Orchard Equine Retirement - Est 1988
Providing Premier Full Care Retirement For Your Horse & Peace of Mind to You
570.345.3846
Manure Management
Turning Waste into "Black Gold"
We practice rapid composting to convert the horse manure and bedding produced on the farm into a product that can be used to improve the soil of farms' many perennial beds, nurture the trees and shrubs, and fertilize the pastures.
combination of carbon - bedding material- and nitrogen- urine and feces- results in the pile reaching temperatures of 175 degrees and higher.
Doesn't the manure pile smell?
A properly managed compost pile does not smell.
If a manure pile smells, it is a sign of too much moisture or a lack of oxygen in the pile.
We cover the pile to control the amount of moisture in the pile.
We turn the pile as often as every 24 hours to maintain the aerobic bacteria that generates heat
Don't flies breed in the manure pile?
The compost pile reaches temperatures of 175 degrees and higher, too high a temperature for flies to breed.
The outside of the pile is not as hot and flies can lay their eggs in the outer layer, however the turning of the pile every 24 hours prevents the hatching of fly larvae, and if by chance any larvae were to hatch the flock of chickens is always on patrol on the manure pile for something tasty to eat, whether it be a grain from the straw bedding, a dropped piece of feed, or insect larvae.
What do you do with the finished product?
The finished product is used to:
enrich the soil in our pastures;
fertilize the pastures
mixed with seed to overseed the pastures
enrich perennial garden soils
to plant trees and shrubs
mulch gardens
share with neighbors
Our finished compost is used when we plant trees and shrubs. It is used when we add plants to our perennial borders. It is also used as mulch for our borders which enriches and fertilizes the soil. We use our finished compost to overseed our pastures which also fertilizes the pastures.
A picture is worth a thousand words and the pictures below demonstrate how well our property enjoys properly composted horse manure.
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Reserve Your Horse's Retirement Today
Peace of Mind is Priceless.
At Orchard Equine Retirement we have been providing Full Care Horse Retirement since 1988. We know that retiring horses is so much more than turning a horse out in a pasture.
Much more. We understand and respect the special relationship owners have with their horses. We understand how difficult it is to separate from your partner and friend.
We've been there. Lying awake at night wondering if they are being fed properly. If they are standing out in the weather, or are they comfortable inside their box stall or run in shed with their buddies.
It is that very relationship with a horse named Prince and the failed search for a horse retirement farm where he could safely retire, that inspires us to this day.
We look forward to discussing the retirement you want for your horse. Please include your horse's name in your message!
Our Rates
We offer flat rate and itemized billing. Clients choose which method best suits their horse's needs and their preferences. Call or send a message to reserve your horse's retirement at the farm that continues to set the standard in horse retirement.
Sincerely,
Christine, Jack, and Sarah
Orchard Equine Retirement