Is it only in my reading of the post that there seems to be some confusion between MANURE and COMPOST? To my mind they are two quite different things; or are they being sold with 'interchangeable' labels?

My interpretation is that animal Manures contain little vegetable matter other than the actual feed eaten by the animal, whereas Compost is primarily vegetable matter with possibly the addition of some animal manure. However, I stand to be corrected if needs be.

I have used bought manure (cow or poultry) directly on garden beds occasionally, but would much prefer to mix it into my own compost heaps as this not only adds nutritionally to the compost but also accelerates the breaking down of vegetable matter.

Your interpretation is correct Alice. They are two very different things.

When you say that you "bought manure" was this packaged manure or direct from "the horse's stable" - so to speak?

If it was packaged, then there shouldn't be any problems with it as the processor would have already composted it and it should be fine to automatically add to your garden beds.

Stuart, I've actually done both. Bought sheep and horse manure from stable or farm, which I've always used in the compost heap, and processed cow and chicken manure which I've sometimes used directly on the garden, but more often in the compost heap.

Same here Alice. I find I have more peace of mind composting manures than assuming whether the producer has already done this well.

Personally, I have enjoyed terrific results using horse manure "right from the barn" on my flower beds. I'm not concerned with bacteria (because I don't grow vegetables), and horses don't digest as efficiently as cows, so the manure isn't as "hot" in nitrogen content to burn plants. Once in awhile I may get a weed seed here and there, but it's no big deal to pull them, and some are wildflowers that I like! As for e. coli...my mom and I used to put pony manure around our tomatoes, and simply washing them took care of any dangers. I think the spinach problem may have come from growers using stronger fertilizers, such as "composted" human waste from processing plants (I HAVE seen this done!), also I feel that many people think that "pre-washed" greens are washed good enough...I never take that for granted and always wash it again!

RE: using composted horse manure... I am trying to learn what extra precautions must be used to kill the worm poison that horses ingest & then send out in their manure. Anybody know?