HAY SOAKING!

surreyhorsechick

surreyhorsechick

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 October 2008
Messages
127
Location
Surrey
Visit site
Hi everyone - some advice needed please!!!

My pony has to have his hay soaked due to a respiratory problem. Can I ask how long people soak their hay for? I have always done it for 10-15 mins per net so as not to strip the nutrients from it, but I have been told by others that I should soak it overnight.....I'm sure this isn't right....anyone else agree???

I have also read on other forums that once the hay has been soaked, it must be fed COMPLETELY drained as the water becomes TOXIC! I actually soak my hay in a large plastic container, and as it's so big and takes so long to fill, I leave the same water in it for approx 3 days, then rinse out and re-fill. My boy has never had any problems, but now I'm worried I should be emptying the water out every day.

All comments welcome!!!

smile.gif
 
I go on the 30min rule.....I was taught 20-30 mins to get rid of dust spores etc etc, the longer the better to get rid of nutrients etc, my boy is a little sensitive with his respiratory and I go for 30 mins approx and touch wood and whistle seems to be working. In an ideal world the water should be changed daily and we change ours each day but we do 2 or 3 nets at a time with it. The water does get a little rancid so should really be changed each time but I know a couple of people who change theirs on alternate days and it works for them. You can only do your best and go on the facilities etc you have. Good luck
 
I'm not sure what's thought to be best at the moment, but this is what I do.
smile.gif


Feed haylage if possible.

Dunk hay as a preventative measure for horses with no respiratory problems or laminitis problems but whom cannot have haylage.

Soak hay for about ten minutes for horses with respiratory problems whom cannot have haylage.

Soak hay for eight to twelve hours for laminitics to reduce nutritional content in hay.

I change the hay soaking water daily unless below freezing and then I sometimes make it last a couple of days.

I don't know about toxic water but it is rancid after a few nets, especially during warm weather. It can't be good to use old water, couldn't you just half fill your tub to make emptying easier?
 
i would go with 30 mins for lung problems 12hrs for lammi. my friend uses her water all week then changes but when it comes out of the soaked water she rinses the hay off before giving it to her horse!
 
Look up some of the posts about steaming rather than soaking, Like lots of others I've made my own steamer and after years of soaking I'm now converted to steaming.
 
STEAM IT . im doing mine for the first time tonight. i made my steamer today and it should be a lot easier and MORE PLEASANT . thanks to the advice of many kind people on here!!
 
I soak mine for 30 minutes (as long a it takes me to muck out the bed), then I hang it for as long as it takes me to put the bed back down. Seems to work...at least I haven't had any coughs this winter yet...touch wood
 
[ QUOTE ]
I soak mine for 30 minutes (as long a it takes me to muck out the bed), then I hang it for as long as it takes me to put the bed back down. Seems to work...at least I haven't had any coughs this winter yet...touch wood

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to do this as well and whilst on full livery i know that the same is also applied. I was told that overnight soaking drains the hay of its nutrients.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top