Equestrians invest in their horses’ comfort. From quality feed, bedding, training and care. I invite you to consider your investment in feed and bedding is something that can reward you again and again and it’s right below your nose.
Spring is a great time to get into the habit of turning your manure pile. And if you’re in the mood for new habits I invite you to consider renaming your heap to a compost pile. What we scoop from our pastures, paddocks and trailers is actually a magically balanced blend of nitrogen and carbon and is considered by many successful gardeners black gold.
Collecting your horse’s manure and piling it up is a common chore. The piles range from small loads, managed by a wheelbarrow and shovel, to large heaps that need a tractor to be turned, but the most common pile I see is a heap in the middle of a field. However you make your compost pile, the key is developing the practice of observation and the habit to tend to it as needed.
Turning your piles yearly is a good goal. The spring is a great time to turn the pile and allows you to make use of your aged compost for spring gardening and/or fertilizing your fields. Manure takes time to heat up and break down, the outside of your pile might not look like much but after some time (give a fresh pile a year) if you dig into the middle you can see a rich black compost.
I keep my piles small – about 3 to 4 months of manure per pile with two horses. This means I have a rotating group of piles that can be ready at different times throughout the year. I have a growing family garden and need piles ready at 3 key points in the year.
In late winter we refresh our garden beds with fresh compost. In early spring, I need another load of fresh compost to start my seedlings – I mix compost with vermiculite, coconut coir and sometimes store bought soil to make my own soil blends. In the early fall we plant our farm’s crop of garlic and again we need a compost pile ready to top dress the garden beds before tucking in the garlic cloves for the winter.
If tending to a pile and gardening aren’t for you, I get it! But consider not letting your heap go to waste. Contact your local market gardeners and ask if they want to come get some black gold, put an ad on marketplace or I’ve even heard of people selling their compost on eBay! You might as well get this usable material out into the world!
My favorite thing I do with my fresh horse manure is heat my greenhouse. In February I take a few days of manure and rather than dumping it on my heap I roll my wheelbarrow down the hill to the greenhouse and dump the poop into a 6x5x5 ft wooden bin. The manure generates heat as it breaks down and keeps the greenhouse heated to a minimum of 10C when it’s below 0 outside. Each year I tinker with the system, trying new things and learning from the experience. That really is the key with all of this – try it, learn and try again. Kinda sounds like developing your horsemanship, hey? Life lessons with horses are never far to find!
Content worth your google:
Rodale Gardening Books: Amazing information about composting. Gets into the science and balance of carbon and nitrogen and so many valuable planting and growing tips.
No Dig: Charles Dowding lives in the UK and is an amazing gardener that utilizes a method of gardening called, no dig. Basically you keep adding compost to your soil every year rather than rototilling, and using expensive bagged soil and fertilizer. It’s an empowering journey that teaches us how rich in resources we are without the need for more, more, new, newer. Want to heat your greenhouse using your horse poop too? Check out his video called: A hotbed how-to for propagation undercover, pros and cons
Clever Cowgirl: Check out a straight forward explanation of composting and using horse manure in the video called: Nobody talks about this The MOST important part of owning HORSES!
Rasa Creek Farm: Why not start a garlic farm while you are at it. We did!
—
This article originally appeared in the May 2024 issue of Saddle Up Magazine.
Lindsay Lorraine is a lifelong creative with an extensive background in various forms such as storytelling, graphic design, textiles, project development, gardening and the equestrian industry. She was raised in Alberta, educated in Vancouver, ranched in the interior, and now happily lives in Langley. (she/her/hers)
