How do you rot manure ?

can get hold of some horse manure but ive no idea what to so with it after that,,,,, what i need to know is :- do i store it in a container or just pile it up in a heap ? does it need to be covered or do i leave it exposed ? and do i need to turn it ?  Oh! and how long does "well rotted manure" have to rot for   Sorry but im new to this and im also blonde which dosnt help matters,,,,

I'm new to it too, but after building my heap I was advised to cover it. This helps maintain a high temperature to help it rot down, I believe.

To be honest, the three heaps on our allotment are uncovered and seem to rot down fairly quickly (though they are a LOT larger than my own heap!)

I take 'well rotted' to mean - old stuff, not fresh out the animal - it will be too strong and will 'burn' the plants.  So make a heap and leave it for a bit (about six months?) to weather and lose its smell, then use it as a pre-winter dig in. The saying goes about any compost: if you are prepared to pick it up in your hands, it's ready. We just have a big pile and use it when we need it.
(Also take a look here for interest: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2339624)
Oliver

Grow your courgettes in it - just make a hole the size of a washing up bowl in the top of your heap and fill it with soil. Then plant. Watch out for slugs and keep it watered - you will not want for courgettes/squash/pumpkins, depending on what you plant of course...