Maximum time for soaking hay

[minimex2]

Whats the maximum time you can soak hay for before it goes off/rotten ? - We only go down once a day and eventhough we could get someone to put some in soak would still be 18hours.

Its for two fatties!

thanks

 

[jaijai]

We soak ours at this time of year for 24 hours. Rinse off before feeding though otherwise you get a 'film' over the hay. Only lasts a day once soaked though and starts to smell off.

 

[ribbons]

Not a problem I have, but a friend has two fat prone cobs, who have had laminitis in the past. They have soaked hay. She used to soak for 12 hours until vet told her an hour was plenty. Any longer had no greater effect in removing sugars etc but did make hay unpleasant. It seems it's also important to rinse to remove any of the soaking water.
Seems to be working well for these two fatties.

 

[Pale Rider]

I tend to think people are soaking hay for far too long. I've not noticed any difference with soaking hay for an hour and rinsing it to leaving it stew for 12hrs or more. I have a horse very sensitive to sugar levels and soon lets you know when a problem is brewing. My view is to soak for a little time as possible rather than the sodden mush lots of horses are being presented with.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

The max I would soak hay for is 12 hrs.

Starts going smelly after this time. I found once it soaked that long and fed the first section she may or may no eat all then it starts to go smelly by the lunch time section. This is turn was soaked 12 hrs then not fe till lunch time again this is not so fresh, and by the 5pm hay and 10pm hay its been wet so long she isnt eating it .


I find now soaking 2 sections 5pm till 7.30am removed and rinsed ,one fed one held for lunch then the evening 2 sections go in for soaking 5pm till 5pm then rinsed and fed at 6pm and 10 pm is the best way of working in this warmer weather