I'm confused, soaking hay

[Janah]

I have a pony that is a bit plump, not gross. I am trying to get weight off and he has lost 15kg in the last month so going in the right direction.

My query is how long to soak hay to remove sugars? On another thread someone said 1 hour is enough. I always thought 12 hours.

Thoughts please.

Jane

 

[amandap]

This is the only study I have a link to. http://www.safergrass.org/pdf/SoakReport.pdf
I've read lots of anecdotal evidence of soaking for at least 12 hours being required for horses with laminitis though so I think I'd always err on the side of caution in acute laminitis.
Rinsing the hay (I give it a good spray with the hose) seems to wash off the sugary solution left on the hay, but that's my thoughts, not scientific.