Soaking or Steaminmg Hay?

Persephone

Persephone

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Neddy has a slight sensitivity to dry hay so at present I am steaming her hay which appears to be succesfull.

I wondered if any people have any new statistics/advice they can give as to the relevant benefits of steaming as opposed to soaking hay.

I use good quality hay, paper bedding, keep all dust and cobwebs down and a good airflow. I don't sweep or muck out when the horse is in the barn.

Any success stories appreciated!
 
No stats as such but we were steaming but are now soaking, as still a bit of coughing going on with steaming. Seeing improvements with soaking tho' now. Unscientific but thought I'd chuck it in!
 
I seriously steam with a hay gain

You use far less water and not chucking a hay net into manky water. However electricity bill obviously goes up

Far easier to handle steamed hay compared to soaking hay nets, my back is bad enough with lugging those around

Horse wise - he is on cardboard and had totally stopped coughing.
 
We steam ours, bale at a time in a large plastic bag, with a wallpaper steamer, and find it works pretty well. However I do think that it is not just dust or pollen which makes a difference to my mare, I think that what the hay crop has been treated with, or maybe where it has been grown makes a difference, as she is better with some hay than with other, with no apparent difference in dustyness.
 
Perhaps you could start with steaming (easier and lighter!) and progress to soaking if that doesn't work
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As I understand it, soaking for more than 20mins or so leeches out all the goodness of the hay (this might not be relevant, but I thought I'd mention it
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I steam at the moment. Just wasn't sure if it was doing the job well enough.

She eats half a bale per night. I shake it out, pack it in to two nets then steam it in a wheelie bin for an hour.

It's quite hassle free for me as I have set up a timer so it's ready when I get to the yard.

I just wasn't sure if soaking was more efficient.
 
At the moment I am doing long soaked hay for my 2 fatties.

In the winter though the pony has steamed hay, and my mare has soaked hay - just what theyprefer eating and what works for them I guess.

My mare isn't generally a fussy eater but isn't that keen on the steamed hay - but the pony loves it. Horses for courses and all that!
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