Steaming Hay

Firewell

Firewell

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The hay I have for my horse is not great as it was all my one and only hay supplier had left. Moving onto haylage soon, when the snow clears and it can get to us. I can't soak the hay as the only tap working at the yard in this weather is in the toilet but hay is horribly dusty and horse isn't wanting to eat it (don't blame him!).
I'm thinking of trying to steam it. Does anyone have any ideas on how to make a homemade steamer? I was thinking of filling up empty Alfa a plastic bags with hay, boiling the kettle, folding the top of the bag over and steaming it that way. I'm going to try it tomorrow but don't know if it will work! Does anyone have any better ideas?

Thanks :)
 
Plastic dustbin with hay tip a few kettles on, i used to cover with shavings/plastic feed bag and put the lid on and leave for a bit. Works perfectly and easier than trying to get the hay in a feed bag.:)
 
What about one of those steam wallpaper strippers from DIY outlets and a big plastic bag, or in bottom of bin, never looked into it so don't know in's and outs, fire risk ?, bacteria not killed off ?, so just an idea and check with some one who knows more first ;)
 
i use the plastic dustbin and 2 kettles of water .seems to work fine.the only thing is you cant get much in a haynet and its best to shake the hay out so the steam can get in .
 
I steam mine with the method monkeybum described :) I split my hay between 2 nets, as loose as you can and pour 2 kettles over it whilst I muckout and ride etc. Overnight I pour a single kettle over and leave the bins in the tea room (warmest place) to avoid the water freezing and then pour another kettle over in the am whilst I muck out. I'm there for only a short time in the am so prefer to know the hay has had sufficient time to steam.
 
We have one on our yard that is home made. Plastic Dustbin with a well fitting lid, hole in the bottom that the hose from a wallpaper stripper is fitted into, this is then run for 15-20 mins, the smell is wonderful! We have out the wallpaper stripper on a timer and a trip switch so that the maximum it can run for is 30 mins, this ensures that if someone goes off and forgets it it doesn't run dry or if it does the switch will trip. One horse has serious allergy issues and using this method he has had no flare ups through this awful weather.
 
If you look on eBay someones made one with a wheelie bin and a wallpaper steamer lol good cheap alternative if it works. Sorry I'm a bit blind didn't read reply above lol
 
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