Soaking hay?

[only_me]

My horse has developed a little cough, and I think it is from his hay as it is a bit dusty.

However, he dosent always get hay at night; if he has been out all day then he dosent get any but if he is brought in earlier for various reasons he gets hay.

So would it be ok to soak the hay for 30mins? and then drain for 10mins?

Would that work, or would I need to soak it overnight?

 

[JessandCharlie]

It should make some difference, and is better than no soaking at all! in fact, I read once that over-night soaking is worse because it encourages bacteria to grow in the hay that cause just as many problems, although I don't know how much truth there is in that

 

[monkeybum13]

Sounds fine to me, plus haynets that are soaked overnight are too heavy to carry

 

[only_me]

oh thats good

Its usually only 1 slice anyways, so not too heavy

 

[hamish1]

i usually soak for 20mins then leave it to drip 4 ten mins

 

[MochaDun]

I'm soaking for similar sort of times (20-30 mins and drain for about 10) as mine had a slight cough for about 3 days last week, all cleared up but am keeping going with the hay soaking for that reason and also to reduce the goodness of it and mine too just gets a slice. Just so dusty everywhere here but cough has stopped.