Horse Stable Manure Management
Soiled bedding removed with the manure during stall cleaning may account for another 8 to 15 pounds per day of waste. The volume of soiled bedding removed equals almost twice the volume of manure removed but varies widely depending on management practices. So for each stall, about 60 to 70 pounds of total waste material is removed daily. This results in about 12 tons of waste a year per stall with 8.5 tons being manure from a 1,000-pound horse.
The density of horse manure is about 63 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft3). Therefore, 51 pounds of manure would occupy about 0.81 cubic feet. The soiled stall bedding removed with this manure would be about twice this volume, so the total volume of stall waste removed per day per 1,000-pound horse may be estimated as 2.4 ft3. To put all these numbers in perspective, annual stall waste from one horse would fill its 12-foot by 12-foot stall about 6 feet deep (assuming no settling). Plan now for handling this material!
Barn chores include a daily cleanout of manure and soiled bedding, leading to a steady stream of waste to handle. There are several common stall bedding materials and each has different characteristics in handling, field application, suitability to composting, and acceptance for sales. Availability and cost of bedding materials in the stable area will probably have the greatest influence on bedding selection (Tables 1 and 2).
The manure management needs of pastured horses are different from those of stabled horses. The field-deposited manure is beneficial because it serves as a fertilizer. Substantial amounts of manure can accumulate where horses congregate around gates, waterers, favorite shade areas, feeders, and shelters. These areas should be cleaned weekly for better pasture management, parasite control, and to diminish fly breeding.
