Horse Manure and the effects on the Baltic Sea

Horse manure is an overlooked yet significant diffuse source of nutrients leaking into the Baltic Sea. With relatively minor measures, especially more frequent mucking of pastures and paddocks, this leakage can be substantially reduced. In cooperation with key stakeholders, Race For The Baltic engaged with the horse community and launched the initiative “Varje Skit Räknas” in Sweden. The purpose of this initiative is to increase knowledge about the impact of horse manure on eutrophication and to encourage Sweden's horse keepers to improve their processes to minimise nutrient leakages.

The horse industry is important for Sweden. Horse riding is Sweden's third largest youth sport, and horses help preserve the landscape's biological diversity, culture, and beauty. At the same time, Sweden has more horses than milk cows, and horse manure is estimated to leak 80 tons of phosphorus into the Baltic Sea every year. This represents a substantial portion of the phosphorus reduction target Sweden has committed to and has been working on for decades.

To explore potential solutions, RFTB began investigating where the main leakage occurred and what the most efficient remedy would be. Early in the project, RFTB conducted a study that showed removing manure from paddocks on a weekly basis could halve the leakage. In cooperation with the horse community, horse media, and horse influencers, RFTB launched the initiative “Varje Skit Räknas.” The purpose was to raise awareness of the impact of horse manure on eutrophication and to measure the results of the campaign. Furthermore, the project worked on long-term results by engaging public water advisors, national authorities, HELCOM, politicians, and equine science education programs.

In 2023, the latest campaign was completed and followed up with a market survey among horse keepers in Sweden to establish benchmark values comparable to those related to horse manure practices before the campaign. Compared to pre-campaign levels, the survey results indicate a continued reduction of more than 2 000 kg of phosphorus leaking into the Baltic Sea. This reduction is sufficient to decrease algae blooms by 2 000 tonnes [1], equivalent to the impact of 75 average wetlands [2]. Additionally, the results indicate that a higher percentage of the horse community muck with the intention of making a positive impact on the environment and reducing the risk of nutrient leakage from paddocks and winter pastures.

[1] Calculation made by Finnish Environmental Institute for John Nurminen Foundation [2] Average effect within Landsbygdsprogrammet 2,6 - 4,5 kg P/ha according to Jordbruksverket, Rapport 2015:7 “Näringsavskiljning i anlagda våtmarker i jordbruket”. 2 tonnes P would equal 75 wetlands of 6 acres each.

Project Activities

• Data collection and analysis to understand leakage potential and pathways

• Field studies to verify efficiencies in measures

• Roundtable discussions, workshops, and field studies together with key stakeholders

• Communication campaign to spread information about the importance of mucking

• Collaboration with social media influencers

• Knowledge sharing to authorities, water advisors, and education institutions

• Policy work towards national politicians and HELCOM