Composting with horse manure and hay ?

In the middle of haying this year I got COVID, argh, and had to leave a lot of unbaled hay in the fields. As it happens, I also have tons (literally), of horse manure.

So I'd like to combine the hay (unbaled) with the manure and water and do some composting. So far so good?

If this sounds good so far, then my next question is this: Should I brush hog (i.e. cut up),  the hay first, or is it okay to compost using long (1' to 2') hay?

Whether you cut up the hay or not is probably a function of how (or if) you plan on turning and mixing the compost as it works. Turning a pile made with long clumps of hay with a pitchfork will be pretty grueling work, but could be managed easily with a tractor if you do windrows. And if you're just going to pile things and be patient, then it won't matter much.

I agree with Phil. It will compost either way. I think you'll get faster and more consistent results if you chop it up. But if you will use a tractor or bobcat to mix it, the bush hog work may not be worth your time.

Thanks guys.

I do plan to windrow it and turn it with my tractor. It's really good to hear that I don't have to chop it up. The chopping isn't hard, but moving it into the compost pile after chopping it would be labor intensive.

I’m curious if you got it going, and if so, how’s it working out?
Truthfully, I’m envious ~ huge quantities of hay and manure, and a tractor to turn it, I daydream about that kind of quantity!

And home sourced, so you know what’s in it.