1. Parasites: Horse manure can contain various parasites, such as roundworms, tapeworms, and bot flies, which can infect grazing animals.
2. Bacteria: Fresh manure harbors harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that can cause illness in animals and humans.
3. Nutrients: While manure provides nutrients to the soil, fresh manure can burn plants due to its high nitrogen content. This can lead to poor growth and damage to the pasture.
4. Spores: Fresh manure can contain fungal spores, which can cause respiratory problems in grazing animals, particularly horses.
5. Flies: Fresh manure attracts flies, which can spread diseases and be a nuisance to animals and humans.
How to Minimize the Risks:
* Composting: Composting manure for at least 6 months eliminates most parasites, bacteria, and harmful spores.
* Spread Thinly: Even composted manure should be spread thinly to avoid burning the pasture.
* Don't Use on Young Animals: Never use manure on pastures grazed by young, vulnerable animals.
* Properly Manage Manure: Store manure in a designated area away from grazing areas to prevent contamination.
* Rotation: Rotate grazing areas to reduce the build-up of parasites and bacteria.
Conclusion:
While horse manure can be a valuable fertilizer, spreading fresh manure in a grazing pasture poses significant risks. Composting and responsible manure management are crucial for minimizing risks and ensuring the health of your animals and pasture.