Home > Crops & Livestock > Livestock > Horses > Manure Management for Horse Owners [Image: horses] This fact sheet provides a brief overview of some good stewardship practices for horse owners and how they manage their manure. It focuses on three techniques for managing horse manure and bedding: direct application of manure, fertilizer nitrogen enhancement, composting Composting Horse Manure [Image: steamy horse manure] Composting is the acceleration of a natural biological process that converts organic matter into a stable humus-like material. This process is a great way to convert horse manure into a more desirable product. Composting produces a material that can be used as a low-grade fertilizer, mulch for reducing weed infestation, and soil amendment for retaining soil moisture. Environmental Horse Stables and Barns [Image: muddy horse] Louisiana horse owners can reduce the impact of their facilities on local waterways and groundwater by adopting management practices that minimize the potential for non-point source water pollution. Managing Horse Manure for Environmental Benefits [Image: Horse nutrient cycling] Horses are important for companionship, sport, work, pleasure, education, and therapy. To be good stewards of the land, however, horse farmers should manage their farms in a way to minimize the potential for negatively impacting the environment with horse manure  more articles... Proper Nutrition [Image: Grazing Horses] The horse production areas of primary importance are growth, reproduction, lactation and work. Horse Pasture Establishment and Management [Image: horses on pasture] Horses and pastures seem to go together. Pastures provide exercise and a low-cost feed source, but unless productive, they provide only exercise. To achieve both goals, however, they must have a good start. This factsheet will go over some steps that will help. Master Horseman Minute The “Master Horseman Minute” is a series of tips and educational demonstrations developed for continuing education of Master Horseman graduates of the LSU AgCenter Horse Leader development program. Additional segments are planned as the need arises. It is hoped that this program will be a dynamic means of providing video instruction to horsemen of all ages and disciplines. For more information contact: Howard J. Cormier, Southwest Region Equine Agent, hcormier@agcenter.lsu.edu. Managing Horse Stables to Protect Water Quality [Image: horse] Horse property barns and stables may contain large quantities of mud because of excessive traffic. Mud is more than a mess or nuisance. Winter and spring rains can cause mud and manure to runoff into nearby waterways. Nutrients and sediment in runoff are a source of non-point source pollution, which can degrade water quality. Louisiana horse owners can reduce the impact on streams and bayous by specific adopting management practices. Pervious Concrete as a Flooring Material for Horse Handling Areas Pervious concrete may be an alternative surface material for such horse facilities. Pervious concrete is a mixture of the same ingredients, except the sand is reduced or omitted and the amount of water is reduced. A properly installed concrete pad, using pervious concrete, is capable of allowing high volumes of water to permeate through the material. Depending on the aggregate used and the compacted density of the pad, the amount of infiltration of material through the pad can be varied Temporary Fencing for Horse Pasture Efficiency and Environmental Protection [Image: continuous grazing setup] Rotational grazing has long been used by livestock producers as a way to use pasture more efficiently. By dividing large pastures into smaller paddocks, animals make better use of available forage. Additionally, pastures that are not allowed to be grazed down to such an extent that soil erosion can occur protect the environment by preventing sediment loss into adjacent waterways. Louisiana's Horse Industry: An Economic Summary [Image: horse industry] The Louisiana horse industry generated approximately $2.5 billion in economic activity in 2007 through racing, horse shows and recreational activites. Cutting the Cost of Horse Ownership in Tough Financial Times In the current turbulent economic situation, horse owners need information on how to reduce horse maintenance costs in order to be able to keep their horses. Learn what a financially strapped horse owner can do to cut costs and save money with these tips from an economist, an equine specialist, and a horse owner Nutrient Requirements The daily nutrient requirements of the horse are based on a critical need for protein, energy, vitamins, minerals and water, to enable the horse to do a specific job and achieve his genetic and physical capabilities. Basic Horse Training [Image: Teaching body control] The basic handling skills must be taught to every horse to make him safe and enjoyable for the horseman. Regardless of your use of the horse, these handling skills will assist in the development of harmony and cooperation between horse and rider. Click for more information...