Can You Burn Horse Manure? An In-Depth Look at Using Manure as Fuel

As a horse owner you’re probably all too familiar with the large amounts of manure produced by these animals on a daily basis. While composting is a popular way to put all that poop to good use some may wonder – can you burn horse manure as an alternate disposal method?

The short answer is yes, it is possible to burn horse manure under the right conditions. However there are some important factors to consider before putting manure in your burn pile. Let’s take an in-depth look at using horse manure as a fuel source.

Why Burn Horse Manure?

For farms generating tons of manure, burning can seem like an easy way to get rid of waste in bulk Some potential benefits include

• Reducing large piles quickly. Manure is bulky and space-consuming when stockpiled.

• Avoiding the need to compost or spread. Burning eliminates labor for these processes.

• Utilizing manure as a heat source. Once thoroughly dry, manure can produce energy when burned.

However, significant disadvantages may outweigh these marginal advantages, so burning manure should not be the first choice for waste management.

Challenges of Burning Manure

Research shows that fresh manure is not ideal for burning. Some key reasons why include:

• High moisture content – Fresh manure can be up to 80% water. This slows combustion.

• Low heat value – The high moisture results in very low caloric content for generating useful heat.

• Nitrogen oxide emissions – Manure releases harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide when burned.

• Slow burning – Damp manure smolders instead of properly burning. Complete combustion takes a very long time.

• Offensive odors – Smoldering and incomplete burning creates strong ammonia and other foul odors.

• Excess ash – More residue remains after burning than with wood fuels.

Best Practices for Burning Manure

Given the drawbacks, burning manure requires careful preparation and conditions to be worthwhile as an alternate disposal solution:

• Allow manure to dry thoroughly first. Manure straight from the stable will not burn efficiently.

• Blend manure with wood shavings or sawdust for better burning. This helps airflow and provides more carbon.

• Mix in coal or wood chips to support combustion. The additional biomass makes manure burn hotter and faster.

• Create small, loose piles for better air circulation while drying. Dense piles resist drying.

• Monitor moisture levels and only burn the completely dried portions. Use a moisture meter if needed.

• Avoid burning during wet or humid weather which re-wets manure.

• Be considerate of neighbors – site burn piles strategically to direct smoke.

Even with excellent drying techniques, manure still poses risks like pollution, lingering odors and incomplete burning. As such, burning should not be the primary manure management system.

Is Burning Manure Legal?

Before burning any significant quantity of manure, check your local and state ordinances. Many areas prohibit or restrict burning manure and agricultural wastes.

Potential legal concerns include:

• Air quality violations due to smoke, ash, and odors.

• Health hazards from nitrogen oxide emissions or uncontrolled fires.

• Nuisance regulations against offensive smells or smoke.

• Waste disposal codes preferring composting over incineration.

Fines for illegal burning can be hefty. In some cases, the relevant environmental or agricultural department may be able to provide permits for limited manure burning. But the red tape is extensive.

Alternatives to Burning Manure

When burning horse manure is impractical or prohibited, focus instead on these eco-friendly solutions:

• Compost in designated bins to create a valuable soil amendment.

• Spread manure to fertilize fields, exercising caution not to over-apply.

• Offer manure to gardeners to use offsite for their composting.

• Connect with farmers who may take manure for their crops.

• Sell manure to nurseries, landscapers, and compost operations.

• Investigate manure power generation systems to convert waste to electricity.

The challenges often outweigh the benefits when contemplating burning horse manure. While possible under the right dry conditions, it generally offers minimal usefulness. Instead, reuse and recycling methods make better use of manure’s potential as a resource. With some initiative and planning, you can manage manure in ways that are sustainable, legal, and economically smart for your horse farm.