in manure are edible, the risks typically outweigh any possible benefits of consuming them.

An Overview of Mushrooms in Manure

Several factors make horse manure an ideal growing medium for mushrooms

• The decomposing organic matter supplies nutrients.

• Manure retains moisture, creating suitable humidity levels.

• Mushroom spores are present in the dung or travel through the air to land on the manure When conditions allow, the spores germinate

Dozens of mushroom species across a range of edibility can thrive in manure:

• Some edible varieties like Agaricus campestris may occasionally occur.

• Numerous inedible and mildly poisonous types can grow.

• Deadly toxic mushrooms like death caps and destroying angels also pop up in dung, though less common.

• Very few picky, habitat-specific species grow directly in manure. Generalist mushrooms that can flourish in various conditions are more prevalent.

Toxicity Risks

The primary reason experts warn against eating unidentified mushrooms growing in manure is the danger of toxicity.

• Several lethal species like the death cap mushroom contain deadly amatoxins. Consuming even a small amount can be fatal.

• Accurately identifying mushrooms takes extensive expertise. Edible species and toxic lookalikes often appear similar to beginners.

• Individual reactions vary. Some mushrooms not normally toxic can sicken or kill susceptible individuals.

• Cooking or blanching provides no protection against toxins. Avoiding consumption when identification is uncertain is the only way to prevent poisoning.

With potential deadliness of some mushroom species, the risks are far too high for amateurs to chance when identification skills are lacking.

Risk of Contamination and Spoilage

Aside from inherent toxicity hazards, other risks arise from eating mushrooms growing unrestrained in manure:

• Bacteria, viruses, and parasites from animal feces can potentially contaminate the mushrooms, increasing the chance of foodborne illness if eaten raw.

• Mold, insect infestations, and bacterial rot are more likely to occur in the warm, moist manure environment. Careful inspection and avoidance of spoiled mushrooms is critical.

• Mushrooms can absorb heavy metals, medications, or other substances if the animal consumed contaminated feed. The horse’s full history is often unknown.

While contamination or spoilage may not always occur, the unsanitary conditions found in manure elevate the risk.

Precautions If Harvesting from Manure

If attempting to collect mushrooms from horse dung, extreme care is necessary:

• Develop professional-level identification skills through formal instruction over multiple seasons. Never rely solely on books. Accurately recognizing every minute identifying characteristic is essential.

• Learn the horse’s full health and dietary history to check for potential contamination risk.

• Meticulously inspect specimens for signs of decay and damage. Even minor bruising can indicate toxicity.

• Start by sampling a small portion and waiting 48 hours before consuming more to check for delayed adverse reactions.

• Utilize all available identification methods such as spore prints to properly ID species. Cross-check field guides and resources.

• Cook mushrooms thoroughly. Save a sample for analysis if illness occurs.

Even with extensive training, misidentifications can occur. Consuming any wild mushrooms carries inherent risks requiring caution.

Alternate Uses

While eating wild manure mushrooms is not recommended, some safer uses include:

• Adding to garden compost piles as a nutritious supplement

• Drawing spore prints for mushroom identification practice

• Using in arts and crafts projects after cooking to remove toxins

• Photographing for nature studies and artistic interest

Foraging Edible Mushrooms Safely

For safe foraging, learn to identify edible mushrooms growing in their natural forest habitats from certified experts.

• Stick to easily recognizable, popular edibles at first like morels and chanterelles.

• Harvest only from pristine environments, never roadsides or questionable areas.

• Use new mesh bags, and wash mushrooms carefully after collecting.

• Start by eating a small portion of a thoroughly cooked sample. Wait 48 hours before consuming more.

While specialists may exercise immense care in examining manure mushrooms, beginners should avoid consumption. Developing skills to recognize edibles in clean habitats is the best approach. With expertise, risks of eating dung-grown mushrooms may possibly be mitigated, but extreme caution is still required. In most cases, admiring their natural beauty and leaving them to play their vital ecological role is the ideal choice.

The Bottom Line

Mushrooms sprouting from manure can appear tempting, but experts strongly advise against eating them. The inherent challenges of identification coupled with risks of toxicity and contamination make consumption potentially dangerous. For beginners in particular, avoidance is strongly recommended, as proper ID skills require extensive formal training over years. While possible with extreme care, eating mushrooms growing unrestrained in horse manure remains a very high-risk activity in all cases.