Soaking hay - how long does it last?

[Horses_and_ponies]

Hi, I’m currently treating my horse for a cough that’s appeared over the last few weeks. One of the things the vet recommended was to soak hay just to remove the dust.
Tomorrow the farrier is coming so my horse will have to be in for most of the afternoon. Without thinking this evening I soaked a net of hay for about 20 mins to have ready for tomorrow as I’ll be tight for time bringing her in. Only after I thought that maybe it wouldn’t last that long. Will it have turned by lunch time tomorrow if I soaked it at 7pm this evening? My trying to be organised wasn’t perhaps my best idea this evening!!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Unfortunately in this warm weather the hay will have begun heating up by then. I reckoned on feeding within 2 hours max of soaking in summer.

 

[Horses_and_ponies]

That’s what I kind of thought alright… Thank you

 

[Surbie]

I am in a similar position with a horse that coughs on dry hay and dunk mine in whatever water my horse has left frome the night before. I find a 10-20 min sit in the water then draining for the length of time it takes to get him from the field is usually enough. I'd rather he had wetter hay this time of year anyway.

I wouldn't leave it that long in this warm weather, sorry.

 

[Dave's Mam]

Those of you soaking for calorie reduction, how are you doing it?

 

[MuddyMonster]

Those of you soaking for calorie reduction, how are you doing it?

I'm soaking twice a day for when I need it. When it's temperatures as it is now I soak in the day for night nets and at night for day nets, then rinse off and feed as soon as I can. When it's v.hot I only soak for an hour (or the time I'm there - it can be a few hours) and then rinse before feeding. Not as ideal as a longer soak but in the v.hot weather it goes a bit grim & I think bacteria can play a part.