Horse Manure as a Mulch

Horses produce great mulch if it is composted right.

An average sized 1000 lb. horse can excrete up to 50 lb. of manure daily, so people with or near horses often compost the manure. Horse manure makes great garden mulch as long as it is composted properly.

Misconception

Horse manure simply placed in a big pile is not ready to be used as garden mulch, according to the University of Massachusetts. Helpful microorganisms need time to grow inside of the manure to make it useful, and smell like soil instead of horse manure.

Temperature

Horse manure needs to reach temperatures of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit in order to kill any insects or parasites inside. But the manure should not go over 160 F or the beneficial microorganisms will die. Use a compost thermometer to monitor temperatures.

Expert Advice

Horse compost piles need to be turned with a pitchfork and monitored so that the manure turns into soil and not slime or dust. Multiple compost bins can heat the manure up faster and make it ready for use faster than a pile.

References

• Pierce County Constervation District: How to Compost and Use Horse Manure
• Washington State University: A Guide to Composting Horse Manure
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst: Composting Horse Manure

Resources

• Penn State Dairy and Animal Science: How Much Manure Does a Horse Produce?
• Ohio State University: Horse Manure Management: The Nitrogen Enhancing System
• University of Illinois: Building Your Compost Pile