Turning horse manure into nutrient-rich fertiliser with Actiferm
Horse manure is one of the most valuable organic resources available on farms and equestrian facilities. Yet too often, it is treated as a waste product rather than a biological asset.
From an Agriton perspective, the goal is not simply to “dispose” of manure through heat and breakdown, but to stabilise, ferment and enhance it biologically, turning it into a living input that supports soil health from the ground up.
With the help of solutions such as Actiferm, horse manure can be guided through a more controlled process—reducing losses, minimising odours, and preserving valuable nutrients—while supporting a more regenerative approach to farming.
In this blog, we explore how horse manure can be transformed into a high-quality fertiliser, and how a biology-first approach improves both efficiency and outcome.
Horse manure naturally contains essential nutrients required for plant growth, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is also rich in organic matter, which plays a vital role in improving soil structure, water retention and microbial life.
However, the way manure is handled determines whether these nutrients are retained and enhanced—or lost to the environment.
Traditional composting focuses on aerobic decomposition, often relying on heat to break material down. While this can be effective, it can also lead to:
Loss of nitrogen through volatilisation
Drying out of valuable organic matter
Inconsistent breakdown, particularly in carbon-heavy mixes
From a Bokashi perspective, this approach is only part of the picture.
A Different Approach: Fermentation Before Breakdown
Rather than relying solely on heat and oxidation, the Agriton system promotes a fermentation-led process, where organic material is first stabilised using beneficial microorganisms.
This is particularly important with horse manure, which often includes bedding such as straw or wood shavings. These materials create a high carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, making traditional composting slower and less efficient.
Fresh horse manure can also contain:
Weed seeds
Pathogens
Parasitic worm eggs
If unmanaged, these can persist and re-enter the soil system.
By introducing beneficial microbes early in the process, manure can be pre-digested and stabilised, reducing these risks while conserving nutrients.
Challenges of Managing Horse Manure
Horse yards and farms generate significant volumes of manure daily. Without a biological approach, manure heaps can:
Produce strong odours
Attract flies and pests
Leach nutrients into watercourses
Lose valuable nitrogen to the atmosphere
Traditional systems often require frequent turning and careful moisture control, yet still struggle with inconsistency—particularly where bedding content is high.
How Actiferm Supports a Biology-Led System
Actiferm fits within the wider Agriton philosophy by supporting controlled microbial activity, rather than uncontrolled decomposition.
Instead of encouraging rapid, high-temperature breakdown alone, Actiferm helps guide the process towards a more balanced, efficient and nutrient-preserving outcome.
Accelerated stabilisation
The microbial activity supported by Actiferm begins working immediately, helping to condition and break down manure in a more controlled way.
Odour reduction
Rather than putrefaction (rotting), Actiferm promotes beneficial microbial pathways, significantly reducing unpleasant smells.
Improved nutrient preservation
By reducing volatilisation and leaching, more of the original nutrient value is retained within the final material.
Support for pathogen suppression
A balanced microbial environment helps limit the survival of harmful organisms, weed seeds and parasite eggs.
From Manure to Fertiliser: A Smarter Process
Converting horse manure into a valuable fertiliser does not need to rely solely on heat or long composting times. By introducing a biological approach from the outset, the process becomes more efficient and more consistent.
Step 1: Collect the manure
Gather manure from stables, including bedding. Recognise that this mix is carbon-rich and requires biological balancing.
Step 2: Build the heap or storage system
Create a structured heap in a suitable area. Unlike traditional systems, the focus is on managing biology, not just pile size or temperature.
Step 3: Apply Actiferm
Apply Actiferm as recommended to initiate microbial activity and begin stabilisation.
Step 4: Manage moisture and structure
Maintain a moist, well-structured heap. Excessive drying should be avoided, as moisture supports microbial life.
Step 5: Allow biological transformation
Over time, the material will transition into a stable, nutrient-rich amendment. Rather than being “burnt out” by heat, it retains biological value and integrates more effectively into the soil.
Benefits of a Bokashi-Aligned Approach
By shifting from a purely decomposition-led mindset to a biology-first system, farms can achieve:
Greater nutrient retention
Reduced odour and emissions
Improved consistency in manure management
Enhanced soil biology when applied
A more regenerative, closed-loop system
Supporting Regenerative Farming
Recycling horse manure is not just about waste management—it is about rebuilding soil health and biological function.
Through the use of Actiferm, and by aligning with Bokashi principles, manure becomes more than compost. It becomes a living input, supporting microbial life both in storage and in the soil.
This approach reduces waste, protects nutrients, and helps farms move towards more sustainable and regenerative practices.
Managing horse manure does not have to be a challenge. With the right biological tools and understanding, it becomes an opportunity—to improve soils, support crop performance, and close the loop within the farming system.
