Horse Keeping On Limited Acres…Got Mud? Got Manure?

Horse Keeping On Limited

Acres…Got Mud? Got Manure?

Amy Welker

Nutrient Management Specialist

Cumberland Valley Cooperative Association

Horse World Expo 200912/9/2009

Amy Welker

• Nutrient Management Specialist with Cumberland Valley Cooperative Association

• 9 years Nutrient Management Specialist with Dauphin County Conservation District (1998-2000) and Cumberland County Conservation District (2000-2007) – writing & reviewing NMP’s; writing conservation plans

• Certified to write nutrient management plans under PA Act 38, certification # 470

• Certified to write nutrient management plans in Maryland

• Certified as a Technical Service Provider (TSP) by USDA

– Certified Conservation Planner , Pennsylvania

– CNMP Plan Approval, Pennsylvania

– CNMP Plan Development - Land Treatment, Pennsylvania

– CNMP Plan Development - Nutrient Management, Pennsylvania

– Nutrient Management - Organic and Inorganic, Pennsylvania

– Grazing/Forages, Pennsylvania

• Passed feed management test

• Provisionally certified in Odor Management, Pennsylvania

• Taking CCA test in February


Amy Welker

• Long time horse owner

• Show hunters on local and rated circuit

• Owner/operator Maple Hill Stables, Shippensburg

– Lessons, blanket laundry & repair

• BS from Delaware Valley College in Agribusiness


Amy WelkerNutrient Management Specialist

Cumberland Valley Cooperative Association908 Mt. Rock Road

Shippensburg, PA 17257717-532-4353 office or 717-977-7551 cell

[email protected]

12/9/2009 Horse World Expo 2009

mailto:[email protected]

Pennsylvania Laws – all Pennsylvania farms

involved in tillage and/or manure production are subject to water quality regulations


Act 38 – Nutrient Management

• October 1, 2006

• Includes all livestock operations….YES horse too

• 8 Animal Units (8,000 lbs of animal)

• 2 Animal Units/Acre

• Nutrient Management Plan

• File plan with local conservation district by October 1, 2008


What if I don’t have a plan by the date

& I need one

• Contact your local Conservation District immediately to get an extension

• Ask for a list of Commercial Nutrient Management Planners who will write in your area.

• Contact Commercial Nutrient Management Planners for estimate. Not all planners base their prices the same so it can pay to shop around. Also to see if they can do the plan in the aloted time frame.

• Hire Commercial Nutrient Management Planner to write your plan.

• Notify Conservation District that you have hired someone and who you have hired.


Clean Stream Law & Chapter 102

• Monitors nutrients & sediment that enters PA’s bodies of water.

• Early 1970’s

• All operations tilling 5,000 sqft or greater included

• Conservation Plan or Ag E&S Plan


For green pastures, clean water and healthy

horses

Good Management

• Good grass cover, even in winter

• Fewer weeds

• Aesthetically pleasing landscape

• Clean water

Poor Management

• Soil compaction

• Muddy pastures in winter

• More weeds

• Unhealthy horses

• Polluted streams, groundwater, and household wells


Horse World Expo 2009

Components of “Good Management”

• Mud Management

• Pasture Management

• Manure Management

• Water Quality

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Mud Management



Harbors Bacteria & Fungal Organisms

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Mud is a Breeding Ground For Insects…..Which

• Are an annoyance to horse, owner, and neighbor

• Cause allergic reactions

• Spread disease

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Muddy Risks

• Potential for colic

• More rapidly chilled

• Injuries on mud slick footing

• Affect the fish and aquatic wildlife

• Groundwater contamination

• Violates the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law

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Public Perception Is Everything


People assume the animals on a muddy unkept operation are not cared for as well

as those on a non muddy well kept and landscaped operation.


How Do You????

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Recipe for Mud

• Manure

– Great at holding moisture

• High Traffic Areas

– Hooves loosen soil above and compact soil below

• Water

– Mixes with the loose soil and manure

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Pick Up Manure

• Manure = Mud• Single most important thing you can do to

reduce mud• Reduce horse’s exposure to parasites

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Water

• Keep clean water clean & treat the dirty water

• Clean Water = any water that has not been contaminated by nutrients or sediment

• Dirty Water = any water that has come in contact with nutrients or sediment

• Prevention is easier than treatment

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Roof Runoff Management

• Directs water away from high use areas

• Gutter slope 1/16 inch for every 1 foot of gutter

• Outlet away from livestock areas

• 48’ x 36’ roof without gutters will put over 5,040 gallons of water on the ground during a 1” rainfall

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Roof Runoff Management

• Protect downspouts from damage by using heavy PVC pipe

• Can direct downspouts into a rain barrel for emergency use

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French Drain

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French Drain



Grassed Waterway

• Works with natural drainage

• Protects drainage way from gullies

• Acts as a filter

• Provides cover for wildlife

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Diversions

• Graded channel

• Constructed across a slope with a ridge running along the lower side

• Conveys water from one location to another

• Prevents water from entering an area

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Plant Trees

• Plant and maintain native trees and shrubs

• A mature Douglas Fir drinks 100-250 gallons of water per day

• Evergreens use water in the winter when deciduous

• Make sure horses do not have access to trees

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Water Loving Shrubs & Trees

• Willow

• Red-osier dogwood

• Silver maple

• Before planting

make sure plant is

not poisonous

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Buffer Strips

• Filter nutrients and sediment

• Improve infiltration of water

• Provide food and cover for wildlife

• Protect the land from erosion

• Attractive landscape

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Sacrifice Area



What is a sacrifice area?

• Small enclosure such as a paddock, corral, or pen.

• Called a sacrifice area because you sacrifice a small area to benefit the rest of your pastures.

• Horse should be confined to this area through most or all of the winter, early spring, and during wet conditions.

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Designate a Sacrifice Area

• Site the sacrifice lot on higher ground, at least 100 feet away from wetlands, streams, or ponds.

• Look for an area with a slight slope, but not to much to encourage erosion.

• Most Importantly do not locate the sacrifice area in a bowl or depression where water naturally gathers.

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Questions To Ask Yourself When Designing a

Sacrifice Area

• Is it located close to manure and hay storage for easy daily chores?

• Can deliveries be made without moving horse?

• Do your horses have access to fresh water?

• Can horse be fed without walking through the sacrifice area? This is important if you ever have to have an inexperienced person feed for you.

• Can you move horses easily

• Are alley ways large enough for wheelbarrows and other equipment?

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Sacrifice Area Specs

• ~12’x24’ attached to a stall will allow the horse to run and play

• 20-30’ x 100’ in length will allow the horse to trot

• 30-40’ x 200’ will allow the horse to gallop

• NRCS uses 1,000 sqft per Animal Unit (1,000 lbs)

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Construction of Sacrifice Area

• Create good drainage by filling the lot with a layer of stone aggregate topped with finer stone dust.

• Surround your sacrifice area with vegetation to filter out any organic matter and sediment that might run off.

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Options for Sacrifice Area



Economical – Hog Fuel

• Large wood chips

• General rule – apply hog fuel twice as deep as the depth of mud (3 inches of mud = 6 inches of hog fuel)

• Reduces urine odor

• Higher maintenance due to wood breaking down

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Mid Range – Gravel or Sand

• 2-3 times as expensive as hog fuel

• 3/8” to 5/8” minus crushed gravel

• 2:1 ratio of gravel to mud

• 6-8” for best results

• Coarse, washed sand

– DO NOT feed horses on sand surfaces

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Top of the Line - Geotextile with gravel, sand or

hog fuel

• Geotextile used to separate layers

• Cover geotextile with at least a 3” layer of crushed rock (1/4 to 1 ½”)

• Followed by a choice of footing – 6” of gravel or sand or up to 12” of hog fuel

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Geotextile

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Sacrifice Area & Grazing

• Do not turn horses out on lush green pastures all at once

– Founder

– Colic

• Gradually introduce or use a grazing muzzle


Pasture Management


Pasture Management

• Good pastures take management

• Animals need to be removed and kept off pastures if there is not enough land


Horses vs. Other Livestock

• Cloven hoof—cattle, sheep, goats, and swine are split in the middle and give when walking preventing the loosening of soil

• Equine hoof—are solid allowing for cutting and tearing of soil when the equine moves.



Horse vs. Other Livestock

• Ruminants do not have any top teeth, using their tongue to “rip” the grass.

• Equine have both top and bottom front teeth allowing to “grab” the grass close, pulling and tearing the grass by the roots.

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Horses vs. Other Livestock

• Age of Horse

– Older horses are more sedate than younger horses

• Sex

– Geldings play more than mares

• Breed

– Hot blooded horses (TB) tend to be more active than cold blooded horses (drafts)



Stocking Rates

• 1 horse can be maintained on ½ acre of pasture, IF turnout is limited to fewer than 3 hours/day

• 1 horse can be maintained on 1 acre of pasture, IF turnout is limited to 3-8 hours/day

• 1 horse can be maintained on 1 ½ acre of pasture, IF turnout is limited to 8-12 hours/day

• 1 horse can be maintained on 2 or more acres of pasture with unlimited turnout

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A Good Horse Pasture

• Palatable forages – vegetative, few weeds

• Dense sod/solid footing

• Well drained

• Good water at all times, shelter when needed

• Free of danger….poisonous plants, junk, loose/barbed wire

• Properly fenced

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Grazing Behavior of Horses

• VERY close grazers – pull and tear at grasses

• Selective (spot) grazers – graze the best & leave the rest

• Graze for long periods of the day (10-14 hours)

• Consume 2% of body weight/day

• 70% of feed should be forages

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Overgrazing

• Overgrazing occurs when 50% or more of the grass plant is removed

• Stops root growth and reduces grass production

• Affects the vigor of the stand and is less drought resistant


How the Grass Grows

• The leaves and stems are where plants make their own food.

• Stems are the support structure for the plant and transport water and nutrients to and from the above portion and the roots.

• The amount of top growth directly affects the plant’s total water absorption and transpiration.

• Nutrient storage.


Purpose of Roots

• Functions of the older portion of root system:

– Anchors the plant.

– Binds the soil.

• Functions of new portion of root system:

– Extracts mineral elements and water from soil particles.

– Replaces the older roots that become inactive.

• Root Replacement

– Each year a portion of a grass plant's roots die and are replaced.

– Amount of annual replacement ranges from 20-50% of the total root systems.

– Growing roots require food from the leaves and water from the soil. 4. Top Growth


Relationship between roots & top

growth

• Vigorous top growth is essential in order to maintain a healthy root system, which in turn results in a grass plant that produces abundant forage and is more tolerant of drought and other stresses.

• A small top growth can only support a small root system


Grazing & Roots

Healthy roots = healthy grass

Percent Grass Plant Removed Percent Root Growth Stopped

10% 0%

20% 0%

30% 0%

40% 0%

50% 2-4%

60% 50%

70% 78%

80% 100%

90% 100%


Grass & Roots



GrassesGrass Seedling

VigorTolerance to Soil

LimitationsWinter

HardinessFrequent Graze

Droughty Wet Low pH

Kentucky Blue M L/M M M H H

Orchardgrass H M M M M M

Perennial Ryegrass H L M M L M

Reed Canarygrass L H H H H M

Smooth Bromegrass H H M M H L

Tall Fescue H M M H M M

Timothy M L L M H L12/9/2009

Tools for Good Pasture

Management


Mow

• Stimulates equal growth

• Cuts weeds before they go to seed

• Prevents grass from getting too tall and tough, which is not appetizing to horses

• Uniform 4-5” ideal



Soil Testing

• Most important tool in pasture management

• Test every 3-4 years

• ~$11.00

• Recommendations for Phosphorus, Potassium, Lime, and Organic Matter

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Soil Test Values

• pH ~7

• Phosphorus 30-50ppm, >300ppm very high

• Potassium 100-200ppm, When soil test K is greater than 200 ppm and less than 400 ppm K: Very high K can lead to imbalances in forages which can cause serious health problems in animals.

• Potassium When soil test K is greater than or equal to 400 ppm:

• Very high K can lead to dangerous nutrient imbalances in forage crops which can cause serious health problems in animals



Applying Manure/Fertilizer

• Improve the health of grass

• Apply according to soil test

• Best time is before a rain

• Good idea to keep horses off pasture for a few days/weeks

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Dragging

• Use harrow or homemade devices such as chain link fence or old bedspring

• Breaks up manure clods and spreads them evenly throughout the area

• Exposes parasites to elements

• Mowing & dragging reduces a “rough” (the place where horses urinate and defecate) they will distribute their manure more evenly

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Manure Vacuums & Cleaners

• Vaccum up pasture manure

• Retails for $3000-$4000



Aerating

• Spring or early summer

• Helps alleviate compacted soils

– Increases root regeneration

– Increases worm population

– Allows fertilizer and water to get to the roots

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Pasture Management Schedule

• November/December/January/February/March– Restrict animals from wet pastures and surface waters. Collect manure daily from confinement areas

• April – Clip weeds and tall grazes, harrow manure, reseed or overseed pastures if need, begin controlling grazing, apply fertilizer

• May/June/July/August – clip weeds and tall grasses, harrow manure in grazed pastures

• September/October – Clip weeds and tall grasses, harrow manure in grazed pastures, reseed or overseed pastures if needed, apply lime according to soil tests

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Continuous Grazing


Rotational Grazing


Rotational Grazing


Rotational Grazing


Intensive Rotational Grazing











Fencing

• Safety

• Highly visible

• High enough so they will not jump

• Horses are hard on fences

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Fence Types

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Weeds

• Weeds can thrive in adverse pH. Grasses need pH ~6.5

• Mow weeds before going to seed

• Cut woody weeds like thistle and multifloral rose

• Spot spray woody weeds

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Spraying for Weeds

• 2, 4D

– 30 day grazing restriction

– Kills everything except grass –weeds & legumes (clovers)

• Forefront & Milestone (DOW)

– No grazing or haying restrictions

– Aminopyralid & 2, 4D

– Kills everything except grass –weeds & legumes (clovers)

– Long time to replant non grasses


Management Tips

• Cannot turn a horse on grass all at once

– Colic

– Founder

• 6” tall grass before grazing

• Even 3” grass


Water Sources

• Fence out ponds & streams

• Install a stream crossing if pasture goes on both sides

• Your horse could be drinking what enters the water upstream


Manure Management



Environmentally Sound??

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Whole Picture…

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Manure, Why Worry?

• Parasites

• Mud

• Insects

• Skin & Hoof Disease

• Wasted Space

• Unsightliness

• Odors

• Environmental Contamination

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Parasites

• Parasite eggs can hatch every 3 days

• Horses can be reinfested

• Paste wormer is only protects your horse for 48 hours, until it clears their system

Small Strongyles

Round Worms

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Wasted Space

• One 1,000 lbs. horse produces ~45 lbs. manure daily

• + 1-2 cubic feet/month Bedding

• = 730 cubic feet/year of waste to manage a year

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Sebastian Riding Club, Montgomery County – USDA Project


Unsightliness

• Rotting manure pile

• Foul juices

• Source of windblown refuse

• Environmental concern

• Upset neighbors

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Odors

• Remember downwind neighbors

• You might like the smell of manure but your neighbors probably will not

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Environmental Contamination

• Contaminate surface water

• Harm fish & aquatic life

• Contaminate ground water

• Remember we all live down stream,

and all water flows downstream

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How Do You Deal With This??????

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Basic Management

• Cleaning stalls

• Picking up manure in paddocks, pens, and turnouts

• Break the parasite cycle



Bedding – Absorption of BeddingMaterial (lbs water absorbed/lbs bedding)

Wood

•Tanning bark

•Fine bark

•Pine

–Chips

–Sawdust

–Shavings

–Needles

•Hardwood Chips

4.0

2.5

3.0

2.5

2.0

1.0

1.5

Shredded newspaper 1.6

Corn

•Shredded stover

•Ground cobs

2.5

2.1

Straw

•Oats

•Wheat

2.5

2.2

Hay, chopped mature 3.0

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Bedding Tips

• Safe for horses

• Absorbent

• Easy to compost

• Available

• Easy to store.

• Low dust

• Chore efficient

• Cost


Alternative Bedding – Best Cob LLC

• Made from corn cobs

• Will not stick to manes and tails

• Adsorbent

• Soft

• Brightens and shines hooves


Alternative Bedding - Streufex

• HIGH ABSORPTION

• VIRTUALLY DUST FREE

• COST EFFECTIVE

• ODOR FREE

• WILL NOT CONSUME

• OUTSTANDING INSULATION

• THERAPEUTIC

• LESS MUCK

• SUPERIOR COMPOST

• CONVENIENTLY PACKAGED



Staying On Top Of The Heap

• Stockpile manure & stall waste for crop needs

• Compost all stall waste

• Give away

• Haul manure & stall waste off property

• Reduce the amount of bedding used

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Fertilizer Savings

• Horse Manure = 12-5-9 analysis

• 1 horse = 8.2 tons/year

– Available N = 19.68

– P = 41

– K = 73.8


Dollars & Cents

• 20-10-10 fertilizer = $497/ton or $13.30/50 lb bag ($532/ton)

• 8.2 tons = $4,075.40 (bulk) or $4,362.40 (bagged)



Waste Storage

• Select a high dry spot

• Keep away from bodies of water – do not store where water can run through the pile

• Easily accessible

• Confine the pile

• Treat any runoff

• Cover

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Manure Storage

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Compost

• Aerated systems

– Forces air into the manure pile

• Windrows

– Mechanical turning of manure to aerate

• Vermicompost

– Using red worms to break down the manure


Compost

For Pennsylvania to recognize composted manure and not classify it as “old manure” a Compost Maturity Test needs to be preformed. The only lab the SCC recognizes is Woods End Lab in Maine (at this point). Product needs to score a 7-8 on a scale from 1-8. If this test is not done and the product does not score a 7-8 it will be considered “old manure” and subject to all the manure setbacks, storage and handling regulations set forth in Act 38.


Spreading Manure

• Use common sense

• Stay 100’ away from well heads

• 100’ of body of water

• 100’ from sinkhole

• Avoid frozen, snow covered or saturated ground


Easy BMP’s with Big Impact

• Roof gutters, downspouts & underground outlets

• Waste storage structure (stacking pad or compost bins)

• Interior fence

• Stabilized congregation area (around water troughs, inside gates, winter turn out areas)

• Buffers & waterways12/9/2009 Horse World Expo 2009

NEW Manure Handling Ideas

• Hong Kong used vermicomposting to handle the manure produced during the 2008 Olympic Games.

• Wellington, FL produces over 100 tons of manure a day during winter season. Estimated that this manure could produce 24 kw of electric/day. Value of this electric has been placed at $4.2 million dollars

• Ethanol research for horse manure


NEW /Old Manure Handling Ideas

Modern Mongolian Manure Roof

• Horse manure used to insulate the roof



All of These Things Affect Water Quality

12/9/2009

If you follow these

tips you and your

horse(s) will be much

happier!


Thank you!


Documents

Horse Keeping On Limited Acres…Got Mud? Got Manure?