SOAKED HAY ON FROSTY MORNINGS????

[Bert&Maud]

Although my chap usually has his hay soaked, in the past I've not bothered if it's frosty, as the tank I use to soak it freezes up, as do the hoses/taps etc! However, he's recently had a cough with a mucky nose, vet's given him Ventipulmin and antibiotics, so I want to make sure his hay is always soaked from now on. How do others deal with this? I usually leave some hay in a bag by his field gate, so when the friend that does him for me in the mornings turns him out, she's just got to put his hay on the floor for him.

 

[fairyclare]

Steam it!
All you need is a dustbin and lid or a plastic feed bag (chaff/hi-fi size bag) and a kettle or 2 of boiling water, pour the boiling water in the top of the bag/bin and close it, leave it for 10 - 15 mins to 'steam' then tip it outand feed it straight away.

Steaming is actually better than soaking as you don't loose any of the goodness that is in the hay

 

[ThomasTank]

put your hay in a large bin and put a very small hole in the bottom. soak your hay in it and by the morning all the water will have drained out leaving you with hay for your horse. Although I like the idea of steaming, hmm I may try that myself !! does the hay in the middle of the wedge/section get steamed too ?

 

[fairyclare]

Yes it should do, you kind of have to shake it up a bit as you put it in, if its in tight wedges it won't steam properly

 

[ThomasTank]

thanks. I will suggest it to my friend. I am looking after her horse at the mo, she has broken her arm badly and funnily she was supposed to be looking after mine coz my daughter is sooo allergic to him

 

[charlie900]

I know what you mean , my 3 live out and had 1 1/2 bales soaked a day I allways had cold wet feet (It dripped in my wellies) and a bad back from the weight.

I tried steaming but it was not working on such a large amount the middle bits wernt done after 3/4 of an hour. I switched to large bale haylage its wonderful clear breathing from my snotty boy and no bad back for me, it also saves apprx £10 a week and loads of time

 

[Bert&Maud]

Thanks everyone for your help. Had heard that steaming was effective but was not sure about timings etc. Off out tomorrow to buy yet another dustbin and extra kettle! Large bale haylage not really an option as a) have just one horse and b) purchased 90 bales lovely organic meadow hay in summer!