Is it really true?

pistolpete

pistolpete

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That if I have an empty dustbin, a kettle of hot hot water a net of hay and halfan hour I don't have to soak hay anymore for my COPD abscess suffering horse? How exactly please and for how long? Dustbin holds only about two sections of hay? Any other receptacles used? Thanks folks.
 
Yes steaming hay works.

I personally put a couple of kettles of boiling water over the hay and then leave it for a few hours until it cools.
 
You're much better creating a steamer. All you need is a large bin that you can drill a hole near the bottom plug the steamer cable through the hole and switch on! If you put a brick in the bottom the net sits off the base and allows the steam to circulate. Depending on the size of the net and how long it takes steamer to get up to full steam shoulld take approx 45mins from cold water to fully steamed large net.

The problem with the kettle method is as soon as the water is taken off the boil is starts to cool and whatever steam is there might not get into the centre of the net.

Using a timer in the wallpaper steamer method means you don't even need to be there for it to come on. Oh, don't forget whatever type of bin you use you'll need it to have a lid or else the steam just evaporates into the air!!
 
Get a bath from the tip and give it a damn good clean. You can then use it soak your hay, or steam it. Just put a huge plastic sheet over the top and "Voila", you have an improvised hay steamer....for free!
 
My problem with steamer is there is only one power socket in tea room. So not able to monopolise it that long. Boiling kettles I can get away with. Worried about it steaming all the way through. Two kettles full sounds more hopeful. Thanks.
 
A vet strongly advised me against the kettle and dustbin method a few years ago. The amount of water is not sufficient to permeate the hay and remain at a temp high for long enough to kill off bacteria.
It provides a warm moist environment suitable for breeding bacteria, quite the opposite of what you want to achieve.
 
I used 3 kettles of water for 4 or 5 sections of hay. Tescos do really deep plastic storage boxes with lids that are pretty good and fit 4 or 5 sections in perfectly ;).. I wouldn't advise dragging it across the yard though as I wrecked mine doing that. I really want to get my hands on a wheelie bin though as that would be perfect for steaming and transporting the hay around the yard ;)
 
not sure if your on a budget (although everyone is this year) but you could get an actual steamer, can get 3 sized, full hay bale, haynets/half a bale or a sack thing, suppose it would be an investment as i think they come with a guarantee, http://www.haygain.com/ has all the info i think you just need the one plug socket and fill it up with water :) hope it helps
 
You don't need copious amounts of water, just pour one kettlefull of boiling water over hay in a dustbin and secure with a lid. Alternatively use a strong plastic sack (to stop the plastic from melting make sure the hay has contact with the boiling water and not the sack first!) and secure with bailing twine. Its quite effective at reducing the pollens and spores and takes only about ten mins - after which the steam is dispersed and evaporated.
 
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