Waste Challenges
Large equestrian communities, racetracks, and horse shows have ongoing issues of what to do with equine waste and where to dispose the material properly. Many locations that house large equine populations are in actuality CAFOs/AFOs but are not required by law to follow the EPA regulations which are imposed on other livestock. The rise in popularity of equine venues and the development of year round horse shows and racing is the reason for this increase. As seen in videos below, this is a real problem that will eventually lead to far reaching environmental damages.
Equine bedding is used for comfort and to absorb urine and as a result it contains contaminants and pharmaceuticals. The wood shavings are high in carbon, and the manure and urine contain phosphates and nitrates. Unprocessed horse waste is detrimental to our waterways, air quality, causes noxious odors and creates a breeding ground for insects that can transmit diseases to humans and animals. In mass quantities, this waste is no different than human waste, and poses threats if not handled and processed properly.
Equine bedding is used for comfort and to absorb urine and as a result it contains contaminants and pharmaceuticals. The wood shavings are high in carbon, and the manure and urine contain phosphates and nitrates. Unprocessed horse waste is detrimental to our waterways, air quality, causes noxious odors and creates a breeding ground for insects that can transmit diseases to humans and animals. In mass quantities, this waste is no different than human waste, and poses threats if not handled and processed properly.
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Florida Algae Bloom
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The 2016 blue green algae crisis was disastrous for the state of Florida. Many pollutants, and runoff from agriculture contributed to the cause. Predominantly overlooked another factor is horse waste spread on fields and near canals that feed main waterways. Improperly stored, and/or raw land applied equine waste can leach into aquifers causing ground water contamination, odors, insect breeding and disease. When droughts occur in Florida it is the perfect setup for disaster. Sudden rainfalls combined with culprits that remain uncorrected can once again trigger algae blooms. This has been evidenced by the reoccurrence in 2018. The impact to resorts cause economic damages and environmental effects are catastrophic.
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Fecal Coliform
TMDL Levels should be under 400/100ml … the highest concentrations were 33,000/100ml – test samples were taken from January – April … the height of the equestrian season in Palm Beach County, Florida
The West Palm Beach Canal waterbody was verified impaired for fecal coliform because more than 10% of the values exceeded the Class III waterbody criterion of 400 counts per 100 milliliters (counts/100mL) for fecal coliform. To ensure that the fecal coliform TMDL was developed based on current conditions in the canal and that recent trends in the canal’s water quality were adequately captured, monitoring data collected from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2011 were used to develop the TMDL. High fecal coliform concentrations exceeding the fecal coliform criterion of 400 counts/100mL were observed in January - April. It should be noted that the highest fecal coliform concentrations were observed in February (8,636 counts/100mL) and April (33,000 counts/100mL).
Commonly Used Medications
Banamine, Phenylbutazone (Bute), Dexamethasone, Magnesium, Zimectrim, Strongid, Panacur, Ivermectin, Equimax, Safeguard, Lasix (Furosemide), Xylazine, Dormosedan, Acepromazine, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim DS (SMZ-TMP DS), Winstrol, Equipoise, Adequan, Legend (Hyaluronate), DMSO, Equioxx, SURPASS, Genocin, Gentamicin, Torbugesic, Reserpine, RVI (Rubeola Virus Immunomodulator), Azium Powder, Naxcel, Naquasone, Penicillin, Doxycycline, GASTROGUARD (Omeprazole), Isoxsuprine, Marquis Antiprotozoal, Regu-Mate® (Altrenogest Solution 0.22%), Progesterone, Thyroid-L Powder Levothyroxine Sodium Powder, Ventipulmin (Clenbuterol HCL Syrup), Robaxin (Methocarbamol), Cortisone, Antihistamine, Tryptophan, Thiamine, Hydrochloride, Pitcher Plant, Ketophen, Aspirin
The Effects of Medications— Journal of Environmental Quality
Antibiotic Resistance Concerns:
Antibiotics leached into groundwater affect natural bacteria. Because of well-documented cases of antibiotic resistance in hospitals and other settings, many scientists are studying the potential effects of antibiotics in the environment and the potential spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Other potential adverse effects on native bacterial populations in the environment remain less commonly studied.
Antibiotics leached into groundwater affect natural bacteria. Because of well-documented cases of antibiotic resistance in hospitals and other settings, many scientists are studying the potential effects of antibiotics in the environment and the potential spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Other potential adverse effects on native bacterial populations in the environment remain less commonly studied.
Nitrogen Cycles May Be Affected:
It is clear from this study that inhibition of critical ecological functions such as denitrification can occur when native denitrifying bacteria are exposed to environmentally relevant doses of SMX. Denitrification is the microbially facilitated process that converts nitrate to nitrogen gas, the main component of the earth’s atmosphere. Denitrification also plays a key role in soil fertility as well as in natural assimilation of nitrate pollution. The implication that these processes may be taking place in nature where wastewaters are entering water resources is of global importance to environmental and, by association, human health.
Sulfamethoxazole is found in all the body excretions, especially in the urine, and is rapidly excreted in most animals. The two sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethazine) and trimethoprim were found to be most toxic to plant growth in soil.
Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are routinely fed to swine, poultry and dairy cattle. Residues of antibiotics and other drugs, such as Ivermectin, a popular worming medication, have been found in animal manures, and traces of these drugs can be found in plants grown in soil where residue-laden manure was applied. In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality in October, 2005, Kumar et.al. found that antibiotic residues were detected in green onions, corn and cabbages grown with the addition of manure containing antibiotic residues. In another article in the same publication, Chandler et.al. found that antibiotic residues in manure still retained their bacteria-killing properties and could be contributing to the formation of new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
-These manures were not composted.
It is clear from this study that inhibition of critical ecological functions such as denitrification can occur when native denitrifying bacteria are exposed to environmentally relevant doses of SMX. Denitrification is the microbially facilitated process that converts nitrate to nitrogen gas, the main component of the earth’s atmosphere. Denitrification also plays a key role in soil fertility as well as in natural assimilation of nitrate pollution. The implication that these processes may be taking place in nature where wastewaters are entering water resources is of global importance to environmental and, by association, human health.
Sulfamethoxazole is found in all the body excretions, especially in the urine, and is rapidly excreted in most animals. The two sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole and sulfamethazine) and trimethoprim were found to be most toxic to plant growth in soil.
Antibiotics, such as tetracycline, are routinely fed to swine, poultry and dairy cattle. Residues of antibiotics and other drugs, such as Ivermectin, a popular worming medication, have been found in animal manures, and traces of these drugs can be found in plants grown in soil where residue-laden manure was applied. In a study published in the Journal of Environmental Quality in October, 2005, Kumar et.al. found that antibiotic residues were detected in green onions, corn and cabbages grown with the addition of manure containing antibiotic residues. In another article in the same publication, Chandler et.al. found that antibiotic residues in manure still retained their bacteria-killing properties and could be contributing to the formation of new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
-These manures were not composted.
