How to Use Manure

Horse manure: an ongoing problem since the beginning of man and horse. Horses continue to poop. There's no stopping it. Just when you have finished scooping the poop, your horse turns, looks right at you, and poops again. Now you find your manure pile is growing overnight, spreading, threatening to take over. Here are some ways to make use of the never-ending supply of manure in your life.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse manure
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Fertilize your garden. This is one of the most common uses for horse manure. Compost your manure and then mix it with your gardening and potting soil in flower beds. Spread it over your garden or croplands. Mound it around tree trunks. The composted manure will not only fertilize, but will deter weed growth and help hold moisture.

    • 2

      Mix it with footing in your arena, round-pen and riding trails to soften and deepen the footing. Who needs bark?

    • 3

      Make organic fly repellent. If you have the room, spread horse manure in a single layer across a large area and turn it a few times. Once it is dry (lightweight and papery), pile it up and burn it to create fly-repelling smoke.

    • 4

      De-ice paddocks, runs and even your driveway. Decomposing manure creates impressive amounts of heat, even in the dead of winter. Dip into the core of your manure pile and spread the toasty-warm remains on inconvenient icy patches.

    • 5

      Fill holes and low spots with manure. Toss manure and even shavings in there and pack it down. Continue to add manure, as it settles, until you have leveled your land.

    • 6

      Share the wealth. Pass your manure unto others. Ask friends if they could use any manure, or support local businesses by donating it to farmers, landscapers or even the parks department.

    • 7

      Market your manure. After you have used manure and donated manure, and you have still more manure, market it. Hotels, resorts and other businesses may be willing to strike up a contract with you and take manure off your hands.

    • 8

      Contact a local manure-removal service. Run an Internet search, or check county listings in your phone book. This usually has a cost attached, but is worth it if you are facing complete manure takeover.