It goes without saying that collecting horse manure is critical to maintaining the horses' health and managing odors (ammonia) and flies around the farm. Regular manure removal helps reduce ammonia buildup, which can irritate the horses’ respiratory systems and damage stall surfaces. It also plays a vital role in managing flies, parasites, and unwanted weeds, all of which thrive in manure if left unmanaged.

Whether you manage a small paddock or a large boarding facility, having the right tools for manure collection, separation, and spreading can make a significant difference in both efficiency and environmental impact.

Picking: Pasture Collection

Collecting the manure from the pastures can be accomplished in several different ways. Here are some examples of tools that make the job a little easier:

1. Tow and Collect - See it in action!
2. Paddock Groomer
3. Paddock Blade
4. Pasture Tender - See it in action!
5. Nifty Picker 
6. Super Scooper (Australia) - See it in action! 
7. Greystone Manure Vacuum
8. Muck Truck - See it in action!
9. Paddock Cleaner (UK) - See it in action!

Separating: Stall Bedding & Compost Screening

Separating manure from stall bedding can be accomplished in several different ways. Here are five examples of manure separation tools that you can use:

1. Brockwood Stall Shi*ter (US) - See it in action!
2. The Shaker - See it in action!
3. Stall Shaker (DIY)
4. Shake'n Fork - See it in action!
5. Manure Sifter (Australia) 

Once the horse manure has been composted, these same stall management tools can be used to separate out the remaining "lumps and bumps" from the fine compost. The nutrients and beneficial micro-organisms are mostly found in the lumps and bumps and these can be returned to your pastures or used in your garden.

Remember: Due to the heat of composting, the pathogens, parasites, and weed seeds in the raw manure have all been destroyed, making your compost safe to use.

The fine (screened) fraction can then be used back in the stall as a component of your stall bedding. In a study completed several years ago, using horse manure in the stalls has significant horse-hoof benefits, as discussed in this Snohomish Conservation District video.

Spreading: Reapplying Finished Compost

Manure spreaders can also be used to reapply the compost back in the pastures. Here are some examples:

1. Countyline 10 Bushel Manure Spreader - See it in action!
2. Millcreek Manure Spreader - See it in action!
3. Earth & Turf 320 - See it in action!
4. EcoLawn Top Dresser ECO250 - See it in action!

The Importance of Effective Horse Manure Composting

Using the right tools to collect, separate, and spread manure efficiently is a critical part of this process. However, effective composting turns waste into a valuable resource that supports pasture growth and reduces harmful runoff. 

Read our horse manure composting guide to explore proven composting systems, practical tools, and step-by-step methods for turning raw manure into a valuable resource for your farm.