Healthier Horses
Cleaner Environment

Horse Manure Composting

Aerated Bay Systems (5-40 Horses)

Tour our
operational systems:

With aerated bay composting, we generally design the system with 3 bays - each of which is sized to accommodate between 2 and 3 weeks of manure and bedding. These systems are either "On-Grade" for flat ground farms or they can be "Top-Down" for farms with sloping ground. With a Top-Down system, we are able to utilize gravity to our best advantage by dumping the raw materials from above and behind and then remove the composted material from below and in front.

The 3-bay design lends itself to true flow-through composting. This approach to composting is elegant in its simplicity, as illustrated in the following steps:

  • The first bay is filled over the course of 2 to 3 weeks. When full, the raw materials are covered with a 6-inch layer of finished compost to retain heat, mitigate odors, eliminate flies, and maintain moist conditions throughout the mix of materials. The blower is turned on at this point and cycles on and off 24 hours a day. Our primary objective is to equal or exceed 131°F for 3 days.

  • While Bay #1 is composting, Bay #2 is being filled. When full, the raw materials are covered with a layer of finished compost; the aeration is started; and then the raw materials are delivered to Bay #3.

  • When Bay #3 is nearly full, bay #1 has been actively composting for 30 days or more. At this point, the compost is removed to a separate area for curing and storage. With little effort, Bay #1 is then made ready to receive fresh material. In this way, the process continues in a simple 1-2-3 cycle. Again, all of this takes place without having to turn the compost pile, thereby minimizing equipment time and labor.