A Question on Soaking Hay

[Annieann]

Hi All,

I was discussing my pony's weight with the vet today, as she's getting tubby.

I mentioned to him that I had started to soak her hay for longer, and that hopefully would help with her weight issue - I am soaking it for 10/12 hours.

This is not the usual vet I see with her, but he said to me that yes, soaking hay for that amount of time takes the nutrients out of the hay, but he felt that it did not remove the sugars.

I just wanted to ask you experts what your thoughts where on this one?

Thanks

 

[251libby]

I've never heard this before!
I'll be watching this post with interest becasue I have a pony storing a little too much weight!

 

[Annieann]

To be honest I haven't either, thats why I've put a post about it!

 

[charlie55]

Yes soaking hay will take all the goodness out of it! To take everything out i think it will need soaking for 24 hours though.x

 

[paintsplat05]

yep 24hours is best, we just leave it in a black bin and cover it with water

 

[ribena73]

Another yes for 24 hours to make sure you get all the nutrients out of it

 

[251libby]

I agree with that but what shes saying is in 12 hours it does not remove sugars

 

[Pep12]

B******s. Excuse french. i do wish vets would stick to what they know about and not try to be nutritionists too! Mini rant over.

Soaking hay leaches out sugars. it's all to do with osmosis don't you know and this effect can happen as little as 1 hour of soaking. There has been some reseach done showing the effects of soaking on hay and after 4 hours between 30-50% of the sugars have gone and at 10-12 hours you can pretty much guarantee most of the sugars have gone. if your water looks brown the you have done the trick. Sometimes with really high sugar hay the water can look like molasses.

So with that in mind I would say 4 hours minimum. 10-12 hours is great and 24 hours won't do any harm but is not absolute;y necessary. Remember to use fresh water every time or the osmosis won't work!!!

 

[kellyeaton]

i soak mine for 24 hours! i hope this removes everything from it!

 

[Mrjacks0n]

my hay is soaked about that amount of time with dark brown water after i also give it a quick spray with the hose, its kept my horse v trim and full as i can give him more as he has had v chronic lami

 

[Tnavas]

If she is overweight why are you feeding her hay?

 

[Pep12]

Tnavas. We will pretend you didn't ask that Q !!!

 

[Annieann]

Ok, thanks guys ....I did wonder!

 

[PeterNatt]

Soaking the hay in fresh cold water for about 2 hours will take most the nutrients out of the hay.

I would not soak it for much longer than 2 hours especially in warm weather as it may well start to ferment.