What happens to manure when it dries out? Specifically horse manure?

Question

I have an old barn that has accumulated a lot of horse manure over the last 40 years or so. There are different colors of manure as you dig further and further. first is fresh and partly composted manure, next is a little harder black with white spots manure, then there is a tan or goldish color layer below that. Could you possibly tell me what nutrients(if any) and what makes up these different layers? Also are they good anymore if they have dried out?

really wondering what these stages are in NPK and micronutrient content.

Answer 1

Horse manure is a very good fertilizer. It is extremely strong, and if overused, will burn and kill your plants. What you are seeing is the various stages of decomposition as you dig down through it. Decomposed is just as valuable as fresh.

Best advice is to mix one part horse manure to five parts compost and work it into the soil. Using straight horse manure as a top dressing will likely damage or kill your plants.

Have you thought about putting a sign by the road advertising your treasure for sale. There are plenty of people who would be glad to pay you for the opportunity to shovel the stuff into their pickup trucks and take it home. Have your barn cleaned out and get paid at the same time ... sounds good to me.

Good luck with your endeavor.

Answer 2

i think it can be used as fertilizer