Can I Use Horse Manure for Fertilizer?

Composted Versus Noncomposted

• Composted horse manure fertilizer is more efficient than noncomposted manure. When noncomposted manure is spread directly on the ground, much of the nitrogen content in the fertilizer is washed away by rainfall. Composted horse manure is more stable, releasing nitrogen and other nutrients gradually in a form easily absorbed by plants. Composted horse manure releases nutrients over the course of several years, eventually creating a soil so rich that little fertilizer is required.

Benefits for Your Horse

• The temperatures created when composting horse manure are high enough to kill pathogens such as fungi, viruses and bacteria that can cause equine disease and infections. The high temperatures also kill fly eggs and larvae found in horse manure. As a result, your horse won't be bothered as much by pesky flies.

Convenience

• While noncomposted horse manure can create a highly unpleasant odor, properly composted horse manure fertilizer has very little odor. Composted manure fertilizer is easier to handle and takes up less space, as composting reduces the bulk of the horse manure by as much as 40 to 60 percent. If you have an abundance of composted horse manure, you may be able to sell your excess fertilizer to organic farmers, nurseries or landscapers.

Environmental Benefits

• Soil improved by the addition of composted horse manure fertilizer is loose and aerated, allowing rainfall to be absorbed. When rain falls on noncomposted horse manure, the water often runs into the ground water, where the bacteria may eventually end up in the drinking water. The bacteria in noncomposted horse manure also causes problem for fish and shellfish. While noncomposted horse manure contains coliform bacteria, most of the bacteria in composted horse manure fertilizer are killed during the composting process.

Uses

• Composted horse manure has a variety of applications. Composted horse manure fertilizer can be tilled into your garden or spread around shrubs and trees. Because the nutrients are released slowly, the bacteria support a healthy soil pH and create an ideal environment for supporting earthworms. Composted horse manure fertilizer is also valuable in orchards or vineyards, while thoroughly composted horse manure is appropriate for seed starter or potting soil.