The 4 Most Important Reasons to Remove Horse Poo From Your Paddocks

Horse manure is a common by-product of horse ownership and it's important to properly manage it in order to maintain the health and well-being of your horses, the environment, and yourself. 

1. Health and safety: Horse manure can harbour a variety of harmful bacteria and parasites that can cause illness in both humans and horses. For example, roundworms, tapeworms, and other parasites can be transmitted through horse manure and cause serious health issues. 

These parasites can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated soil or water, or through the ingestion of contaminated food. In addition, horse manure can produce harmful gases, such as ammonia and methane, which can be harmful to inhale. Removing manure from your paddock helps to reduce the risk of transmission of these harmful organisms and gases.

 2. Pest control: Horse manure can attract flies and other pests, which can be a nuisance and pose a health risk. Flies are attracted to the moist, warm environment found in piles of horse manure, and they can spread diseases such as equine encephalitis, West Nile virus, and other illnesses. Flies can also transmit parasites and bacteria, and they can be a nuisance to both humans and horses. Removing manure from your paddock helps to reduce the breeding ground for these pests.

 

3. Environmental impact: Horse manure contains nutrients that can be beneficial to plants, but when it is allowed to accumulate in large quantities, it can have a negative impact on the environment. Excess nutrients from manure can leach into waterways and cause algae blooms, which can deplete the water of oxygen and harm aquatic life. Manure can also release greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. These gases are produced as the manure decomposes, and they can contribute significantly to air pollution. Removing manure from your paddock helps to minimise the environmental impact of horse ownership.

 

 4. Aesthetics: Horse manure can be unsightly and unpleasant to be around, especially if it accumulates in large quantities. A paddock that is cluttered with manure can be less enjoyable to work in or spend time in, and it can also be less appealing to look at. Removing manure from your paddock helps to maintain a clean, attractive environment for both you and your horses.

 

 

So, how do you go about removing horse manure from your paddock? Here are a few of our top tips and suggestions:

• Invest in a Paddock Blade to clear your fields of horse and animal manure. This innovative paddock maintenance tool was designed to clean paddocks with less effort and time, whilst retaining healthy pastures. After hooking the blade to your vehicle with the included universal tow loop, you’re ready to clear an acre in 10 minutes and slash valuable time spent on this mundane task each week.
  
  
  
  
• Use a manure fork or shovel to remove the manure and deposit it into a manure cart or wheelbarrow. Be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands thoroughly after handling manure to reduce the risk of transmission of harmful organisms.
  
  
  
  
• Spread the manure out on a compost pile or in a designated area for composting. Horse manure can be composted along with other organic materials, such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps, to create a nutrient-rich compost that can be used in your garden or landscape. Composting horse manure helps to reduce the volume and improve the quality of the manure, making it easier to handle and safer for the environment.
  
  
  
  
• Alternatively, you can use a manure spreader to evenly distribute the manure over a large area, where it can be left to decompose naturally. This can be a good option if you have a large paddock or pasture and want to use the manure as a natural fertiliser.
  
  
• If you have a large number of horses or a large paddock, you may want to consider hiring a professional manure removal service to handle the task for you. 
  
  
  

Want to know more about the Paddock Blade and how it’s changed the lives of 1000s of customers worldwide? Head to our customer reviews here to find out more!