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EHOSS CAMP

Research institutions

Applied Research. Independent Validation.

Independent institutions test and study what we build. Their reports give us measured data rather than assumptions — two of them are summarised below.

State Veterinary and Food Institute (Štátny veterinárny a potravinový ústav)

Research institution

State Veterinary and Food Institute (Štátny veterinárny a potravinový ústav)

Veterinary and Food Institute in Bratislava

Testing Laboratory · Bratislava, Slovakia

Research institutions · Laboratory validation

Independent Laboratory Evaluation of Hay Samples for Equine Use

Laboratory testing performed by the State Veterinary and Food Institute – Veterinary and Food Institute in Bratislava

September 2026Bratislava, Slovakia

In September 2026, EHOSS submitted two hay samples for independent laboratory testing to obtain objective microbiological, physico-chemical and chemical data relevant to equine forage quality. The comparative results provide a practical validation case for forage evaluation, storage monitoring and future data-driven technology development.

At a glance

  • 3 × 10⁴ CFU/g

    External sample – mould count

  • <1 × 10³ CFU/g

    Internal sample – mould count

  • 2 samples

    Independent comparative testing

Research Context

Two hay samples – an external sample and an internal sample – were collected by EHOSS on 3 September 2026 and tested by the State Veterinary and Food Institute in Bratislava. The laboratory analyses were performed between 4 and 18 September 2026 under test protocols 9776/2026 and 9777/2026.

The objective was to compare measurable forage-quality characteristics rather than rely on visual inspection alone. The laboratory evaluated microbiological status, composition and selected chemical elements, using reference limits supplied for a target standard for horses.

Laboratory Testing Scope

Microbiological testing
Mould count
Physico-chemical analysis
Dry matter, moisture, crude protein, nitrogen in dry matter, crude fibre
Chemical analysis
Arsenic, cadmium, lead, selenium, aluminium, iron

Comparison of the Two Hay Samples

Dry matterExternal sample92.56%Internal sample92.37%Comment Very similar
MoistureExternal sample7.44%Internal sample7.63%Comment Both below referenced target range
Crude proteinExternal sample3.70%Internal sample3.50%Comment Similar values
Nitrogen in dry matterExternal sample4.00%Internal sample3.79%Comment Below referenced minimum
Crude fibre in dry matterExternal sample37.90%Internal sample38.85%Comment Above referenced range
Mould countExternal sample3 × 10⁴ CFU/gInternal sample<1 × 10³ CFU/gComment Lower in internal sample
ArsenicExternal sample<0.03 mg/kg DMInternal sample<0.03 mg/kg DMComment Below stated maximum
CadmiumExternal sample0.046 mg/kg DMInternal sample0.052 mg/kg DMComment Below stated maximum
LeadExternal sample0.11 mg/kg DMInternal sample0.079 mg/kg DMComment Below stated maximum
AluminiumExternal sample118.5 mg/kg DMInternal sample33.23 mg/kg DMComment Below stated maximum
IronExternal sample131.1 mg/kg DMInternal sample56.54 mg/kg DMComment Within referenced range
SeleniumExternal sample<0.1 mg/kg DMInternal sample<0.1 mg/kg DMComment Below referenced target range

Comparative Findings

The clearest difference between the samples was observed in the microbiological result. The internal hay sample had a substantially lower measured mould count than the external sample: <1 × 10³ CFU/g compared with 3 × 10⁴ CFU/g.

The dry-matter and moisture values of the two samples were very similar. The chemical analyses also showed arsenic, cadmium, lead and aluminium below the stated maximum values in both samples, while iron fell within the referenced range.

Parameters Requiring Attention

The laboratory reports also flagged several results against the supplied target values for horses. Both samples had moisture below the referenced 10–14% range, nitrogen in dry matter below the referenced minimum, crude fibre in dry matter above the referenced range and selenium below the referenced target range.

What the Testing Means for EHOSS

Independent laboratory testing gives EHOSS measurable data for comparing forage samples and assessing aspects of forage quality, storage and handling. It supports a data-driven approach in which engineering and digital monitoring can be complemented by external laboratory validation.

  • Forage quality evaluation and sample comparison
  • Monitoring of storage conditions and quality deviations
  • Evidence-based development of forage-related technologies
  • Future integration of laboratory data with monitoring and digital tools for equine facilities
Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SPU)

Research institution

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SPU)

Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development

Research report prepared for EHOSS s.r.o., Nitra, December 2024

Research institutions · Applied research

Biogas Potential of Horse Manure & Bedding

Applied research with the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

December 2024Nitra, Slovakia

EHOSS commissioned an applied research study with the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SPU) to evaluate mechanically processed horse manure and bedding mixtures as feedstock for biogas production. Laboratory testing confirmed that all three EHOSS material variants were suitable for biogas production through wet anaerobic fermentation and provided quantitative data for further technology development.

At a glance

  • 88.61%

    V1 biogas yield vs. corn silage

  • 64.26%

    Average methane content in V1 biogas

  • 3 / 3

    EHOSS variants suitable for wet fermentation

Research Context

The study was prepared in December 2024 by the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development, for EHOSS s.r.o. The work was carried out by Prof. Ing. Ján Gaduš, PhD., following an EHOSS order dated 27 November 2024. The objective was to assess whether horse manure combined with wood-based bedding could serve as an alternative input material for biogas production.

Research Objective

The research evaluated three EHOSS biomass variants (V1, V2 and V3) containing horse manure with different proportions of wood-shaving bedding. The aim was to determine their biogas yield, methane content and process behaviour under controlled wet-fermentation conditions, and to compare the results with high-quality corn silage.

Laboratory Methodology

Testing was performed in 100-litre experimental batch fermenters equipped with temperature control, slow-speed mixing and continuous gas-volume measurement. Each experiment lasted approximately 20 days. The researchers monitored the composition and behaviour of the substrate as well as the produced biogas.

Biogas production
Continuous and cumulative production
Gas composition
CH₄, CO₂, H₂S and O₂
Substrate parameters
Dry matter, organic dry matter, pH, nitrogen and other chemical indicators
Operating conditions
Temperature-controlled wet fermentation with inoculum from an operating biogas plant

Key Results

All three EHOSS materials were confirmed as suitable for biogas production by wet fermentation. The V1 and V2 variants delivered the strongest results, while V3 also demonstrated viable biogas production.

V1 EHOSSBiogas yield (m³/kg dry matter)0.5251Average CH₄64.26%Relative yield vs. corn silage88.61%Average H₂S805.90 ppm
V2 EHOSSBiogas yield (m³/kg dry matter)0.5226Average CH₄64.27%Relative yield vs. corn silage88.19%Average H₂S759.90 ppm
V3 EHOSSBiogas yield (m³/kg dry matter)0.4334Average CH₄64.02%Relative yield vs. corn silage73.14%Average H₂S822.90 ppm

Technical Finding: Gas Treatment Is Required

The study also identified a high hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) concentration in the biogas produced from the EHOSS samples. The report concludes that the gas would require more extensive desulphurisation before use in a combined heat and power (CHP) unit. This finding provides an important engineering input for further process optimisation and gas-treatment design.

What the Research Means for EHOSS

The results provide experimental evidence that mechanically processed horse manure and bedding can be used as an alternative biogas feedstock. For EHOSS, the study creates a data-based foundation for further development of technologies focused on the recovery of organic residues, biomass processing and renewable-energy applications. It also demonstrates how EHOSS combines industrial product development with external scientific validation.

Source: “Analýza vzoriek energetických rastlín na biochemickú konverziu biomasy na produkciu biometánu”, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, December 2024, prepared for EHOSS s.r.o.

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