Steaming hay and haylage

[mil1212]

Firstly, I have to say a big thanks to HHOer's, today I built my very own hay steamer using a bin and a wallpaper steamer, and am very pleased with myself

Followed instructions on here, and looked up hay steamers, and was amazed to see that the steamer on the £295 hay steamers is exactly the same as a wallpaper steamer (but £270 cheaper...)
However, wish I brought a 130 litre water butt instead of scrimping and getting an 80 litre bin, which isn't quite big enough.
I am just wondering, my boy currently gets 2 slices of hay and 1 slice of haylage in 1 net, I#m wondering if its a bad idea to steam this net with the haylage in it?
Also, would steaming be ok for my laminitc prone cushings chap? In the summer he has it soaked, but I guess steaming isn't getting rid of the sugars like soaking does?

 

[milliepops]

Lol, welcome to the 'I built a HHO hay steamer club'!

I have never steamed haylage, but can't imagine it would do any harm. If you are struggling to fit the net in the bin though, wouldn't it be easier to just add the haylage after the hay is steamed?

Personally I wouldn't steam hay for a laminitic if you normally soak it - as you say, steaming keeps the nutrients in the hay.

 

[mil1212]

Thank you for your reply.
Hadn't thought of putting the halylage in after! Although I am allergic to hay so someone else fills my nets, but haylage I should be alright with.
Seems like I can't quite give up on the back 'strengthening' haynet haulage yet then

 

[milliepops]

I'm not great with hay (makes me itch and my eyes get puffy) but I'm fine with soaked or steamed hay and also haylage. So hopefully you'll be OK.

Lol, [ QUOTE ]
haynet haulage

[/ QUOTE ] - will remember that one when I'm creaking around the yard