Soaking hay

[NooNoo59]

I am trying to reduce calorie intake without reducing fibre, is it best to soak hay for 1 hour or overnight?
Some people say that 1 hour is enough but not sure, help!!

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

It depends, the most sugars will be removed in the first few hours, and also there may be some loss of palatability overnight.
Either way I think it is important to supplement the minerals which will leach out, but then I am a bit of a mineral supplement nut.
Handling very cold water is not my idea of fun in winter, so I would be doing it as little as possible!

 

[shadowboy]

My vet says 8 hours takes 20% calories out but any longer and the valuable proteins and minerals leach out too. I usually do mine when I turn out at 8am and hang it to drain at 5pm and horse eats it at 6pm once stopped dripping