Manure management plan for your stable: rules and permits

Why a manure management plan is mandatory

Horse-keeping operations fall under manure legislation because horse manure contains nitrogen and phosphate. As soon as you keep more than three horses, most municipalities require you to record how much manure you produce and how you dispose of or use it. A manure management plan is the central document for this. It shows the annual manure production, where the manure is stored, and who collects it. Municipalities and the NVWA may request this plan during an inspection. Applying for a permit to expand your stable? An up-to-date manure management plan is almost always a required attachment.

Calculating manure production per horse

Manure production per horse depends on weight, diet, and the amount of straw or sawdust in the stall. RVO uses a standard norm of approximately 7,000 kilograms of manure per adult horse per year. Ponies count for less, often around 3,000 kilograms. For a stable with five adult horses, this means a total annual production of approximately 35,000 kilograms, or 35 tonnes. You use this figure in your manure management plan and when determining whether your manure storage is large enough. Always align the calculation with the actual situation in your stable.

Storage capacity: a minimum of six months

The law requires you to have sufficient storage capacity for at least six months of manure production. For five horses producing 35 tonnes per year, this means manure storage of at least 17.5 tonnes. A manure container or pit must be liquid-tight and must not be located too close to a property boundary, watercourse, or residence. The exact distance requirements are set out in the Decree on Activities in the Living Environment (Bal), which as of 2024 replaces the Activities Decree. Check with your municipality whether additional local rules apply.

Permit requirements: when do you need one?

Not every stable requires an environmental permit, but there are clear thresholds. Check the following situations:

• More than 50 horses: often subject to a permit requirement as an intensive livestock operation
• Construction or expansion of manure storage larger than 150 m³: environmental permit required
• Proximity to a Natura 2000 area: AERIUS nitrogen calculation mandatory
• Location in a groundwater protection area: additional requirements from the province
• Commercial horse-keeping operation (livery yard, stud farm): environmental notification or permit required

Arranging and documenting manure disposal

If you dispose of manure to a contractor, arable farmer, or manure processor, you must keep proper records. Horse manure is not subject to mandatory weighing via a weighing system as with cattle, but you must be able to demonstrate where the manure goes. Retain delivery notes, invoices, or written agreements for at least five years. If you spread manure on your own land, the application standards for nitrogen and phosphate apply. In 2025, the application standard for grassland on sandy soil is 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year. Never spread manure during vulnerable periods, such as when the ground is frozen or during heavy rainfall.

Practical checklist for your manure management plan

• Record the number of horses and ponies and their average weight
• Calculate the annual manure production using the RVO standards
• Check whether your manure storage meets the six-month requirement
• Ask your municipality whether you are subject to a notification or permit requirement
• Document all manure disposal in writing and retain records for five years
• Carry out an AERIUS calculation if you are located near a Natura 2000 area

EquiSight helps you keep track

In the EquiSight horse profile, you record basic data per horse such as weight and stabling period. Combine this with notes in your calendar to track when manure was removed and by whom. EquiCoach can help you with questions about calculation methods or to check which rules apply to your situation. This keeps your manure administration clear and ensures you are always ready for an inspection.