Soak or Steam.......??

[flying solo]

I have been bringing the ponies for a few hours a day in preperation for winter. Now one of them is coughing a little but its only when he's in eating his haynet. Its not a constant cough, its only now and again but I'd like to make his little life more comfortable! When stabled he will have adlib hay so not too worried about losing the calories etc as he lives on fresh air!

So would you soak or steam?

If steam how would you do it, waterbutt and hot water? How much hot water would I roughly need and how long does it take?

If soak would you do a full 12 hours?

xx

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I was warned off steaming hay by my vet who mentioned the possibility of increasing bacteria and mould if not done correctly. Chucking hay in a plastic dustbin with a few kettles of boiled water is more likely to cause colic than feeding it dry. Soaking unhygienically in cold water is problematic too.
This is an article that describes the hazard of incorrect steaming and soaking;http://www.sciencesupplements.co.uk/blog.asp?Display=158

 

[Ali2]

I'd soak and ensure the soaking container in regularly cleaned

 

[flying solo]

Thanks for the link it was a interesting read!

I will no longer be doing the cheap way but would buy a expensive well known make if steaming was the best option. Money isn't really a problem, I just dont want to buy something for hundreds of pounds if its not going to make much of a difference.