1. Efficient Utilization of EquineEfficient Utilization of Equine
ManureManure
Bryan Smith, Clemson Extension ServiceBryan Smith, Clemson Extension Service
Gary Heusner, University of GeorgiaGary Heusner, University of Georgia
John Chastain, Clemson UniversityJohn Chastain, Clemson University

2. Manure Production andManure Production and
ManagementManagement

3. Horse Manure ProductionHorse Manure Production
• Manure – 9.1 tons / 1000 lb / yearManure – 9.1 tons / 1000 lb / year
• Bedding – 1.5 to 2.7 tons / 1000 lb / yearBedding – 1.5 to 2.7 tons / 1000 lb / year
• Total – 11 to 12 tons / 1000 lb / yearTotal – 11 to 12 tons / 1000 lb / year
• Volume – 94 cubic feet / tonVolume – 94 cubic feet / ton
– A typical 6’ pickup bed holds ~60 cubic feetA typical 6’ pickup bed holds ~60 cubic feet
– (Sources: John Chastain, Ph.D.; Hudson, 1994;(Sources: John Chastain, Ph.D.; Hudson, 1994;
NRCS; Wheeler, 2006)NRCS; Wheeler, 2006)

4. Horse Manure NutrientsHorse Manure Nutrients
Fresh ManureFresh Manure
(no bedding)(no bedding) With BeddingWith Bedding
MoistureMoisture 78%78% 54%54%
Total NTotal N 11.2 lb/ton11.2 lb/ton 13.5 lb/ton13.5 lb/ton
PP22OO55 4.6 lb/ton4.6 lb/ton 4.5 lb/ton4.5 lb/ton
KK22OO 9.2 lb/ton9.2 lb/ton 13.5 lb/ton13.5 lb/ton

5. Manure ComparisonManure Comparison
ManureManure
typetype
PANPAN
lb/tonlb/ton
PP22OO55
lb/tonlb/ton
KK22OO
lb/tonlb/ton
FertilizerFertilizer
Equiv.Equiv.
FreshFresh
HorseHorse
11.211.2
(Total N)(Total N)
4.64.6 9.29.2 0.50.5 - 0.2 - 0.4- 0.2 - 0.4
Horse w/Horse w/
BeddingBedding
13.513.5
(Total N)(Total N)
4.54.5 13.513.5 0.60.6 - 0.2 - 0.6- 0.2 - 0.6
DairyDairy 1010 88 1414 0.5 - 0.4 - 0.70.5 - 0.4 - 0.7
BroilerBroiler 4545 6969 4646 2.2 - 3.4 - 2.32.2 - 3.4 - 2.3
LayerLayer 3535 6464 3939 1.7 - 3.2 - 2.01.7 - 3.2 - 2.0

6. Amount of Manure requiredAmount of Manure required
CropCrop N Req’dN Req’d
FreshFresh
ManureManure
WithWith
BeddingBedding
BermudaBermuda
PasturePasture
150 lbs/ ac150 lbs/ ac 13.4 ton/ac13.4 ton/ac 11.1 ton/ac11.1 ton/ac
FescueFescue
PasturePasture
100 lbs/ac100 lbs/ac 8.9 ton/ac8.9 ton/ac 7.4 ton/ac7.4 ton/ac
Annual RyeAnnual Rye 120 lbs/ac120 lbs/ac 10.7 ton/ac10.7 ton/ac 8.9 ton/ac8.9 ton/ac
Not all of this N is available the first year.

7. How Much N is Available?How Much N is Available?
• According to Wheeler and Zajaczkowski (1997),According to Wheeler and Zajaczkowski (1997),
Manure with bedding:Manure with bedding:
PAN = OAPAN = OAff x Organic-Nx Organic-N
• Year one: OAYear one: OAff = 0.2= 0.2
• Year two: OAYear two: OAff = 0.5= 0.5
• Year three: OAYear three: OAff = 0.25= 0.25
• Year four: OAYear four: OAff = 0.13= 0.13
• (Organic-N =~ 0.71 x Total N)(Organic-N =~ 0.71 x Total N)

8. ExampleExample
• Total N = 13.5 lb/tonTotal N = 13.5 lb/ton
• Organic N = 13.5 x 0.71 = 9.6 lb/tonOrganic N = 13.5 x 0.71 = 9.6 lb/ton
• If we apply 10 tons per acre one year:If we apply 10 tons per acre one year:
• 10 tons x 9.6 lb/ton = 96 lb Org-N/acre10 tons x 9.6 lb/ton = 96 lb Org-N/acre
– Year 1 – 0.2 x 96 = 19 lb N/acreYear 1 – 0.2 x 96 = 19 lb N/acre
– Year 2 – 0.5 x 77 = 38.5 lb N/acreYear 2 – 0.5 x 77 = 38.5 lb N/acre
– Year 3 – 0.25 x 38.5 = 9.2 lb N/acreYear 3 – 0.25 x 38.5 = 9.2 lb N/acre
– Year 4 – 0.13 x 29.3 = 3.8 lb N/acreYear 4 – 0.13 x 29.3 = 3.8 lb N/acre
• 90.5 lbs of N potentially utilized – about 67% of90.5 lbs of N potentially utilized – about 67% of
total N over a 4 year periodtotal N over a 4 year period (including 20 lb(including 20 lb
ammonium nitrate the first year)ammonium nitrate the first year)

9. Limited N AvailabilityLimited N Availability
• With only 20% of the N available the firstWith only 20% of the N available the first
year we need to think of managementyear we need to think of management
• Supplementing with 34-0-0 is the obviousSupplementing with 34-0-0 is the obvious
choicechoice
• Manure provides organic matter and someManure provides organic matter and some
of the crop N requirementof the crop N requirement

10. Supplementing with FertilizerSupplementing with Fertilizer
(Bermuda Pasture, 10 tons/acre manure applied)(Bermuda Pasture, 10 tons/acre manure applied)
YearYear
N fromN from
ManureManure
lbs/acrelbs/acre
N req’dN req’d
from Fert.from Fert.
lbs/acrelbs/acre
34-0-034-0-0
requiredrequired
lbs/acrelbs/acre
Year 1Year 1 19 org. +19 org. +
20 am.20 am.
111111 326326
Year 2Year 2 38.538.5 111.5111.5 328328
Year 3Year 3 9.29.2 140.8140.8 414414
Year 4Year 4 3.83.8 146.2146.2 430430

11. Supplementing with FertilizerSupplementing with Fertilizer
(Bermuda Pasture)(Bermuda Pasture)
• To provideTo provide 150 lb/acre N150 lb/acre N we would need towe would need to
applyapply 441 lb/acre of 34-0-0441 lb/acre of 34-0-0 each year withouteach year without
manuremanure
• Over 4 years, aOver 4 years, a singlesingle 10 ton per acre10 ton per acre
application of horse manure hasapplication of horse manure has savedsaved (90.5 /(90.5 /
0.34 =)0.34 =) 266 pounds of 34-0-0266 pounds of 34-0-0, or about 15%, or about 15%
• IfIf we can apply 20 tons of manure per acre towe can apply 20 tons of manure per acre to
the bermuda, we can save 30% on our 34-0-0the bermuda, we can save 30% on our 34-0-0
costscosts

12. Nitrogen Available from MultipleNitrogen Available from Multiple
Year ApplicationsYear Applications
(10 tons per acre per year, bermuda pasture)(10 tons per acre per year, bermuda pasture)
Year 1Year 1 Year 2Year 2 Year 3Year 3 Year 4Year 4 TotalTotal Lb 34-0-0Lb 34-0-0
NeededNeeded
19+2019+20 ------ ------ ------ 3939 326326
38.538.5 19+2019+20 ------ ------ 77.577.5 213213
9.29.2 38.538.5 19+2019+20 ------ 86.786.7 186186
3.83.8 9.29.2 38.538.5 19+2019+20 90.590.5 175175

13. Multiple Year CautionsMultiple Year Cautions
• After 4 years the manure would be providingAfter 4 years the manure would be providing
approximately 90 lbs of nitrogen each yearapproximately 90 lbs of nitrogen each year
(saving 266 lb/ac 34-0-0 per year)(saving 266 lb/ac 34-0-0 per year)
• Applying 10 tons of manure per acre for 4 yearsApplying 10 tons of manure per acre for 4 years
is quite a bit of organic matteris quite a bit of organic matter
• You may find the 10 ton per acre rate forYou may find the 10 ton per acre rate for
multiple years, even though beneficial from amultiple years, even though beneficial from a
nitrogen standpoint, is impractical due to loadingnitrogen standpoint, is impractical due to loading
on the pastureon the pasture

14. Other Nutrients AppliedOther Nutrients Applied
Fresh Manure (10 tons/acre)Fresh Manure (10 tons/acre)
CropCrop
PP22OO55
AppliedApplied
lb/acrelb/acre
PP22OO55
Req’dReq’d
lb/acrelb/acre
KK22OO
AppliedApplied
lb/acrelb/acre
KK22OO
Req’dReq’d
lb/acrelb/acre
BermudaBermuda
PasturePasture
4646 4040
(0-80)(0-80)
9292 4040
(0-80)(0-80)

15. Other Nutrients AppliedOther Nutrients Applied
Manure with Bedding (10 tons/acre)Manure with Bedding (10 tons/acre)
CropCrop
PP22OO55
AppliedApplied
lb/acrelb/acre
PP22OO55
Req’dReq’d
lb/acrelb/acre
KK22OO
AppliedApplied
lb/acrelb/acre
KK22OO
Req’dReq’d
lb/acrelb/acre
BermudaBermuda
PasturePasture
4545 4040
(0-80)(0-80)
135135 4040
(0-80)(0-80)

16. Complications – C:N RatioComplications – C:N Ratio
• Horse manure has a high C:N ratioHorse manure has a high C:N ratio
– Fresh manure – C:N ratio = 19Fresh manure – C:N ratio = 19
– Bedded Manure – C:N ratio = 20 to 50Bedded Manure – C:N ratio = 20 to 50
• High C:N ratios (above 12) willHigh C:N ratios (above 12) will immobilizeimmobilize
nitrogennitrogen into organic forms – unavailableinto organic forms – unavailable
to the plantsto the plants
• Fresh horse manure makes NFresh horse manure makes N unavailableunavailable
to the cropto the crop

17. Crop StuntingCrop Stunting
• Soil microbes use soil N to break down theSoil microbes use soil N to break down the
bedding carbonbedding carbon
• This results in crop stunting or reducedThis results in crop stunting or reduced
yieldyield
• Adding 10 lbs of 34-0-0 per ton helpsAdding 10 lbs of 34-0-0 per ton helps
alleviate the problem, before or afteralleviate the problem, before or after
spreadingspreading

18. Composting Horse ManureComposting Horse Manure

19. CompostingComposting
• Most horse manure has the optimum C:NMost horse manure has the optimum C:N
ratio for composting (25-30)ratio for composting (25-30)
• May need to add nitrogen in some casesMay need to add nitrogen in some cases
• May need to add a bulking agent for voidMay need to add a bulking agent for void
spaces for aerationspaces for aeration

20. Why Compost?Why Compost?
• Provides a stable, low-odor productProvides a stable, low-odor product
• Does not tie up N in the soilDoes not tie up N in the soil
• Rich in organic matterRich in organic matter
• Composting kills pathogens and weedComposting kills pathogens and weed
seedsseeds
• Composting kills parasite eggsComposting kills parasite eggs

21. Compost DisadvantagesCompost Disadvantages
• Only about 12% of the Organic-N isOnly about 12% of the Organic-N is
mineralized for plant usemineralized for plant use
• PP22OO55 is 25% to 40% available (instead ofis 25% to 40% available (instead of
80% to 100% available in fresh manure)80% to 100% available in fresh manure)
• May need some facilityMay need some facility
• Needs turning & labor for high qualityNeeds turning & labor for high quality
• Market?Market?

22. Courtesy Dr. Gary Heusner, University of Georgia

23. No. of stallsNo. of stalls
No. ofNo. of
binsbins
LengthLength
of binsof bins
(feet)(feet)
No. ofNo. of
postsposts
No. &No. &
length oflength of
fence rollsfence rolls
1 to 31 to 3 11 1818 88 One 50’ rollOne 50’ roll
3 to 53 to 5 11 3030 1212 One 75’ rollOne 75’ roll
66 22 1818 1616 Two 50’Two 50’
rollsrolls
7 to 87 to 8 22 3030 2424 Two 75’Two 75’
rollsrolls
99 33 1818 2424 Three 50’Three 50’
rollsrolls
Courtesy Dr. Gary Heusner, University of Georgia

24. ReferencesReferences
• Chastain, J.P. 2007. “Equine WasteChastain, J.P. 2007. “Equine Waste
Management Issues and Opportunities”Management Issues and Opportunities”
presentation. Clemson University.presentation. Clemson University.
• Heusner, G.L. 2007. “Managing Mount (Horse)Heusner, G.L. 2007. “Managing Mount (Horse)
Manure” presentation. University of Georgia.Manure” presentation. University of Georgia.
• Hudson, L. 1994. Horses – Manure ManagementHudson, L. 1994. Horses – Manure Management
(LL 53). Clemson University Extension(LL 53). Clemson University Extension
• James, R.E. 2003. Horse Manure Management”James, R.E. 2003. Horse Manure Management”
The Nitrogen Enhancement System (AGF-212-The Nitrogen Enhancement System (AGF-212-
03), Ohio State University Extension.03), Ohio State University Extension.

25. ReferencesReferences
• Composting Horse Manure, North Carolina StateComposting Horse Manure, North Carolina State
University Extension.University Extension.
• NRCS, AWNFH. Chapter 4.NRCS, AWNFH. Chapter 4.
• Wheeler, E.F, and J.S. Zajaczkowski. 1997.Wheeler, E.F, and J.S. Zajaczkowski. 1997.
Horse Stable Manure Management (G-97). PennHorse Stable Manure Management (G-97). Penn
State University Extension.State University Extension.
• Wheeler, E.F. 2006. Horse Stable Riding ArenaWheeler, E.F. 2006. Horse Stable Riding Arena
Design. Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Victoria,Design. Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Victoria,
Australia.Australia.

26. Bryan Smith
Clemson Extension Service
219 West Laurens Street
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-2514 ext 112
wsmth@clemson.edu
http://www.clemson.edu/camm
Contact InformationContact Information