A method by which horse manure can be converted into a sustainable product that could be a substitute for some plastics is in development – and the early signs are very promising.

Perry Robinson (pictured), who has been removing equestrian muck heaps for years, has been working with Professor Mohan Edirisinghe OBE of University College London (UCL), and his researcher Dr Mehmet Onur Aydogdu, to produce cellulose from manure, thanks to a “waste to wonder” process they hope will solve an industry issue and potentially save horse owners money.

The project is at an early stage but the “pressure spinning” technique Professor Edirisinghe invented can produce films, fibres and sheets of cellulose, which has potential to be used for anything from packaging to clothing.

Mr Robinson told H&H he took over his family’s muck heap removal business about 10 years ago, taking the manure to farmers for muck-spreading.

“Four or five years ago, we ran into a bit of trouble with the Environment Agency, because they wanted to stop spreading manure in autumn, the only time we could drive on fields with a muck spreader,” he said. “I couldn’t collect, and the yards were getting full of manure.

“We spoke to the EA and got it reclassified, which alleviated the problem, but it sparked something; I thought, ‘This can’t carry on as it has been,’ because if anything like that happened again, it would be terrible for yards.”

Mr Robinson looked into other ways manure could be used, and came across Professor Edirisinghe’s work using pressure spinning to obtain cellulose from cow manure.

“Cellulose can be used as a plastic substitute,” he said. “Cellophane, pill coatings, food coatings, fibres in T-shirts. I contacted the professor, we came up with a plan, I took some manure, tested it and made it into cellulose. He said it’s amazing, so much better than cow manure.”

Professor Edirisinghe, the Bonfield chair of biomaterials at the UCL mechanical engineering department, told H&H his passion is in developing sustainable, environmentally friendly, energy-efficient materials.

“It’s far better to get things off the grid,” he said. “This process, the pressure spinning, is off the grid. It can be run via battery, coupled to the grid or charged. And whichever dung you think about, it’s waste. It can be troublesome waste, but it can be converted to something economically profitable. That’s a big issue – that’s why I call it waste to wonder.”

Cellulose is found in plant cells, and helps plants stay stiff and upright. Humans cannot digest it but herbivores can, and Professor Edirisinghe’s analysis has shown that horse manure contains more of it than other species’ dung.

Pressure spinning has many similar processes invented by Professor Edirisinghe; this version involves a drum with many nozzles on the surface, rotating on an axis as the nanocellulose in the drum, from the manure, is put under pressure. The nozzles are directed to a water bath, where the jets form sheets, fibres or films, depending on viscosity, of a biodegradable and sustainable material. The process can be scaled up or down, he said, for smaller to mass-production use.

Large amounts available

“I realised from talking to Perry that there is quite a large amount of horse manure available,” he said. “And this could help the equestrian industry; it’s wonderful waste. We can get something usable; cellulose for packaging or to wrap something, using dung that can be a problem and is just thrown away.”

Only small amounts have been involved so far; Professor Edirisinghe said the next steps are looking at how much dung is available, and using the process on a larger scale. He wants to generate interest and funding to research and develop the project further.

“The process is proven, but when you discover something, you have to find out more and more about it,” he said. “But I think this is a great step forward for the equestrian industry. If you can convert a muck heap into pounds and pence, that’s a circular economy.

“That’s the way the world is now moving, whatever you want to make. The questions are: is this good for the environment? Is this sustainable? Is it energy efficient? Of course it is. And because it’s cellulose that’s come from a natural source, we hope to recycle it so there’s a complete cycle.”

Mr Robinson added that cellulose is used in rider clothing and horse wear, and a long-term aim, as well as saving money for horse owners, is to investigate whether the cellulose produced this way could come full circle and be used by riders, and the horses who originally produced it.

“That would allow the industry to close the loop on a problem it knows well,” he said. “This isn’t about inventing something new, but potentially supplying materials the horse world already uses in a more circular way.”

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The equestrian industry must make better decisions to reduce its environmental impact – and act as “guardians of the landscape”.

Water company United Utilities is collaborating with horse owners to help improve their land management, with the view of helping their equines – and protecting water sources.

United Utilities catchment manager Kate Snow told H&H equestrians can play their part in helping the environment by considering things such as their grazing practices, the location of their muck heaps, and the use of chemicals and fertilisers. The company is hosting three free events (28 January, 7 and 28 February) at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre in Cheshire, where owners can hear from land management experts and equine professionals on the topic.

“We want to encourage owners to act responsibly,” said Dr Snow. “Looking at a piece of land, some people might just think of it as somewhere to turn their horse out, rather than considering the environment. And many people don’t know that what they’re doing potentially could be having an impact.

“No one is saying anyone is doing anything [negative] on purpose, but it’s raising awareness of what you can do. For example, simply moving your muck to a different part of the field can make a considerable difference, or making sure the person you use to take the muck away is acting responsibly and spreading it as part of a nutrient management plan, and not just dumping it.”

British Equestrian (BEF) has launched a new five-month environmental sustainability project with Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), in collaboration with sustainability agency White Griffin. The European Equestrian Federation will also be a project stakeholder.

White Griffin will conduct interviews with BEF and HSI member bodies and the wider equine community, about how sustainability impacts them, what work is being carried out, concerns, and the way forward, with the aim of reaching “as many people involved in the industry as possible.”

White Griffin project lead Ruth Dancer told H&H the work will lead to recommendations and a “strategic roadmap”, to support the federations with the risks that climate change will present in the coming years, and their “ongoing responsible stewardship of the land”.

“The climate crisis impacts everything that this sector does and in turn, the sector impacts upon it. Through this work we hope to demonstrate ways the industry can positively impact the environment while crucially safeguarding the future of equestrianism and equestrian sports,” she said.

BEF chief executive Jim Eyre added that the industry has a “collective responsibility” for the environment, to ensure a sustainable future.

“As a sector so integrated and reliant on nature and the countryside, we must make better informed decisions to reduce our environmental impact wherever we can and act as guardians of the landscape,” he said.

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Horse poo could hold the answer to life on Mars, according to new research.

Scientists tested horse and pig manure mixed with simulated Martian and lunar soil to see how well lettuces would grow.

The study, carried out by scientists from the Italian universities of Naples Federico II and Basilicata, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Plants on 2 December. It is part of research into the feasibility of feeding astronauts on crewed missions to the Moon or Mars.

The horse and pig manure mix, designed as a substitute for “crew excreta” (the polite term for astronaut poo) and crop residues, was mixed with the Martian and lunar “soil” to see if food production could, theoretically, be possible. For those H&H readers who have watched the 2015 blockbuster The Martian, which tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney’s (Matt Damon) struggle to survive on Mars, this will perhaps sound a little familiar.

The researchers measured lettuce growth, nutrient uptake and nutrient bioavailability in the manure/simulated soil mixes after plant growth.

The simulated Martian soil performed better agronomically – in layman’s terms, Mars grew better lettuces.

But the researchers also found that the simulated soil from both Mars and the Moon “were able to sustain plant growth even in absence of fertilisation”, although the addition of the manure mix did yield better results.

They found that the best crop growth response was achieved with a ratio of 70:30 of “soil” to manure mixture.

There’s still a way to go yet before we see the man in the Moon tending his veg patch. The researchers highlighted that to assess the feasibility of the soil mixes for plant growth in space, these findings need to be validated in follow-up experiments under microgravity.

Something to ponder next time you’re forking the muckheap…

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Horse poo will power 100% of the electricity needed at a major international dressage and showjumping competition later this month in a world first.

Helsinki International Horse Show (18-22 October), which hosts a World Cup qualifier CSI5* plus a CDI3*, has revealed it will be running entirely on manure.

Around 140MWh is needed, which requires the annual manure output for 14 horses.

The electricity will be provided by Fortum’s Järvenpää power plant and its origin will be verified by Fingrid’s “guarantee of origin” system.

“It’s great to participate in electrifying the pilot event of the Fortum HorsePower concept with horse manure,” said event director Tom Gordin.

“Overall, the concept is fascinating and creates tremendous opportunities for the entire horse sector in Europe.”

Fortum HorsePower is a bedding and manure management service.

It delivers fresh bedding to yards and collects muck to be used to create electricity.

The company covers much of southwestern and western Finland and branched out into Sweden this autumn.

Bosses state that there are already close to 3,000 horses “leaving green hoofprints” and producing energy.

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It is believed that this is the first time in the world that the electricity for a major horse show will be produced entirely with horse manure.

“I am really proud that electricity produced with horse manure can be used for an event that is important to equestrian fans and the horse sector,” said HorsePower’s vice president Anssi Paalanen.

“It is great that Finland’s biggest and best-known horse show is a forerunner in energy and environmental issues.”

The company is providing wood-based bedding for the 250-plus horses who will be housed in temporary stables at the show, held at Helsinki Ice Hall.

The muck — estimated to be around 135 tonnes over the course of the show — will be taken to the power plant to generate electricity.

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When the H&H team saw this impeccably neat bed (pictured, above), we were seriously impressed and decided to ask our talented readers for pictures of their impressive horsey feats. From amazing plaits to marvellous muck heaps, this perfectionist bunch is taking equestrian standards to another level…

1. Perfect plaits

Pauldary’s Choccywoccydoodah sports flawless plaits while competing at Hickstead Dressage with Nicola Jarvis.

2. Tidy tackroom

Sammy Luff keeps her tack room gleaming and totally matchy matchy, with blue bit guards, bridle hooks, headcollars and covers.

3. Mighty muck heap

Emily Dimmond shared this picture of a mighty muck heap.

“This was the muck heap when I was an equestrian student at Duchy College,” she told H&H. “It always looked like this and anyone who was on muck heap duty took great pride in their ridiculously neat muck heap.”

4. A place for everything

Technically not a reader submission, but we’re totally in awe of producer Jo Bates’ incredibly tidy tack room — just look at those nicely folded rugs. Of course our horsey gear is kept like this too…

5. Spotless shavings

Kate Coates posted this spotless bed. “Shame my horse trashed it within five seconds of being in,” she said.

6. Magnificent mane

Aleisha Hillier-Davies may be a relatively novice plaiter, but we’re impressed by her skills. “I’ve not been plaiting for long — eight months — but I’ve been trying my best,” she said.

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7. Beautiful bridles

Sean Vard shows off his spotless bridles and bits.

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We are all secretly a little bit superstitious, but forget crystal balls, black cats, horoscopes and palm reading; perhaps something as simple a yard’s muckheap can say a lot about the equestrians behind it.

So here we find out what your muckheap says about you and your friends in this tongue-in-cheek analysis.

A well-structured and compact muckheap

A solid, thoughtful person. This person is considerate, helpful and likes to think ahead. They are likely to make a good friend.

A lot of muck

A loyal and loving person. This caring, friendly individual surrounds themselves with others and aims to please.

Everything spread out on the ground

Be warned – this person is potentially rather lazy. It is possible that they do little to help around the yard and can be somewhat forgetful. Maybe you should give them some muckheap building tips?

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A mix of shavings and straw

Be suspicious of this person. You should approach them with caution as it’s hard to tell where their loyalties lie.

A collapsed muckheap

This person is unmotivated. They are probably suffering from a case of January blues. Perhaps they are in need of a helping hand?

A staggered muckheap

The perfectionist. This equestrian is kind hearted but also hard working and will not take any nonsense. Be sure to adhere to the rules when throwing your muck up, or you may be in trouble.

Not much muck

This person may be mistaken as frugal, but perhaps a more accurate description is well organised. One should be sure to find out if they have recently had it collected, or if they’re an avid gardener before jumping to conclusions.

An unusually shaped muckheap

This individual is fun loving and carefree. They are always up for a good time and are the life and soul of the yard.

An exuberant pile

The extrovert. This person is loud and outgoing. They love telling you what they have been up to with their horses, however they are potentially “all talk” so watch out for this.

A tall muckheap

The ambitious equestrian. This person is not afraid of new heights and is always willing to try something new. One to watch for the future.

No muckheap

Not marriage material.

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Police and Horsewatch groups are warning yards to be wary of cut-price services after an apparent muck disposal scam.

People in counties including Wilts, Berks, Northants, Somerset and Hants report paying for a skip to remove their equestrian waste that has never arrived.

The company offers an “equine waste recycling service” to supply muck skips and empty them for 12 months for a cut-price fee.

Richard O’Neill Kemp from Glebe Farm Equestrian Centre, Northants, said: “I got an email, but was wary as it sounded very reasonable, so I called them.

“They said [the muck] would be sold on for biofuel and compost, so I paid £400.

“That was more than a month ago and still no skip. I’ve contacted the police and the company, who said I’d get a refund, but I’m yet to see any money.”

Jan Tupper from Arniss Equestrian in Fordingbridge, Hants, told H&H she fell victim to the scam in October.

“We received a flyer, paid £600 and ordered one skip, which was delivered, but no one came back to empty it,” she said.

“We took the company to court in March and won, but have seen no money.”

Another victim, who asked not to be named, said: “We ordered a skip and it all seemed legitimate. We paid around £800 for two skips, one arrived.

“This was in April. I asked for a refund but the cheque bounced. I’ve taken it to the police.”

Wiltshire Police is urging any other victims to get in touch to help with the case. The company could not be contacted for comment.

If you have concerns, contact your local police force, tel: 101.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (21 June 2012)

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Stable waste created by the hundreds of racehorses based in Newmarket could soon be heating schools and hospitals.

A proposal has been put forward by Jockey Club Estates to build a recycling plant to turn the waste stable products – manure and soiled bedding – into fuel and fertiliser at a plant

in Newmarket.

It aims to recycle 5,000tonne of the 25,000tonne of stable waste created in Newmarket annually.

The Jockey Club has been working for around 18 months on the plan with European firm GG Eco Solutions.

The company specialises in converting organic waste material into dry biomass fuel and fertiliser.

Another by-product of the waste would be 2,000tonne of water, which would be used to irrigate woodland, paddocks and Jockey Club Estates’ grounds.

“The scheme uses stable waste and turns it into granular fertiliser and compressed biomass pellets,” William Gittus from Jockey Club Estates told H&H.

“Currently, the waste is taken to power stations out of the area at a considerable cost to training yards – in some cases, around £30,000 a year.

This plan aims to reduce costs considerably, but will also substantially decrease lorry movements in the town.”

A planning application has now been submitted to install a recycling plant at Southfield Farm, off Hamilton Road in Newmarket.

Suffolk County Council is considering the application and a decision will be announced on 9 January.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (5 January 2012)

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Owners of large yards are being warned to manage their muckheaps efficiently — or face a huge fine.

Fiona Marner, a former director of Kingwood Stud in Lambourn, Berks, was fined £24,895 after her manure heap burst into flames, causing an environmental hazard.

She was ordered to pay £20,000 in fines, £4,880 in prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge by Newbury Magistrates earlier this month (Monday, 11 April) after operating the company in an “environmentally unfriendly” way.

The Environment Agency told H&H vast amounts of muck were being stored and were in danger of contaminating the ground water in the Lambourn Valley with nitrates, ammonia and phosphates.

Magistrates heard that the fire brigade was called on 6 October 2009 after 500tonnes of manure ignited and burnt for several days. Smoke could be seen from half a mile away.

The Environment Agency visited the site on 9 October, but six weeks later it found a smaller fire in the same place. There were 14 reports of burning horse bedding and manure at the site between October 2002 and November 2009.

The Environment Agency had previously issued two warning letters to the company and two advisory letters.

The waste used to be taken away by a local farmer, but Mrs Marner said it had become “too expensive”. An estimated cost to remove manure is between £10-£15 a tonne.

It is illegal to burn manure and Mrs Marner denied setting the heap alight. She said the manure fire had been caused by a combination of warm, dry weather followed by rain.

She admitted keeping controlled waste on land in a manner “likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health” under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

This longer edition of this story, including comments from the Environment Agency, Mrs Marner and the British Horse Society, was published in Horse & Hound (21 April, 2011)

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The bodies of two men were discovered buried in a pile of manure at a yard in Gary, just outside Chicago, last Sunday.

The alarm was raised when a client at the yard saw a human foot protruding from the dung pile.

An autopsy is due to be performed to determine the cause of death as, according to police reports, very little identifying information about the bodies could be gleaned.

DC Michael Barnes of Gary police told the Chicago Sun Times that he was working with other police departments that may have received missing persons reports matching the descriptions of the two men.

One victim appears to be a white male, but the other’s race and sex are unknown. It is also unknown what their respective causes of death were, when they died, or how long they’d been buried in the pile.

“Because the men had been covered in manure, the time of their death is even more difficult to determine because the manure speeds decomposition,” DC Barnes explained.

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The Environment Agency (EA) is cracking down on the illegal burning of horse manure in Ryedale, North Yorkshire.

Steve Richardson from the EA has launched the campaign after twice calling the fire brigade to muck heap fires in Ryedale.

Other reported incidents in the area have involved improper storage and spreading of large quantities of horse manure.

Mr Richardson told H&H: “People have an obligation to make sure the storage and disposal of manure doesn’t cause pollution.”

He said the campaign aims to raise awareness of the rules surrounding muck heaps among farmers and stable owners.

Information packs are currently being assembled containing waste disposal and storage guidance, which Mr Richardson will deliver personally to Ryedale stable yards.

“I’m trying to get rid of any confusion,” said Mr Richardson. “Once we get to the stage when people know it’s illegal, then there’s no excuse for it. We would rather give the advice than be forced to prosecute”

As horse manure is officially classed as commercial waste, the deliberate burning of muck heaps is a prosecutable offence.

However, properly disposing of manure has resulted in yet more expenditure for equestrian establishments.

Richard Lingwood of Norton Grove Stud, Malton, says, “We’ve had to buy a trailer and it costs £120 a week to have it emptied. We try to keep our prices down but have been forced to raise fees to cover our costs.

“It’s most annoying to think that when we started we used to be paid for our manure, now it’s a complete farce.”

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More advice on running a yard

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Q: I moved into my own yard with five stables and six acres last year.

There are two buildings opposite — one a commercial business — and both tenants are complaining about the smell of the muckheap, which is removed by a local farmer four times a year.

The council asked if I could cover the muckheap up, but I am worried about the fire risk.

I have also considered having someone collect the muck and leaving a trailer for me to fill, but the council does not like that idea because it will be “unsightly”. What can I do?

A Holden, Beds

There are no products that adequately deal with the smell of a muckheap and covering the heap would, as you say, bring its own risks.

A spokesman from the environment and planning department of Central Bedfordshire council explained that nuisance smells are dealt with as statutory nuisances under sections 79 and 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

Statutory nuisance

“Under this legislation, we would probably look at such complaints in terms of accumulations of a nuisance. Whether a smell was a statutory nuisance would depend on its severity and duration, and its distance to the houses in question,” the spokesman explained.

“We would make a judgement as to whether the smell materially interferes with a person’s enjoyment of their own home. There are no readings taken to assess the level of smell!

“Our best advice in this scenario is to have the muck regularly removed by a regulated waste contractor; perhaps more frequently than your current three-monthly removal.

“I would not recommend covering up the muckheap, as this will increase the likelihood of harbouring rodents.”

The Environment Agency deals with commercial — as opposed to private — issues concerning odour problems, but added: “We realise the distinction between an acceptable and an unpleasant smell can be subjective, but also recognise that persistent odour can have a big impact on people’s quality of life.

“Our odour experts do work with companies to help resolve problems and, where businesses ignore odour problems, we can and do bring prosecutions.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (22 October, ’09)

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Mucking out is a necessary evil where animals are concerned, and you certainly don’t want to have to pay good money for the pleasure of doing it. After the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs issued the new waste management regulations at the end of March, it looked like horse owners and businesses would have to shell out for their manure heaps. DEFRA clarified today that this is not the case, unless they plan to compost it with other materials.

The new Waste Management Regulations 2005, which come into force on 1 July 2005, reduce the number of activities that are subject to licensing, but also introduce a charge for exemptions. Among the activities that now need to pay for a waste licence exemption is community composting. This sparked fears that muck heaps would require a composting exemption.

DEFRA has now moved to quell the rumours, explaining in a statement that anyone who stores manure where it is produced needs neither a waste management licence nor a licence exemption, with the proviso that manure is intended solely as horse and bedding waste.

“As long as the heap is simply manure, they don’t need to get a licence or an exemption. If you add other waste material to it, then you do,” said a spokesman.

The British Horse Society, which had raised concerns when the waste licensing Regulations was first announced, welcomed DEFRA’s statement. “We are pleased that DEFRA has now provided clarification on the implications of the regulations.

“The key points appear to be that the new regulations apply only to businesses, not individual horse owners; the storage of waste pending collection will not entail a charge; but collecting and storing waste for the purpose of producing compost may attract a charge,” said BHS’s Chief Executive Graham Cory.

“It appears — and we are checking this with Defra — that there must be an intention to turn the waste, by appropriate management, into compost for commercial purposes. Simply stacking up waste in a way that will inevitably lead to biodegrading, i.e. composting, will not amount to composting for the purposes of the Regulations.”

DEFRA confirmed that the new regulations apply to establishments — from businesses and companies to charities or clubs, but not private individuals — which are mixing manure with other materials to make compost. “Adding other waste products to manure to treat it or to make compost may require registration of an exemption from the need for a waste management licence or a waste management licence because this activity is classified as composting,” they said in a statement.

The charge levied when registering a composting exemption, which ranges from £252 to £482 for the first year, goes towards recovering the regulation costs “to ensure that such treatment is carried out in an environmentally sound manner.” People who register for an exemption will also need to carry out the composting on an impermeable pavement with sealed drainage to help safeguard the environment.

DEFRA also pointed out that undertakings which are spreading manure to land still need to get a waste licence, as required by the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994. However, this may soon change.

“DEFRA and the [Environment] Agency believe that the land spreading of manure may in future be eligible for an exemption from waste management licensing which would be a less onerous form of regulations than a licence,” they wrote in a statement. “DEFRA will consider this issue further with representatives of the horse industry as part of a forthcoming review of waste management licensing exemptions.”

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Equestrian businesses that compost muck to use as fertiliser will have to pay an annual fee of up to £500 under new government legislation. The regulations come into force on 1 July 2005, and have taken the horse industry by surprise.

Manure from privately kept horses is classed as household waste and will be exempt. But manure from businesses — from livery yards to studs and riding schools — is classified as industrial waste, so the way it is kept, treated and disposed of is currently subject to the Waste Management and Licensing Regulations (1994).

One of the stipulations of these regulations is that muck must be taken away by a licensed remover, unless it is composted on site for use as a fertiliser.

From July, annual charges will be imposed on equestrian businesses that compost muck heaps of more than five tonnes. They will have to install impermeable (concrete) pads beneath muck heaps, with sealed drainage — in other words, a holding tank for liquid that runs off — at a potential further cost of thousands of pounds.

“Horse manure is potentially harmful to the environment and human health, particularly when stored or spread near water — the nitrates from run-off can render water undrinkable,” said a DEFRA spokesman. “It is therefore important that it is dealt with appropriately and safely.”

The average horse produces nine tonnes of manure a year, so although most larger businesses are likely to have their muck heaps removed regularly, composting is a viable and much-used alternative for smaller yards.

A muck heap of less than five tonnes will not incur a charge, but one of between five and 50 tonnes will cost £252 for the first year and £174 thereafter, while 50-400 tonnes will cost £482 for the first year and £402 each year after that.

The funds will be reinvested back into the Environment Agency, according to DEFRA’s spokesman, who added: “There may be exemptions on a case-by-case basis, but individuals will have to speak to their local Environment Agency.”

Duncan Brown, chairman for the Association of British Riding Schools, was unaware of the forthcoming legislation when first contacted by Horse & Hound.

He said: “It will affect riding school proprietors through increased costs. As manure has been spread for as long as land has been farmed, you wonder what the problem is, especially as farmers are being urged to return to organic systems.”

The British Horse Society (BHS) has met with members of DEFRA’s horse team to discuss the issue, but was not made properly aware of the new law. It has asked for clarification, and until then did not want to comment.

Tony Williamson, head of DEFRA’s horse team, said: “We’re working with waste management to ensure this doesn’t present a problem for the horse industry.”

This exclusive news story was first published in Horse & Hound (28 April, ’05)

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Q: Every day I collect all the droppings from my paddocks and put them on a tidy muckheap. I start a new heap every six months. Could you tell me how long I should leave each heap to decompose before I can use it as a fertiliser on the paddocks without spreading worms?

Instructor Juliet Grayson BHSI (SM) replies To be safe, the manure should be composted for 12 months in the typical UK climate.

This allows for the temperature in the manure heap to build up to the point that kills eggs and larvae.

For this reason it is important the manure heap is well built and densely packed together. Spreading manure before the eggs have been killed compounds the problem of worms, as the larvae get spread around the field.

It is generally agreed that the most effective method for managing parasites is to collect the droppings twice a week, and compost them, while maintaining a good worming programme for the horses.