time. yes it can, best to leave in a heap for a few months if possiable

Hi, welcome to GoY, if you put fresh manure on your plants it will burn them, as it generates heat as it decomposes, leave it until it's finished decomposing and the heat has dissipated, at this time it will also be more friable, and have no smell, other than an 'earthy' smell, this is the time to put it on your soil, Derek.

Hi Heather and welcome to GoY with horse manure this takes at least a year, better if you can leave for two years though.

Good question Heather, thank you for asking!