Steaming vs Soaking Hay

[Dyllymoo]

I currently soak J’s hay in a haycube during the day (approx. 6.30am – 5.30pm weekdays, slightly less time during weekends) (well I did until about a week ago… 3 days in a row he refused to eat it and left it all overnight)


The past week I think I have figured out the mud from the hay (!) is making it taste funny for him. I have also started doing some reading online and the different opinions on soaking hay is baffling. Some say no longer than 1 hour otherwise bacteria starts, others say needs to be at least 12 -16 hours.


Of course then there is steaming hay, but I’m unsure about a home one (as I’m not convinced it would reach the right sort of temperature) so that leaves Haygain and honestly I winced at the haycube so the Haygain is completely out of budget.


Basically J is a good doer, I do not like haynets (repeat… I do not like haynets!) and would rather feed from a lower level/ ground level. I soak to try and make it less nutritional (I guess) so that he doesn’t explode weight wise.


Any suggestions or recommendations?

 

[HappyHollyDays]

On my vets advice when B had laminitis last summer, soak hay for an hour and rinse well as many times as you need until the water runs clear. Feed right away so bacteria doesn’t form. Steaming will not remove the sugars in the hay, it just kills the spores so for a good doer soaking is the best option fed at 1.5% of pony’s current bodyweight.

 

[Dyllymoo]

On my vets advice when B had laminitis last summer, soak hay for an hour and rinse well as many times as you need until the water runs clear. Feed right away so bacteria doesn’t form. Steaming will not remove the sugars in the hay, it just kills the spores so for a good doer soaking is the best option fed at 1.5% of pony’s current bodyweight.

Hmmm... that's an issue for the haycube, cant really "rinse" the hay in it. I knew it was never going to be easy with a little fatty

 

[HappyHollyDays]

By soaking it and just draining the haycube once the hay is sitting in all that sugary water which is reabsorbed back into it and defeats the object. I found the best way was to get the small 4kg Shires haylage nets and find a spare cattle lick tub to use. The nets were a manageable size as are the tubs and 4 were his quota for the day. Hay then can be emptied out of the nets if you don’t like using them.

 

[Dyllymoo]

By soaking it and just draining the haycube once the hay is sitting in all that sugary water which is reabsorbed back into it and defeats the object. I found the best way was to get the small 4kg Shires haylage nets and find a spare cattle lick tub to use. The nets were a manageable size as are the tubs and 4 were his quota for the day. Hay then can be emptied out of the nets if you don’t like using them.

Unfortunately having stuff around the yard isn't really ideal and the haycube was a fight I will need to rethink everything!

 

[milliepops]

I might be misunderstanding but I have rinsed by refilling the haycube and letting the water out immediately?

 

[Dyllymoo]

I might be misunderstanding but I have rinsed by refilling the haycube and letting the water out immediately?

Does the water get though all the hay if that makes sense, to be able to rinse it? Sorry I just wasn't sure this would work properly as its all so compact in there.

I will have to do this when YO isn't around as well!

 

[milliepops]

I've usually filled it from big bales so it's not that tightly packed but it would be better than nothing

 

[Dyllymoo]

I've usually filled it from big bales so it's not that tightly packed but it would be better than nothing

How long do you normally soak for? Trying to figure out my timings!

 

[milliepops]

I don't have anything that sensitive to sugars, i only soaked for dust so just while I did my stables (20 -30 mins maybe).
I feed haylage now so no soaking thankfully!

 

[Dyllymoo]

I don't have anything that sensitive to sugars, i only soaked for dust so just while I did my stables (20 -30 mins maybe).
I feed haylage now so no soaking thankfully!

Ah ok. I'm going to do the hour I think and see if that makes things better. I did 45 mins last night and he ate it all (bar a small amount in the bottom) so hoping the less soaking plus rinsing will help things.

 

[Auslander]

This has been a very helpful thread...because it reminded me to go back up to the yard and turn the hay steamer off! My hay will be extra dust free tonight!

 

[Meredith]

This has been a very helpful thread...because it reminded me to go back up to the yard and turn the hay steamer off! My hay will be extra dust free tonight!

Idea for next birthday present Auslander, a timer!?

 

[Auslander]

Idea for next birthday present Auslander, a timer!?

I have a timer, but it doesn't fit in the outdoor socket!

 

[Meredith]

I have a timer, but it doesn't fit in the outdoor socket!

Not sure if this is electrically safe...happy to be told otherwise...
Assuming you have a safety cut out plug thing...
Could you run an extension lead from the outdoor socket so that is is somewhere dry, plug the timer into that and plug the steamer into the timer?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I currently soak J’s hay in a haycube during the day (approx. 6.30am – 5.30pm weekdays, slightly less time during weekends) (well I did until about a week ago… 3 days in a row he refused to eat it and left it all overnight)


The past week I think I have figured out the mud from the hay (!) is making it taste funny for him. I have also started doing some reading online and the different opinions on soaking hay is baffling. Some say no longer than 1 hour otherwise bacteria starts, others say needs to be at least 12 -16 hours.


Of course then there is steaming hay, but I’m unsure about a home one (as I’m not convinced it would reach the right sort of temperature) so that leaves Haygain and honestly I winced at the haycube so the Haygain is completely out of budget.


Basically J is a good doer, I do not like haynets (repeat… I do not like haynets!) and would rather feed from a lower level/ ground level. I soak to try and make it less nutritional (I guess) so that he doesn’t explode weight wise.


Any suggestions or recommendations?

Stop soaking the hay! We had to do that for one of our Cushings mare's because of her breathing problems and it was a complete night mare, I wished that we could steam it but it didn't work so well. Instead of a complete hay ration offer plain oat straw chaff, if he is hungry he will eat it and he will be happy to eat the unadulterated hay.

 

[Auslander]

Not sure if this is electrically safe...happy to be told otherwise...
Assuming you have a safety cut out plug thing...
Could you run an extension lead from the outdoor socket so that is is somewhere dry, plug the timer into that and plug the steamer into the timer?

I think it would be simpler to carry on using the timer on my phone!

 

[Meredith]

I think it would be simpler to carry on using the timer on my phone!

I have trouble switching my phone on.
I had no idea there would be a timer on it that switches on and off electricity.

 

[milliepops]

I don't think that's what Aus means (don't reckon smart plugs would fit in outdoor socket either ) but I turn the house lights/tv etc on and off via my phone every day

 

[Meredith]

I don't think that's what Aus means (don't reckon smart plugs would fit in outdoor socket either ) but I turn the house lights/tv etc on and off via my phone every day

Sorry, you’ve lost me?

 

[Dyllymoo]

Horses..... so he is now loving the 1 hour long soaked hay that is rinsed.... however dry hay is a no-no now. 2 different bales he has refused. I had to put him out this morning (normally he stands and eats his hay whilst I muck out as he is anxious going out with no-one else from our yard in eyesight).... as he was trying to tip the wheelbarrow over, eating my hair, pulling my boot laces...... all because he didn't like the hay.

Fussy cob!

 

[Auslander]

I have trouble switching my phone on.
I had no idea there would be a timer on it that switches on and off electricity.

There isn't! It counts down 87minutes, then beeps to remind me to switch the steamer off!

 

[TPO]

I steam hay for 2 (one with respiratory issues and one that had a tie back in racing and does weird stuff with dry hay) and soak for fat cob.

Cob's hay is soaked in haycube for approx. 7-9hrs and then rinsed. I rinse it by putting the hose onto the jet fan spray (technical term) setting and "washing" the sections. He only eats 2.5 sections a night so with 3 in the cube there's plenty of space to move the sections around to rinse them. I do it until the water is running clear out the back.

 

[Meredith]

There isn't! It counts down 87minutes, then beeps to remind me to switch the steamer off!

With a timer I can go shopping etc return and the steamer is safely turned off.?

 

[Auslander]

With a timer I can go shopping etc return and the steamer is safely turned off.?

I look on it as a health thing. I walk back to the house, sit down, start my coffee, then the timer beeps and i have to leg it back up to the yard and turn the steamer off. Fitness goals!

 

[Meredith]

I look on it as a health thing. I walk back to the house, sit down, start my coffee, then the timer beeps and i have to leg it back up to the yard and turn the steamer off. Fitness goals!

OK that’s a good reason?