A pet is a highly vital component of many people’s families, and having one in your life is extremely beneficial. Most people, on the other hand, automatically think of dogs or cats when they think of pets. Horses, on the other hand, are fantastic pets with which you may form great bonds. They are, among other things, incredibly nice, lively, and intelligent, and make excellent company.
The Benefits Of Keeping A Horse
Horses Are Beautiful Per Definition
Horses are the ideal pets because they are so breathtakingly gorgeous. Even though horses might be rather large, there is something lovely and delicate about their look. As a result, when you have a horse rushing around, you’ll probably be unable to comprehend exactly how powerful but beautiful they are; they truly are a sight to behold!
Horses Are Extremely Low-Maintenance Animals.
Horses are also extremely low-maintenance compared to other forms of pets. Of course, you’ll still have to look after your horse on a regular basis, but they’re quite self-sufficient creatures. So, in order to keep your horse happy, you won’t have to spend every minute of every day with them. As long as you provide your horse the love, respect, and care he or she deserves, they will revere the ground you walk on, which is why horses make such wonderful pets!
Horses Live For A Long Life
Thousands of individuals see horses as highly valuable friends in a society where the majority of people conceive of a companion pet as a cat or a dog. Companionship, therapy, leisure, and sport are just a few of the numerous advantages of owning a horse. Horse ownership may be extremely gratifying if the obligations of ownership are well considered.
Horses have a long lifetime, which is another advantage of having them as pets. Stabled horses typically live for more than 20 years, and even longer if well cared for.
Horses Are Quite Simple To Manage
Horses are quick to pick up new skills and rapidly understand how to be controlled. They will rapidly become sensitive to instruction with proper training and consistent care. A mare or pony, rather than a stallion, would be a better choice for a family pet because stallions are more strong-willed and better suited to breeding than as pets.
Horses Are Easy To Feed
Although most people believe that a huge animal such as a horse requires more care, they are actually quite easy to feed and keep healthy since they are not finicky. Grass is the greatest meal for any horse, although it can be supplemented with hay if grass is scarce.
Horses May Be A Lot Of Fun To Care For.
Brushing a horse’s coat on a regular basis will bring out its natural lustre. Rather than being a chore, this may frequently be converted into a pleasurable experience. Even the most difficult tasks, such as bathing or foot washing, may be made enjoyable. Whatever work has to be done, it’s all part of the fun of having and caring for a pet.
Horses Are A Lot Of Joy To Be Around
How many pets can carry you for miles on their backs, through routes and into places you’d never go? Horses are entertaining to be around, and owning one as a companion pet will provide hours of entertainment for children. Horses can be loving, making the “companion” aspect of your connection with your horse even more delightful.
While owning a horse comes with a lot of responsibility, it can also provide a lot of joy and happiness to individuals and families, while also bringing people closer to the joys of life via the ownership of a loyal companion pet.
Conclusion
Overall, there are several advantages to owning a horse as a pet. Even more, there are a thousand more reasons why horses are the ideal pets, and the ones listed above are simply the most important ones! The only thing you need to remember is that horses need to be treated with the highest respect, and if you remember that, they will be the best friends you could ever have!
Horses are without a doubt one of humanity’s oldest friends. Horses were mainly tamed and utilised for transportation or labour hundreds of years ago. Horse populations have declined in recent years, but they remain popular.
As a horse enthusiast, you have over 350 breeds to pick from across the world. However, there are five distinct breeds and five broad horse categories that stand out and grab the hearts of horse enthusiasts worldwide. These horses are known for their versatility and pleasant personalities. Depending on your requirements, each variety has its own set of capabilities. A horse will set you back a few hundred dollars, so choose wisely. Here are ten of the most well-known horses.
1. American Quarter Horse
The American quarter horse is one of the most popular and oldest horse breeds in North America. The popularity of the breed derives from its numerous good qualities, such as gentleness, adaptability, attractiveness, speed, agility, and loyalty. Quarter horses are appropriate for all levels of riders and owners since they are sociable and easy to teach. They’ve been race horses, ranch horses, and family pets, among other things. They have a robust structure and come in a variety of hues, the most common of which being sorrel (brownish red). They may weigh anything from 950 to 1,200 pounds. They can reach a maximum size of 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches). They have a muscular build, a deep chest, and a tiny head with a broad forehead and a flat profile. They have a 25-year lifespan.
2. Arabian Horse
Thousands of years have passed since the Arabian horse was created. It has long been a popular breeding horse due to its stunning appearance and calm temperament. Almost every light horse breed has benefited from the grace, energy, and intelligence of Arabians. Many pony and warmblood breeds may trace their origins back to the athletic Arabian. They may weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds. They reach a maximum size of 14 hands (56 inches) to 16 hands (64 inches). They have a slim, compact body with a tiny, wedge-shaped head and a long, arching neck. They have a 30-year lifespan.
3. Thoroughbred Horse
Thoroughbreds are North America’s most popular racing horses. This breed is noted for its agility, speed, and enthusiasm, and is classified as a “hot-blooded” horse. It’s a versatile horse that excels in a variety of equestrian disciplines outside racing, including dressage and jumping. Alternatively, it may just exist as a companion animal for pleasure riding. Thoroughbreds may be anything from 15 hands (60 inches) to 17 hands tall (68 inches). The majority of them are about 16 hands (64 inches) tall. They weigh between 1,000 and 1,200 pounds on average. Thoroughbreds are available in every hue of solid equine coat. Bay, brown, chestnut, black, or grey are the most common colours. Coat patterns with more than one hue are often overlooked by breed registries.
4. Appaloosa Horse
Horses with spots have existed for millennia. The Appaloosa is one such spotted horse breed that has captured the hearts of horse enthusiasts for ages. Appaloosas are recognised for being kind, sociable, and devoted friends in addition to their remarkable beauty. They have a strong desire to please, making them an excellent horse breed for equestrians of all levels of expertise. The average height of an Appaloosa horse is 14 hands (56 inches) to 15 hands (60 inches), however some can be a little taller. It weighs between 950 and 1,200 pounds on average. Red roan, blue roan, bay roan, grey, palomino, chestnut, cremello/perlino, grulla, dun, buckskin, black, brown, dark bay, or bay are some of the Appaloosa’s basic colours. Bald, blaze, snip, stripe, and star are some of the facial hues and patterns. Eel, pastern, ankle, half-pastern, coronet, stocking, half-stocking, and lightning markings can all be seen on the legs.
5. Morgan Horse
Morgan horses are one of the most popular horse breeds because they are kind and adaptable. It’s known as “the horse that picks you” since it’s a very cooperative breed that loves to please its owners. The Morgan is a versatile tool that may be used in almost any scenario. It is also very simple to maintain. Morgan horses may be handled by equestrians of all abilities, including youngsters. Morgan horses are smaller than many other full-size horse breeds, standing between 14 and 15 hands (56 and 60 inches) tall. Because there is no set size for horses, they might be shorter or taller. Morgans weigh between 900 and 1,000 pounds on average. Morgan horses come in a variety of equine hues. Dark, solid hues, such as bay, black, and chestnut, are common. However, some breeders specialise in creating Morgans in unusual colours such as palomino, pinto, grey, dun, roan, and others. This element of the Morgan’s look has no recognised breed standard.
6. Warmblood Horse
Warmblood refers to a group of breeds with unique personalities. They blend the characteristics of “hot-blooded” horses like Thoroughbreds with the placid attitude of “cold-blooded” breeds. Warmbloods are popular for sports activities because they are hefty and sprint well. Warmbloods have a big population all over the world as a result of mixed breeding. The population is projected to be in the range of 840,000 people. As a result of inbreeding, their numbers are gradually increasing. Warmbloods are prevalent throughout Europe, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands. Dressage and competitive activities are the most common uses for them.
7. Shetland Pony
The Shetland Pony is a tiny horse with a height of 71 to 107 cm. This breed is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent horse breeds, and it is frequently employed in trick training.
Despite their little size, they excel in equestrian activities. The horse is a fantastic family horse since it may be ridden by children under the age of sixteen. Shetland Ponies may live for up to 30 years. Over 100,000 ponies are kept on the Shetland Islands, with the finest kinds being preserved there.
Due to the severe regions in which they originated, the ponies evolved into robust creatures. Because of their wide bodies and thick coats, they can endure harsh winters. Families frequently keep them as pets.
8. Clydesdale
The Clydesdale is one of America’s most well-known cold-blooded horses. This Scottish breed is tall and strong, making it an excellent choice for farming. They are ideal for novice riders and families because of their calm and trainable character. With a population of fewer than 5,000 horses worldwide, this breed is not very prevalent. In America, however, the number of Clydesdales has steadily grown over time. This breed thrives mostly in farmlands and pastures as a typical draught horse.
9. Gaited horses
Horses that have been selectively bred for a smooth ride or ambling stride are known as gaited horses. These horses have a four-beat movement and travel at a medium speed. For elderly riders, those with joint difficulties, and anybody else looking for a non-bouncy ride, breeds including the Tennessee walking horse, Kentucky mountain saddle horse, Icelandic horse, and paso fino are popular alternatives. One thing that all gaited breeds have in common is that they are strong, reasonable mounts that don’t ask too much of the rider. Some horses with natural gaits, particularly those with lateral ambling gaits like pace and stepping, may struggle to learn to canter. You’ll probably need a gaited trainer to assist your horse learn to canter if he’s laterally inclined. The majority of gaited horses have a high-headed appearance, with their heads positioned higher on their shoulders than on their backs. Compared to racehorses trained for speed, gaited horses are more commonly employed for pleasure riding and driving.
10. Andalusian Horse
The Andalusian is a magnificent, strong horse that originated in southern Spain. This breed is noted for its graceful mane and strong activity levels. It’s a hot-blooded horse known for dressage rings and parades due to its very nimble temperament. Andalusians are known for their agility and stamina, making them ideal candidates for long-distance running contests. In the wars of Spain’s history, the Andalusian played an important part. Due to their tranquilly, they are housed on farmlands in preparation for competitive events.
Which Breed Of Horse Is Best For You?
Beginners should avoid untrained and energetic horses in general; they can be challenging for even experienced equestrians. The American Quarter Horse is a breed that may be too exuberant for someone who has never owned a horse before. Similarly, Andalusian horses’ agility may make them difficult to handle for novices. Exceptions exist, as with any breed, and it all boils down to the individual horse’s age, experience, training, and attitude.
Conclusion
Horses are still one of the most popular pets among people. They can be used for recreational riding, competitive sports, or simply for pleasure. For each of these activities, there is a suitable horse breed that you may choose based on your requirements.
Different breeds have distinct personalities and qualities that set them apart. Before opting to invest in a popular horse breed, it’s important for a horse enthusiast to carefully consider all of these aspects.
Have you ever considered different options for your horse’s bedding? Would you want to test with a less messy and simpler to keep in your barn and shed? Maybe you’re looking to improve your compost pile and want to discover how horse bedding affects that?
It’s critical to choose the proper sort of stall bedding for your horse’s health, comfort, and safety. There are several options available, ranging from classic straw and wood shavings to modern alternatives like rubber mats, making it difficult for horse owners to choose. Coconut Bedding is one of the natural and safest bedding options you may choose.
Whatever type of bedding you choose, it must keep your horses warm, dry, secure, and healthy.
There are various equine materials available. Before choosing the bedding you have to check the criteria for selecting the finest horse bedding for you and your horse. In prior to avoiding any mishaps in the near future, let us take primary measures before preparing them a bed.
Coco bedding is made of 100% natural, biodegradable and environment-friendly, coconut coir husks, that far outperforms conventional material. Derived from coconut shells, this renewable material is soft and spongy. The fibrous material acts as insulators and offers a cushion- like comfort. The powdery peat material is a super absorbent and absorbs all the urine, lasts longer and emits less odor. We recommend EcoBed Equine Bedding is a highly comfortable, eco-friendly bedding. EcoBed is Safe, light weight, non-dust, allergen free, 100% naturally driven bed from finely Cultured Coconut Husk.
Advantages:
Holds up to five times of its weight in urine.
Cellulose structure traps the stringy ammonia odor in the urinated bed.
Used bedding can be composted and reused in garden and landscaping.
Disadvantages:
May attract mites and bugs over time
Straw
For mares and young foals, clean straw is ideal. Some horses may consume straw bedding, which can be an issue if your horse is on a diet. Oat straw is not only more absorbent than wheat straw, but it is also more delicious. Any straw you use should be free of mould and dust. Saturated straw is difficult to clear out, and separating the manure from the clean bedding can take a long time, slowing down the cleaning process. A box stall should be appropriately bedded with two bales. During cold weather or in preparation for foaling, you may wish to add more.
Advantages:
It is inexpensive.
It looks great and gives off a natural vibe.
It decomposes into wonderful garden manure.
Disadvantages:
It causes allergic reactions in certain horses.
Some horses eat this bedding, which is not good.
Wood Pallets
Wood pellets are wood shavings that have been compressed and dried. Cleaning stalls using wood pellets, which break down into fluffy, absorbent wood shavings, is simpler for many individuals, and there is less waste bedding. The cost may be higher at first than wood shavings, but because there is so much less waste, the cost may be balanced out. The pellets appear hard and unappealing, yet a squirt from the water hose transforms them into fluffy bedding.
Advantages:
This type of bedding has a high absorption capacity.
Composting without dust is faster than shavings or straw.
It is completely dust free and eco-friendly bedding option.
Disadvantages:
When in pellet form, it might be slick.
When putting down the bedding, you’ll need to add water, which takes time.
ShreddedPaper
Shredded paper is an excellent option if your horse chews his bedding. It isn’t dusty, however it is possible that the inks will cause skin allergies. Because paper is so absorbent, it will easily wick away moisture. It also decomposes fast, allowing your manure mound to decrease as it dries and decomposes.
Advantages:
It is affordable.
Dust-free and unpalatable – an excellent alternative for horses with allergies.
It creates a warm bed.
Wrapped bales are simple to handle and store since they are clean.
Disadvantages:
It’s important to keep an eye on the bed to make sure it doesn’t get too wet.
Easily blown around, resulting in an unkempt appearance.
Horses sleep on hard surfaces in their natural form and do not require a soft and comfortable bed, making rubber mats perfect for use in stables. They can save time and effort while mucking out by providing a strong yet comfortable surface with good absorption and cushioning. Rubber mats can be used alone or in conjunction with other bedding. Rubber mats, when used on their own, are unsightly and offer little to prevent a horse from getting cast. We recommend Stable Mats, They are of 100% high quality rubber mats obtained by re-vulcanization and recycling.
Advantages:
Protects against capped hocks, etc. by providing a comparably soft non-slip foundation.
It’s simple to clean up and can be hosed down.
Disadvantages:
It’s not aesthetically pleasing.
In the winter, it might look chilly and dry slowly.
Hemp
Hemp is non-allergenic, biodegradable, and dust-free than traditional beddings, thereby enhancing stable conditions and preserving horses’ and owners’ respiratory systems. They also claim to have greater odour absorption, faster breakdown, and more absorbency. Hemp’s greater thermal rating may be beneficial to those who live in colder regions, since it keeps horses warm while they sleep.
Advantages:
It is high absorbent and dust free material.
Lightweight and simple to muck out.
It quickly decomposes into fine compost.
Wrapped bales are simple to handle and store since they are clean.
Disadvantages:
Relatively Expensive
Wood Shavings
Shavings are a popular bedding option for horses. To pull dung out of the shavings without removing too much bedding, a special manure fork is required. As you spread the bedding, keep an eye out for wood splinters. Black walnut shavings can create serious issues, therefore softwood shavings are preferred. If you’re buying shavings from a local woodworker or timber mill, make sure you know what kind you’re getting. In a stall, about four inches of bedding makes it pleasant. You can use less stall mats if you utilise them.
Advantages:
It’s readily available in local store.
Easy to handle and store.
Disadvantages:
This bedding material is difficult to dispose.
Wet shavings causes ammonia.
Conclusion
Getting the appropriate bedding may be a trial and error affair. If you don’t like one type of bedding and want to try something else. Coconut Bedding is highly comfortable, eco-friendly bedding and it’s completely safe for your horse. The modern Stable Mats are 100% high quality rubber mats and non–slippery, non-abrasive, yielding a stable footing for the living. Whatever bedding you pick for your horses, it must keep them warm, dry, safe, and healthy.
An important role in making horse ownership safer for the environment and more cost effective for you is played by Manure and Bedding, both have useful “after life”. Some of the precious resources are our healthy soil and clean water which are fragile and as livestock owners we must take care of them. We can turn a waste into a resource and as there are many ways to reuse livestock manure and stall bedding.
Composted bedding can be reused in your horse stalls as an effective and economical alternative to wood shavings or pellets. From the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE) Program, the Snohomish Conservation District received funding to test composted bedding for horses and worked with several commercial equine facilities in Snohomish County.
We found that stable bedding with wood shavings can recover up to 80 percent of stall waste through composting and re-use, while most stable bedding with wood pellets recover up to 50 percent. For reusing bedding, the compost can recover 100% of stall waste in vessel systems, which represents a significance in reducing the cost of disposal and new bedding.
As compared to shavings or pellets, composted bedding is darker in colour and is slightly moist. It is a very good absorbent and is light and fluffy with a pleasant earthy smell. Compost significantly reduces dust and allergens in the stall as compared to wood shavings or pellets and it is non-acidic. Horses with skin and respiratory allergies also respond well to the composted bedding, and have shown reduced symptoms.
Managing Used Horse Bedding Material
On a daily basis, all stalls and paddocks need to be cleaned. After removing manure and urine-soaked bedding, wet areas should be cleaned with lime or another sanitizing, odor-eliminating treatment and to ensure safe, clean, dry and odor-free conditions, fresh bedding should be added. You don’t want to reduce stall bedding at the expense of your horse’s health, but you should consider the horse’s needs.
By nature, horses are used to sleeping on hard surfaces like the ground. To sleep comfortably, horses don’t need a huge cushion of shavings or straw. For many horse owners, rubber stall mats work very well. Rubber stall mats are healthy for hooves and can be cleaned easily. A stall mat gives a firm, level surface which allows you to scoop up manure and wet bedding easily. You can minimize bedding use and the amount of stall waste that has to be disposed of by using disposable bedding such as shavings or straw only on the places where the horse urinates frequently. Composting is the most productive and environmentally sound way to dispose of used bedding.
Through composting, the total mass of manure and bedding can be reduced by about one-quarter to one-half i.e., six tons of manure can be converted to 1.5 to 3 tons of finished compost which can be used in greenhouses, gardens, and nearly anywhere fertilizer would be used. Provide temporary storage for the waste in large, covered receptacles and arrange to have it hauled off on a regular basis or choose compost used bedding.
Uses of disposed bedding
1. Improve soil health:
To improve the health of your soil and pasture you can use your compost manure with disposed bedding material. Nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc., which are consumed by animals, end up in their manure. For as long as people have been farming, livestock manure of all types has been used to build soil and fertilize crops. The disposed bedding makes it at its best. For the growth of plants, these nutrients are essential, if they end up in our streams, lakes or well water, they can cause serious problems for all of us. The best way to improve long-term soil health, and invest is by adding organic materials like compost and manure to your soil. Organic matter provides food for soil microbes and improves soil structure and workability.
2. Best from waste:
Gardeners and landscapers’ value composted horse manure as a high-quality soil amendment. The manure must be well composted and weed seedless and contain minimal bedding material. Avoid too much bedding mixed with manure. It makes compost more mulch than soil builder. This can be unappealing for gardeners.
Proper manure management and disposal bedding material serves an important role in keeping the farm functioning at its best. It also helps to keep horses healthy, clean the surrounding area and a thriving farm. We shall be well on our way to sustainable horse keeping when we can regard manure as a valuable resource rather than a waste.
3. Environmental Benefits:
Properly managed manure can be a valuable resource on a farm. Manure helps to improve soil quality and provide nutrients to crops and can be used as fertilizer for crops. Manure contains organic matters. It improves water holding capacity of soil. The purpose of manure management is to keep a monitor on horse manure to make sure it doesn’t have any negative effects on the environment.
In this article, we are discussing the better management of manure and reducing the risk of pollution caused by manure, bedding and feed wastes.
Composting is one such great method that produces a stable-sustainable-storable product that inhibits pathogens growth, and conserves nutrient quality in it.
The Management of composting horse manure includes Composting Mix, Maintaining, Monitoring and Testing of Manure and Compost, Environmental Issues, Compost Use and Costs.
Composting Mix
The very first recommendation is to get the right composition for composting mix. The mix needs to comprise an optimal level of 3 main factors that depict the worth of the end product.
The amount of manure, feedstock and bedding in the compost pile are thoroughly mixed. The Moisture, Air flow and C:N ratio plays a critical role in mixing compilation.
Maintaining
The composting can be done, both in Open pile and Closed shed as per the care taker’s wish. Building a shed for composting makes it easy for handling horse manure, pleasant surroundings and there will be less chance of nutrient runoff and leaching issues.
It is preferred to make a Buffered zone forcompost maintenance, isolated from residential and water resources. It helps prevent water pollution due to leachate, runoff and air pollution from foul odor.
The buffer zone is subject to compliance with local ordinances and is recommended to be 150 feet from living quarters and the bottom elevation should be above water level or installed on concrete slabs.
Open Pile– Like a free-stacking of hay pile, the manure pile can be raised till the height of 4-6’ tall. A regular mixing is required to ensure pathogen reduction, that a good stacking with minimal overturning will make good compact. A carefully considered piling is required to prevent leaching and runoff.
Closed Shed– A shed composting consists of several side-bins, when the first bin is filled, then the content can be turned into the next bin. The pile height should not exceed 6 feet to ensure that compost is aerated. Bins are covered with roof to reduce possible runoff and no leachate is generated under the roof.
Proper over-turning of compost is essential.
The important aspect for a composting site is to allow access all-year round and well drained.
Compost is basically a biological process that converts organic matter into fine particle humus. It involves a series of decomposition of microorganisms, digesting of organic matters. In this case, the organic matter is Horse Manure, Feeds and Beddings.
Composting helps minimize the waste-maximise microbial activity, thus balancing the farm ecosystem, tending hygiene and ensuring horses’ health.
On an average, every horse produces 30 lbs of feces and 2.5 gal. of urine along with spoiled bedding of about 10-12 lb is disposed every day. All up together, this accounts almost 50-65 lbs/day.
The crisis of waste management starts with 5 important reasons that depicts the need for proper management of manure, popularly known as Horse Manure Management.
The main aim of Horse Manure Management is to keep each and every aspect of manure in check.
Originally, Horse Manure varies from horse to horse, feeds provided and type of bedding used, and is best if sorted early when manure produced is measured on weekly routine.
These manures are the valuable and un-utilised resource that mobilise large amount of soil amendment and plant nourishing fertilizers.
Composting is one such method deployed in Horse Manure Management, and is feasible-affordable for every barn/farm owner.
Composting enriches gardens, pastures by improving soil texture, aeration and water retention. Also, compost mix helps increase soil fertility, control erosion and balance pH.
However, key features need to be ensured for proper composting and a good final product.
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most important indicator of how well your composting is taking place. The temperature is a fluctual result of airflow in and out of the manure pile. If the airflow is at optimal level, higher the temperature, greater the heat generated.
Try flipping your pile upside down, to distribute heat evenly throughout the massive pile. An even distribution of hot air will help suppress pathogens, fly larvae and weed seed/egg and accelerate the speed of decomposition.
Although, a vigilant temperature needs to be maintained in order to carry out decomposition steady and swift.
More generally, a lower temperature range of 50-110oF is required at initial stages of decomposition, later 110-160oF to break down organic matter, kill weeds, pathogens and increase microbial activity as they are hyper-thermal activists. Over a period of weeks or month, the temperature gradually drops to ambient temperature for the decomposition to settle down.
Either way, overheating immobilises many beneficial organisms or falling behind will hinder decomposition rate.
Lower the surrounding temperature; lower will be the composting rate. At the times of Winter, it takes 3-6 month for a normal compost to happen while it only takes 1-2 months for a pile to turn compost during Summer.
Note: Always keep piles upto 3-4 feets high and square base of 5-7 feets for building up a necessary temperature pressure within it. Get a Compost thermometer at local stores to get exact compost temperature every few days.
Moisture content
Moisture Management is necessarily a priority task while composting. An apt moisture will bring a perfect compost mix else it leads to odor, slow decomposition, and hard to achieve high temperature.
Either, the lack of moisture will cause composting organisms to dry out and prevent pile heat up.
There are severe ways to make sure that your pile is having sufficient moisture or not.
One, you can manually check by squeezing the pile of innermost layers and see through it. If it is damp enough to hold moisture or too wet that it dries out after squeezing leaving behind dry lump. Then make a precautionary moist supply.
Two, cover your pile using a tarp sheet to prevent it from getting excessively wet in the rainy season or too dry in hot days of summer. This will also help limit flies, weeds and sweeping nutrients off the pile.
Three, frequent watering will help balance water hold, as it evaporates due to heat and airflow. Try turning the pile either side to provide a significant amount of water to it.
Also, you may select the right location for your pile build, making it more convenient for clean-carry out-use. A right place, which is high enough to drain excess water or pour additional water when required, thus moisture maintained.
Pile composition
Often the compost quality depends upon Pile Composition. Pile material provides essential nutrients, and vital decomposing proportion for compost, it renders ‘Carbon for Energy and Nitrogen for Growth’. The microorganisms that are turned into compost are fueled by Carbon and Nitrogen.
Nitrogen is mainly found in manure and Carbon is found in bedding material, their proper proportion ensures successful composting. An ideal C:N proportion is estimated between 25:1 to 30:1, where carbon is in larger numbers.
More precisely, Carbon is primarily released by carbon-rich material like straw, wood chips, shavings, sawdust and leaves while animal-byproducts like manure and feeds are rich in Nitrogen.
Avoid using more bedding into pile build-up, more the bedding (carbon); longer the time for compost completion. Alternatively, if you’re using Coco bedding for your horse, you can reduce carbon pile up in your compost and reduce decompose after effects.
Note: Compost is combustible, keep the compost pile away from housing, avoid smoking near the compost pile.
A finished compost will reduce to half its original size, smells good and be like a rich soil.
Composting is a best way of manure and waste management to avoid potential threats to horse lives and deformation of manure piles.
A slight mismanagement of manure pile will affect,
Horses which are gazing over its own manure be infected by worm seeds/eggs,
Flies, pests and their odor plunges all around surround neighbourhood,
The pile of horse and bedding waste is insightful and decrease barn captivity,
If the manure were too soggy and ran down to the water source, it causes serious water quality issues,
Higher C:N ratio of manure pile will turn out good for none.
It is estimated that around 25 cubic yards of manure and bedding is being generated every year from each barn. It gives off stingy, foul odor and is doomed to bring a health crisis if not attended in time.
It also contains harmful disease-causing pathogens, parasites that can easily pollute water systems, so it has to be off-limited within 50feets away from the drainage point, and treated tactfully and consistently.
Manure pile
Composting plays as a best resolute for manure-waste management, and is believed to be ecologically friendly. The worth of composting strikes as it is,
The ideal material for creating quality compost for garden or pasture,
Composting breaks down microbial bacteria and fungi into nourishment source,
Compost manure decomposes into nutrient rich and odorless supplement,
It is time, space and cost efficient to compost your manure at stall,
It helps control temperature and odor of manure pile.
Basically, manure(feces, bedding, urine) consists of fertilizer nutrients like nitrogen(N), potassium(K2O) and phosphorus(P2O5) that are essential for plant growth.
A compost horse manure makes a rich source of nutrient as a soil amendment. It infuses micro and macronutrients that works as the time passes and also provides beneficial bacteria and fungi for soil nurture. Studies show that a manure compost makes the plant healthier and disease-resistant.
In simple terms, composting takes place in Heating Phase and Curing Phases.
Compost pile
Heating phase comprises bacterial breakdown to generate heat of temperature about 130oF that lasts for a month together to sterilize the weed seeds and form primary plant fertiliser.
Curing phase is held in lower temperature that burns fungal, worm residue in compost bin and takes upto 3-4 months after heat phase to take down nitrogen and other organic compounds under control (stable). Gardeners’ most refer to cured compost as it contains more fermented nitrogen and provides additional fertilizing result.
After all these, the compost you prepared can be used personally or be sold in the market. Manure compost has quite a value in the sale !!
Horses are the charming and a faithful companion, being along the human race imparting an immense love and care towards their partner. And it is also an apt investment done at once for the latter’s yield. The last thing you want to do is endanger their health or even their life without a prior knowledge in the aspect of bedding. So better be prepared than repent.
The word bedding is a consoling term that eases the seekers with peace and comfort, at the same time delivers a tacit boon for the owners. For horses, by default they don’t require a soft-sponge like bed but a sturdy, durable and hard to wear out. According to what so said, below are the critical criteria that are to be met, before making a bedding:
Safer for horse
Absorbent and Dust free
Hoof supportive- Resilient
Cushioning hocks and joints- Sturdy
Hygienic
Space and time feasible
Easy available
Biodegradable
Economical
Safer for horses
If you are approaching a non-traditional product, be sure to check with your vet or other knowledgeable resource because some materials are extremely toxic to horses. As some kinds of chipping served as bedding are not recommendable, as they are toxic to horses when eaten, especially those used in landscaping (such as black locust, parts of oak trees, horse chestnut, etc.). Also, horses could be tempted to eat the molding green material in the chips, you should evaluate any health risk before choosing.
Absorbent and Dust free
You’ll want an absorbent bedding with low dust, mold and foreign object count. Also, the greater the bedding’s absorbency, the lower the ammonia level will be in your barn, and breathing ammonia can damage lung tissue in you and your horse.
The biggest threat comes from airborne dust and spores that can attack the horse’s respiratory system, ranging from mild inflammation and mucus production to chronic, career-ending Recurrent Airways Obstruction disease (RAO – sometimes still referred to as COPD or the ‘heaves’). That’s why the choice of a dust-free bedding and the proper management of the stable environment are critical for equine professionals and owners.
Hoof Supportive
Like its respiratory system, the horse’s hooves are evolved to cope with very different conditions than those found in most stables today. The best bedding must provide firm,resilient support under the hoof, particularly the fog and a moisture-controlled environment that will keep the hoof dry, but won’t dry it out.
Cushioning Hocks and Joints
In a modern stable with solid walls and a concrete floor, a good,deep, aerated bedding should provide a insulation between the horse and the floor, and a protective cushion that will help prevent the kind of common damage such as capped hocks that can so easily occur when a horse is lying down, getting up or rolling in the stable.
Hygienic
Essential stable hygiene is something traditionally dealt with by periodic disinfecting. If not, later at some point of time, bedding may turn into a host for bacteria and fungi that will quickly re-contaminate the stable, especially when wet, generating pathogens that can invade and infect the respiratory system, cuts and grazes on the legs, and cracks or splits in the hoof. So go up with the periodic check for bedding hygiene and the bedding that embraces anti-fungal, anti-allergen naturally.
Space and Time feasible
The compressed blocks mean it’s easy to store and transport and the storage of bedding will be a major issue for people with shorter on land space. Stacked in the racks of the storage room or bed spread in the stable, it’s required to be less space consuming and laying the bed along the stall using a paddock is much easier than thought.
Easy Available
Bedding availability throughout the year and their accessibility in your locality is the foremost necessary that you should take care of. Along with the transport or delivery and shipping feasibility are to be checked.
Biodegradable
The bedding has to be 100% organic, environmentally friendly and reduce the stable waste. If the stable waste were to compost, beddings make the major contribution to the compost piles. On an average, it may take 6 months or so for compost bedding to break-down into muck heap.
Economical
Cost is inevitably a factor in an owner’s choice of bedding, but values are the far more important measure of cost effectiveness. Being environmentally sustainable, easily available, it has to be affordable for all hobbyist and professional owners of the barn, on buying new one that are highly absorbent doesn’t need to use as much. Buying in bulk may save you some money, too.
On the whole, buying an ideal product in terms of superior quality and cost-effective with easy handling and maintenance and with little waste, saving you both time and money is a suggestion we render on part of our team.
