I'd not be the best to discuss the specifics of cow or horse manure, because frankly I don't get near any poo that isn't absolutely necessary. I would consider it a good start for a compost.

Does your local municipality have a composting (yard waste) service where you pay for yard waste to be removed, and then can buy the compost from them as well? That would be an excellent source. Otherwise, Home Depot probably has a general compost. Since I went the local source, I don't know brands, but if you chose 4 diferent brands to complement your manure you'll be fine. Frankly though, at $30 per cubic yard for most local municipal sources it's a much cheaper solution.

Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's garden adventure

Bone meal and blood meals are not compost. Blood meal is very high in nitrogen. Bone meal is high in phosphorus. Blood meal will burn plants if not applied properly. You do not need all those many different forms of compost, you simply need compost. Is there any reason why you can't start making compost in own yard? Good soil and ammending it yearly with compost is really all thats need for good gardening production. Having a soil test done initially helps, with all the peat moss you guys have added to make Mels mix, the soil will be somewhat acidic, that is why in his original book he suggests adding lime. I am in zone 7 and have been growing my vegetables by square footing since 1983. Initially in my first house I went by the book, this house now that I've had for the past 10 years, I still grow my veggies by the square foot method, but did NOT buy all that peat moss and vermiculite, instead I just bought good old top soil, and the first year here we built compost bins and have been adding compost 2 times a year. In the summer I mulch the beds with a green grass clippings, not too thickly but enough to cover the soil so it helps on not having to water so much and also feeds the soil as it breaks down. I have 6 4x4 beds, 1 5x10 and 3 3x3 beds. No vermiculite, no peat, just good soil and home made compost. I hope that helps you some what.
Alberta

I also had a very, very difficult time finding compost (in South Central PA). I checked Lowe's, Home Depot, Wal-mart, and plenty of local nurseries to no avail. The only thing I could come up with was manure with and without humus. After lots of internet searching and many telephone calls I was able to find a neaby municipality that sells compost for $15 a cubic yard. In addition, I was able to find that several places that specialize in mulch carry mushroom soil (AKA mushroom compost). At only $21-23 a cubic yard to pick it up, I thought the price was very reasonable. The moral of my story...keep calling around and searching and you should be able to find something. Good luck with your search and your garden.

Oh...and don't forget to contact your local Starbucks because participating stores will give you spent coffee grounds for free. You can add a small amount of these in with some other forms of compost. Hope this helps.