The research project "Resource Horse Manure" is a two-and-a-half-year project funded by the Ministry of Food, Rural Areas and Consumer Protection Baden-Württemberg. It is a collaborative project involving the Main and State Stud Marbach, the University of Hohenheim, and the University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Environment Nürtingen-Geislingen.
The goal of the "Resource Horse Manure" project is to explore various utilization possibilities for horse manure, with particular consideration of storage capacity, nutrient availability, labor management, energy use, and hygiene parameters. The aim is to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each utilization method and to generate practical solutions for the sustainable use of horse manure based on the findings. Additionally, general recommendations for horse farms will be derived.
The project is divided into four research subprojects with different focus areas.
Focus Area 1: Composting of Horse Manure
Investigation of the composting process of horse manure, focusing on:
- Storage requirements after different processing steps
- Nutrient content
- Energy utilization possibilities
- Hygiene parameters
- Labor management
Focus Area 2: Use of Combination Mulchers and Rot Accelerators on Pastures
Investigation of the impact of using a combination mulcher and rot accelerator on pastures with regard to:
- Improvement of the rot process
- Sanitization of the pasture
Focus Area 3: Horse Manure in Biogas Plants
Investigation of the impact of the biogas process on:
- Hygiene status of the digestate
- Return of plant nutrients to the horse farm
Focus Area 4: Composting of Horse Manure in the Stable
Investigation of the use of rot accelerators in group housing, focusing on:
- Rotting process
- Stable climate factors
- Hygiene parameters
- Mattress volume / amount of manure
- Labor management
- Hoof health
