soaked hay smells vinigary?

M

muffy32

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 July 2006
Messages
116
Visit site
I have noticed that when I soak my hay it smells vinigary. I use fresh water each time I soak and my bucket is cleaned before reuse so I wondered if anyone here has any idea as to why it should smell? its not a strong smell just a hint.
I also notice that when I empty the water that the hay has been soaked in there is a white residue left behind in the bucket which obviously clean out each day. Does anyone know what this is?

I visit quite a few yards and it would seem that they all have the same thing happen so at least I know its not just my yard or something I am doing wrong, Im just curious to know why it happens and what causes it.

btw. I soak my hay for 24 hrs
 
I thought hay was only meant to be soaked for 20 minutes or so, otherwise the nutrients are all washed out and the water is stronger than human sewage? I do mine for literally 10 mins each side, and mine never smells (unless I don't drain it enough before it goes in the Tubtrug in the stable, which makes the trug smell and leaves a white film behind). At work we soak for about three hours ish and in the same water each time (until it gets too horrible) and it always stinks of vinegar.
 
24 hours does seem a long time, my vet recommended soaking for no longer than 12 hours to remove the nutrients when my boy had laminitis, but for dust removal (if you like) I only sually soak for 20 mins. I would agree with the others on this one.
 
I agree it is to do with the length of time that you are soaking it for. When we used to soak hay we would litterally put it into a wheelbarow and hose it down. Obviously it depends on your reasons for soaking but if it is to remove the dust, this process always worked for us, if not 10 mins should do!!!
 
You soak hay for 24 hours?

I only soak if for 5 - 10 mins. Even then I get a brown liquor from in the water (much like silage liquor).

Can't imagine how soggy the hay would be after 24 hours soaking. Bet the hay feels pickled too
grin.gif
 
Umm can't realy help as I use hayledge instead but 24hrs seem quite long. When our hayledge is abd it smells on vinigar and we get white mould bits?
 
You need to be careful soaking for that lenght of time- I have always been under the impression hay water can be toxic and that even to take all the nutients out (for lami etc) it should only be soaked for 12hr maximum?! For CAO/ COPD it only really needs 10 minutes.
 
The white deposits are likely starch.

I dislike the smell of soaked hay and when I had my RAO horse my vet also advised soaking for 24 hours but I ended up buying haylage as I couldn't be bothered with all the hassle of it.
 
I used to soak hay *years ago* for 24 hours, as back then was when 24 hours was the norm.
Now i think 10-20 mins max is fine.

I know when i did soak it for 24 hours one or two horses ended up wiht a urine infection. Vet thought this could be down to soaking for too long.

I believe you, soaked hay smells rank. I much prefer steaming hay - that always smells much sweeter
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]


[/ QUOTE ] "I used to soak hay *years ago* for 24 hours, as back then was when 24 hours was the norm. "

Ha likewise, those were the days!!!! I agree soaking for 10-20 mins is long enough. If soaked for too long the nutrients are washed out. It needs soaking just long enough for the dust particles to swell so that they are Ingested rather than inhaled by the horse.
 
At university one of the lecturers did a research study on soaking hay and the outcome was the 10 minutes makes the dust spores digestible. Also, she tested hay soaked for 1hr+ and the conclusion of that was that "you may as well be feeding your horse cardboard if soaking it for that long as there is no nutritional value it now!"

So......no more than 10 minutes!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top