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[Joan Deutsch]

Just got an e-mail from Alayne Blickle of Horses for Clean Water. The issue of urine smell in gravel paddocks came up yesterday on our Live Blog. Here's a product that she likes as it doesn't create the muck and mud that we've had from other products:

The product is EM-1, microbial inoculant. I purchased it from Arbico Organics. http://www.arbico-organics.com/product/177 It was very easy to use and really works well to reduce urine odor in horse paddocks.


Here's the description:
Uses: It is generally known that beneficial microorganisms help break down organic matter in the soil and may improve tilth. Organisms in EM-1 combine with organisms that are already present in the environment to promote growth of beneficial microorganisms. EM-1, an OMRI listed product, can be applied to soils, crop residues, or cover crops before they are incorporated into the soil.

Directions: Mix EM-1 with 1,000 parts of water. Apply 1 gallon to one acre. For small areas, 1 qt. = 10,000 sq. ft, 8 oz. = 2,500 sq. ft. Apply by spraying the mixture on soil, crop residues or cover crops before they are incorporated into the soil. Irrigate after application or apply after rain. Mixture can be diluted to 1: 10,000 if injected through irrigation systems. Repeat application every 14-21 days during crop growth to achieve optimum results.

Storage: Stores for up to 6 months at 50-85 degrees F. Avoid exposure to light, dust and air. Keep container closed. Do not use if foul odor is present.

[4h-mom]

Thank you for passing that along. I found out that the Sweet PDZ for paddocks is only available in this state in Kent and Olympia because it's still experimental.

[gntlmnrancher]

"Storage: Stores for up to 6 months at 50-85 degrees F. Avoid exposure to light, dust and air. Keep container closed. Do not use if foul odor is present"..........huh?!!! I thought that was why I was going to use it!!!
But seriously, you just spray this stuff on the gravel area of the paddock?

[Joan Deutsch]

Too funny about the directions! When I order the stuff, I'll ask the company what they meant to say about the product. Yes, you spray it all over the gravel. But, I was thinking of just spraying the areas where our horses go. Both boys have one spot each, and the princess has two.

[gntlmnrancher]

I'm quite sure that my 3 just go wherever they happen to be standing..inside, outside..doesn't matter...typical boys

[kriss10]

We had been having a problem with a section of our barnyard, right under the gutter, being really soft and mushy and smelly. This was particularly annoying because we went to all the trouble to put in a perforated drain pipe and covered it with gravel and put up the gutters to help with the water problems. Well, come to find out that when the SO was cleaning the stall, he was just sweeping the leftover sawdust/pellets out into the dirt. This is why it was getting so mushy and smelly. He dug it all out, which was a huge undertaking, and filled it back in with rock. I think he has learned his lesson, so I guess we will see if this will help with the mess.

[gntlmnrancher]

Hey Joan- any update on whether or not that product EM-1 is working to reduce the urine odor in your paddock? The odor in ours got better, but that was just due to the amount of rain that we had..since it looks like we have a 6-7 day dry stretch coming, I'm sure the smell will be back.

[booksngardens]

I'm curious about EM-1, also...the only good thing about the rain is that it washed the smell away.

[cassyopia]

I started just sprinkling baking soda on the urine places and the smell is gone now. I did this in the stall not outside and it isn't toxic to human/animal or environment but sure does the job well.

[Joan Deutsch]

We actually haven't had an odor since we added new gravel last fall. It usually takes awhile for the aroma to re-surface after we add new footing. That's an interesting point about the rain washing away the odor, because I hadn't noticed that in the past. Does anyone have a urine odor now? Can't wait to try the new EM-1, though. It says to apply with a watering can or any sprayer.

Cassy, glad to hear the baking soda worked. Someone had told me that it would take a tremendous amount but sounds like that's not the case?