hedges & cow manure?

We're planting a hornbeam hedge in the next week or two and we've read up all about what to do. I just wondered if we could use cow or horse manure instead of compost to go in our trench. We have access to loads of it and it would seem daft to invest in loads of compost if we could use this at no cost! Any thoughts?...

 

Horse is better as it retains moisture a little better with the bedding

but the important bit is well rotted, not fresh

fresh horse or cow manure would be too hot for the roots

I don't think you can beat well rotted hoss muck

 

Excellent - thank you Steve!

 

depends on the bedding material. well rotted straw bedding is a rare commodity, but hedeges are tough and provided you take care to mix with soil you need have no fear
and then mulch up
if you can, take loads of this manure, compost it up and use it liberally on the garden

 

The hedge is now planted along with a trailer load of well rotted cow muck. Thanks for the advice!