Horse Manure removal

[TheMan419]

So we have horses at home. Looking for some good way to get rid of their "left overs". So manure, urine and wood shavings used for bedding.

Looking at a spreader. We have some areas we could spread.

Looking at having wast hauler remove. They want $200/mo for a 4 cubic yard dumpster that will be emptied weekly. That does not seem like enough cubic yards.

Have a guy who says he wants "some". Cant give me an idea of how much or how often.

What about burning it? How bad is that gonna smell? Also how do I start the pile on fire? Just light a wood fire and add manure to it? How bad is that for the environment?

Any other thoughts?

 

[Clint S]

Get a spreader and spread it

 

[NorTracNY]

Compost it and put a sign out and you'll find takers.

 

[RPW]

Compost, makes great fertilizer.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

spread it or compost it. We float between 15 and 25 horses and I spread it every couple months with a 200bu spreader. No way I would pay someone to take it off my hands.

 

[zzvyb6]

Compost, makes great fertilizer.

You've heard of sheet happens ? Well Sheet burns, too. You mixture is perfect for burning. No flames, just smolders. Smells like burning cork. A couple of FatWood sticks will get it going, then it will burn for days. What's left is even better fertilizer because all the weed seeds are now 'gone'.

 

[drssg]

I spread ours once a year. That allows it to break down before spreading. I have occasionally loaded it directly into the spreader when the weather is nice, but you don't want to do that in freezing weather.

The $200/month option sounds easiest, but it's more expensive over time. So it comes down to personal preference.

 

[bigtiller]

Put it in a 5 gallon bucket and sell it to this guy for $15 each. He is selling horse manure for $22

1% Organic Horse *DRY* Manure Compost 5 gallon bucket packed & stuffed full ! | eBay

 

[WM75Guy]

Depends on the number of horses and how long they are in the stall. We have 2-4 horses at any given time. Two stalls open out into 1 acre paddocks, the other two stalls do not. Horses are out all day, only up at night. We tried the dumpster route, 4 cubic yard, and it was OK except the wife did not like looking at it and smelling it. Also the truck will eventually cause ruts unless you have a concrete drive all the way up to the dumpster. We ended up with a small Loyal towed spreader behind the Mule. We have to spread manure every other day.

 

[tallyho8]

I compost mine. By putting it in a pile it will naturally compost with no smells and not attracting flies. I turn the pile over with my tractor every few months and let it sit one year before selling it for $35 a pickup truck load on Craigslist. I start a new pile every 4 months and with 6 horses the pile never starts out larger than a small dump truck load of sand. By the time it composts it is less than 1/3 that size.

The only problem with that is it takes me $350 worth of feed, hay and shavings to make a $35 load of compost.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Compost it and sell it at a local farmers market or "organic" market. Call it "organic" and folks will pay crazy money for it.

 

[TractorGuy]

Lots of CL ads around here for free horse manure but seems they all want you to bring a shovel and load it by hand. I wouldn't mind buying some if they just had a loader to put it on my trailer. Hard to believe there are that many horse folks that don't have loaders. Had a number for one guy that was selling composted manure that DID have a loader and dang if I didn't lose the email and his number. I need to quit procrastinating but seems every time I jump on something fast I overlooked some issue I shouldn't have.

 

[ustmd]

We (my wife) have 4 horses and one on the way. We compost the manure. Use the FEL to turn/mix it every few weeks and it is great for the garden and the flower beds.

If you are keeping the pile moist and aerated, it will be hot enough to kill the fly larva and the smell.

 

[tcreeley]

Two horses. We start a new pile every year. We usually have 3 piles going. We like to wait two years before we put the pile on the vegetable garden. Too soon and the un-composted shavings soaks up the nitrogen in the dirt, taking it away from the vegetables. Two years is good. And the pile does shrink over time. I just dumped some in the garden two days ago. Squash just loves to grow in the year old pile.

 

[phiferpharm]

I got good a Mount Poopmore, now I need a spreader that doesn't cost more than my tractor. Any suggestions of a reasonable brand?

 

[TheMan419]

I am thinking the $200/mo route is likely out. I see Craig's list ads for free but as mentioned you have to load. Id be happy to use the FEL to help someone load if they would take it off my hands.

Currently shopping for a spreader. My lord they are expensive when new.

Burning may be the solution I end up with.

Composting is just another chore and I don't need another one of those right now.

 

[tcreeley]

Northern Tool manure spreader - http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200346514_200346514?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Farm%20%2B%20Acreage%20>%20Ag%20Spreaders&utm_campaign=Farm-Tuff&utm_content=143320&gclid=CK_utIDcidQCFduNswod004Bxw

 

[drssg]

I've had good luck with my H&S spreader. Back when I was looking, their prices were lower than other brands of decent quality. I checked for current pricing, and it looks like they are about twice what I paid 13 years ago.
Beaver Valley Supply Company - H & S Manure Spreaders

 

[WM75Guy]

We have a Loyal. It will hold 6 muck buckets without spilling out the back. We tow it with the Mule.

Loyal Manure Spreader, 23 Bushel - For Life Out Here

 

[Streetcar]

Spreaders can be found used also
Wet manure does not burn well