Although we add more organic matter on a continuous basis we don't have a problem with it breaking down too quickly. The biggest problem is that if it becomes too dry our cattle yard "soil" (a mixture of hay, manure and loam) that we often use as organic matter becomes hydrophobic meaning that it won't soak up moisture and water runs straight through. The only answer then is to give it a huge soaking (preferably from a rainfall event to save our stored water) to "force" it to accept moisture again.
