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any experts on stable management?
I am boarding my horses and the property owner has come up with a grand idea of manure management.The manure we clean out of our stalls is now tossed into the arena where we ride. (outdoor arena)I can't find any definite hazards because no one has ever been smart enough to do this before. Please anyone help, I am up to my knees in manure!( or I should say my horse is up to his knees in manure) Stephanie

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $50

Why do you put in the arena? I have had horses of my own and am just wondering why you do this.

I can suggest some alternatives for you after I get your response.

Reply to Tammy Falkner's Post: Hello Tammy-
Let me be more plain. I was a bit sarcastic in my first request.I board my horses at Johns stables. I clean my own stalls and manure I dump manure in a designated area. John is now taking that manure when it is still fresh and distributing it in the arena. John is not a horse person and I do not approve of the manure management. I am having trouble locating specific health hazards that occur because of John's 'novel' idea. His reasoning is that the horses will break up the droppings and turn it to dirt. I want to complain to vector control but need specific health risks to human and horse before I write to them.
Thank You for offering help.Stephanie

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on July 7 2005 at 12:03 AM

Hello

Hope this helps:

Horse Manure

Horse manure harbours the larvae and eggs of parasitic worms. Very high temperatures are required to kill the larvae and eggs in the much heap. On permanent pasture horse manure may be spread in the autumn and left for the rain to wash in over the winter, however the muck will make the grass unpalatable for the horse to eat over the winter. This method is only suitable in the horse is to be stabled over the winter and the paddock left fallow (unused). It is also advisable to graze cattle or sheep on the paddock before turning the horse out.
http://www.newrider.com/Library/Misc_Tips/feeding_grassland.html

http://www.californiastatehorsemen.com/enviro-risk.htm

The stables I board my horse at doesn't put their manure in the arena. Even in the corrall area (separate from the pasture), they shovel it into a big pile to keep it away from the horses. Then a local farmer comes and takes it away.

Kerry

Horse manure does carry parasites and other nasties but most are not transmittable to people. So this is not a big concern. Of the ones that can affect people, they do not have the same effects as they do in horses. You might see some skin irritation but you won't normally see parasitic remains in stool, etc.

I do have a better solution for you though. Some of the larger feed stores will pick up your discarded manure and give you a small credit towards a feed purchase. I know that Southern States in our area does it.

I would approach the stable owner more from an economical standpoint that a health standpoint. You have to make it better for him NOT to put it where he's putting it.

Gardeners and nurseries can always use manure so this is another alternative.

Does this help? If not, let me know and I'll try to come up with more.

Reply to Kerry's Post: kerry
thank you for your reply. Isnt it crazy to put manure in a riding arena?I accepted a different answerand was going to send you 5. but the system won't allow me to. Have a great warm season with your horse!
Stephanie

Reply to Tammy Falkner's Post: Excellent and intellegent solution.
I will see what I can do on this angle.
I live in the mountains so the suppliers won't be interested. But we have a huge gardening club,I'll bet they would use some fertilizer.
I just have to convince John to let it age first.
Thanks for your time . Stephanie

Most gardeners will take it if it has not yet aged and they will do it themselves. They like to get it up to a certain temp, etc.

You can also use a manure spreader and spread it back over your pasture as fertilizer for the grass. It costs a little to get the spreader but it works. You just have to keep your horses wormed or you risk reinfestation from parasites.

Don't forget to accept an answer if my ideas were helpful to you.

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Reply to Tammy Falkner's Post: Hi Tammy-Payment was sent via paypal, echeck. It will take a few days. thanks a bunch-Stephanie

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