Introduction
Horse manure can be transformed into efficient, eco-friendly fire briquettes that rival wood and charcoal.This manual walks you through each step from collection to combustion so you can produce, store, and burn manure briquettes safely and effectively.
Harness renewable farm waste and reduce your heating costs while minimizing landfill contributions. This is a comprehensive detailed description for making horse manure briquettes. Our associate Maureen Webb makes a much more refined method. (all the italic items in this list are additional suggestions to how Maureen makes her Horse Manure briquettes).

• Safety Considerations
• Before you begin, review these key safety guidelines:
• Always wear gloves, a dust mask, and safety goggles when handling dry manure and binders.
• Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling dust or ammonia vapours.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or water source nearby when testing briquettes.
• Wash hands and tools thoroughly after each session to prevent pathogen spread.

• Tools & Materials
• Gather everything you’ll need to streamline production:
• Briquette Press:  Multimate Briquette Maker MK-II or MK-V
• Drying Equipment: Sun-drying racks, greenhouse, or dehydrator
• Mixing Containers: Large buckets or wheelbarrow
• Shredding/Grinding Tool: Hoe, shovel, or small hammer mill.
• Scale or Measuring Bucket: For consistent ratios.
• Binders: Sawdust, paper pulp, or clay 
• Water Supply: For adjusting moisture content.

1.  Preparing the Manure
   Collect fresh horse manure daily; mix bedding (straw/shavings) is okay.
   Spread manure in a thin layer (5–7 cm) on a tarp or drying rack.
   Let it air-dry for 5–7 days, turning every 48 hours to ensure even drying.
   When it breaks apart easily by hand and moisture feels < 20%, it’s ready for grinding
2. Grinding & Screening Optional Break dried clumps with a hoe or hammer or mixing paddle mill to particles = 5 mm.Sift ground manure through a coarse screen (10 mm mesh) to remove large debris.Collect fine particles, discard or compost oversized fragments.Aim for uniform texture to ensure dense, consistent briquettes. 
3. Mixing & Binding
   Achieving the right binder ratio is crucial for briquette strength and burn quality.
   Combine manure and binder in a mixing container.
   Gradually add water while stirring to form a pliable, non-sticky dough.
   Rest the mixture for 10 minutes to let water distribute evenly. 
4. Pressing Briquettes Fill the press mold with mixture, packing firmly by hand.
   Begin the pressing by lowering the pressure plate and compress the briquette, add more mixture to make the finished briquette about 75mm thick.
   Apply pressure until material extrudes as a smooth, solid log or block.
   Carefully eject the briquette onto a clean drying surface. 
5. Drying & Curing
   Proper drying prevents mould and ensures complete combustion:
   Place briquettes on drying racks with 2–3 cm spacing.
   Air-dry under sun for 7–10 days, turning every 48 hours.
   For faster results, use a dehydrator set to 60 °C for 12–24 hours.
   Briquettes are ready when they snap cleanly and weigh < 75% of fresh weight
6. Storing Briquettes
   Maintain quality and safety in storage:
   Store in a dry, ventilated shed or airtight bins with silica gel packs.
   Stack briquettes on pallets to keep off damp concrete.
   Inspect monthly for mould or insect infestation; discard compromised units. 
7. Burning & UsageHorse manure briquettes light easily and burn steadily:
   Pre-heat a small fire bed with kindling or starter cubes.
   Nestle briquettes on the embers, allowing edges to catch flame.
   Adjust airflow to maintain a temperature of 350–500 °C.
   Expect 2–3 hours of consistent heat per briquette, comparable to hard  wood logs.   
8. Troubleshooting Maureen has had little or no problems.
   Common issues and quick fixes:
   Crumbly Briquettes: Increase binder by 5% or reduce drying time slightly.
   Poor Ignition: Pre-drill small holes through briquette for better airflow. Using the wooden dowel available for the MK-V press
   Mould Growth: Ensure initial moisture was < 20% and store in drier. conditions.
   Low Heat Output: Blend in 10% wood chips or shredded paper for extra energy.