There are a number of factors that will determine how much horse, or any other manure or any other nutrient source you can use, but the only way to know that is with a good, reliable soil test. What is the humus level in your soil? How is the balance of Phosphorus, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Sulfur, Boron, and Copper?

If the manure has been sitting around for a year, it is perfectly safe to use. It has in effect been composted over this period of time but the process is more like a static or cold compost. Despite what others would have you believe, it DOES contain nutrients and will make a very good amendment to any planting area. Unless you are able to ID the critters specifically as bad guys, I would not necessarily be overly concerned about beetles or their grubs being present. Most ground beetles are considered garden beneficials and these are also the types that tend to populate piles of dung or manure as well. Pill bugs tend to feed primarily on rotting organic matter - that's why they like your compost pile - but they can also eat the roots of tender young plants. I wouldn't be concerned about them either unless you see them in high numbers in your planting beds.

A few days in I felt the pile through the tarp on top, I could feel some good heat. The top of the tarp has cooled down since. Because of daylight saving time I was able to have light to turn the pile in the morning today. It's been 9 days since the pile was built. I used a flat-tined fork to do most of the work. it was quite smelly at times. There was no wind at all so the fumes wafted into my face. Not good, once the smell was intense enough that I actually could taste the fermenting horse poo. Yuk. The pile is looking quite nice. The interior was very hot, I could feel it radiating. It steamed nicely. While turning it my less-than-enthusiastic son sprayed the pile with water and occasionally broke up the chunks. A few years ago I adjusted the plumbing so I could have hot water outside, this was for the kids to play in the sprinkler on slightly cooler days. Didn't think it would be so handy for the compost. This is the original pile with the wire removed. It had sagged about 3 inches within the enclosure over 9 days. You can see the steam. You can also see the lack of wind. I wish there was a little, the smell hurt. On Halloween I added a large amount of pumpkin guts with seeds. These seeds sprouted. Pretty cool! They are now deep in the pile so they will die. I guess these seeds are now officially called "malted pumpkin seeds". Anyone make whiskey out of these ever? Here is after turning. The pile is a lot smaller, probably 20% loss.

Thanks, everyone! Barb, I've collected numerous bags from Starbuck's so far but they don't save it regularly... they throw it all away!!! What a travesty! I did a little research and dbm2009 is right that adding already composted material will provide more of the micro-organisms that break stuff down. tiffy_z5_6_can, I'm in Atlanta... Unfortunately, I'm about four hours to the beach or else I'd be all over the seaweed!!! I did, however, find a horse rescue farm nearby that gives away manure for free!!!! Heading there tomorrow to pick up a few bags of it. My wife is thrilled!!!