Steaming hay

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jokadoka

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Probably a stupid question but...
After 13 years of lugging soaked wet hay nets around I've decided I'm too long in the tooth to do it again all winter so have decided to use the "hay in a bin, boiled kettle put lid on" steaming method. Can I steam his evening hay when I muck out in the morning or do I have to leave it till just before giving it too him?
 
I've just switched from soaked hay to steamed hay, it is far far easier! And horsey seems to enjoy it much better too. I've left mine for 6hrs in the bin and its still been moist, so sure 12hrs would be ok, as with the bin lid on no moisture escapes, however not sure it would work when weather hits freezing point?!:confused:

Becky x
 
I use a big drum(can use wheelie bin) and a wall paper steamer, set on a timer so it is ready and waiting when I need it. Works a treat :-)
 
When we go to shows and stay overnight, we use a large plastic bin bag with the hay net in and pour a boiled kettle of water in . Seal for 1/2 hour and it's ready and smells lovely. We do have a horse with a cough allergy to dry hay and it works fine. I like the idea of a wall paper steamer for home though! So what I am saying is, you could do it at evening stable time.
 
i also you a wallpaper steamer to steam my hay but usually do it for about 20-30 mins while im mucking out.
farriersmum...thats a very stange thing to hear from a vet, steaming hay is the most effective way of keeping nutrients and removing dust from hay.
this study is very interesting...(sorry in dissertation mode at the moment)
http://www.happyhorseproducts.de/assets/SiteEngineManager/docs/hay for horses.pdf
 
theshowjumper_20 said:
...thats a very stange thing to hear from a vet, steaming hay is the most effective way of keeping nutrients and removing dust from hay.
Click to expand...
.......and avoiding wet leg/knackered back syndrome!

One of mine has a dust allergy and the wallpaper steamer jobby works for him, but only if the hay is shaken out before being steamed as the steam doesn`t seem to 'get right in' if left in tight wads and he starts coughing within hrs!

and yes you`re right, it smells soooooooo lovely when it`s done.
 
I steamed last year for our pony and it seemed to work- takes more than one kettle though and you do have to have the hay fairly loose- I did sometimes leave it all day in the bin and as long as the lid was kept on it was ok. Ice is a problem though when its really cold although a few times when it wasn't too frozen i just chucked another kettle over whilst i did other bits and was ok.
Its unbelievably easier than soaking!
 
I use a plastic garden container with a lid from argos and a wallpaper steamer. Start steaming when I get to yard and by time I've finished what I'm doing its all done and smell lovely. the container holds about a bale.
 
Sorry, not been here for a bit..last year my vet said 1) As above, there can be a problem with 'lumps' of hay not getting damp enough and 2) the only way to ensure that all the spores are inactive or whatever they call it is to soak for 20 minutes and not use the water twice. I did try steaming and it sort of worked but I still got the odd cough, the problems seem to arise with both methods if for any reason the hay is not eaten when it is first done and if it hangs around in the wind and dries out I think you are back to the beginning again. I am especially concerned this year as the quality of the hay is not as good as previous years so any that's a bit dusty will be the kiss of death unless treated - I preferred steaming it for all the reasons you guys have given above...could my vet (an equine practice) be wrong?
 
I used to steam in an old feed bag, fold the top over and seal with a brick. Takes up less space than a bin when not in use...

I used to leave mine for half an hour while mucking out then feed mine hot - they loved it! Only the very centre was boiling hot so they couldn't reach that properly until it had cooled anyway. They used to bury their noses right in to get to the warm bits :)
 
This didn't work for my horse either and I went to the expense (£160 eek :eek:) of buying a proper Happyhorse steamer. It wasn't on a whim - I did lots of research (er- reading the internet) and the principle seemed really sound. But it just didn't work for Tee. He was coughing within 3 days. But he is very, very sensitive. Soaking doesn't work either. He has to have haylage.
 
Shame you're not nearer, teabagsmum, I'd have a go of your steamer and buy it from you if it worked for mine!!! She is also very, very sensitive to chaff, readigrass anything dry like that even if you soak it (she's often seen trying to nick a bit out of a wheelbarrow so she can have a coughing fit and not be ridden...) What haylage do you use and how do you keep it fresh?
 
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