[Goldfinger]

Hi all, Got a quick question....

Is it ok to use horse manure and wood shavings in my plot??

The stables next to where my plot is only use shavings not straw.
So, I thought I could use the rotted 'ish' muck as maybe also a conditioner / bulk up beds.
Or would the muck be too rich etc??

It's my first proper year at it so not had time to build up a compost heap.

Any advice welcomed thanks

[DavidT]

I`d be inclined to stack the manure in a corner out of the way, then spread it in the autumn when you`ve dug the plot.

[slowcompost]

Wood shavings in large amounts are not good, take years to rot down and depending on the wood can affect the soil chemically. 
However mixed with horse muck they may be ok ?

[Goldfinger]

It looks like there's more poo than shavings. you know what some stable people are like, (only remove the poo/pee'd on stuff) so that maybe a benefit to me. I hope......

[BostonInbred]

I make compost with layers of horse poo, sawdust, shredded paper and hedge and grass. Wood shavings are perfect.

[Nikkithefoot]

When I had my horses I bedded them on shavings. I stacked the waste for 18 months and forgot about it. When I went back to it the pile was a shadow of its former self, and looked just like soil.
I would let it compost for a minimum of 12months before putting it on my plot

[maxie]

I would stack it for a couple of years first ive used it myself but now always buy in a trailer load of cow manure,if you can get some of this its much better.

[PAH48]

For the past 3/4 yrs all I've been able to get is horse manure with added wood shavings...
Usually pile it over the plot come autumn time..empty beds ..ready for next/following years potatoe area/beds...so far no problems.
'Cos by spreading it (a) the worms do their duty, (b) the weather does its thing..= most of the wood shavings blow away in the wind....
I also periodically add bags full to the compost heap...them there little wriggles seem to love it....not my cup of tea...prefer coffee....!!

Also keep a pile rotting on..for the following year(s)...as and when needed...by then its good quality..added too the tomato buckets ect...no need to realy buy tom/feed....

Muck is muck....use it properly and you will always get results... have a good season 

[moose]

Ask how old it is or where the oldest stuff is. My local stables have manure thats been there 7 years or more 'cos they can't get rid if it quick enough. The old stuff is like black soil.

[tosca100]

When I had a horse I used mountains of shavings manure on my Mum's garden and always had a great display. She liked to think that Tosca was contributing as a member of the family! Didn't have the heart to tell her there were 20 other horses contributing! We used to dig down to get the really old stuff that was soil.