Which hay steamer???

H

Horsey_Anne

Member
Joined
11 January 2012
Messages
29
Visit site
Hi,
Would really appreciate other people's thoughts. I've done lots of research but really don't understand why prices vary SO enormously. Has anyone got experience of more than one? Do you get better product / service for higher price? Do any re-sell better if no longer needed?
Making my own is not an option - lacking skills and physical ability!
Horse is kept on assisted DIY livery so needs to be easy to use. Horse being picky with soaked hay (it IS nice hay) and wasting it so I'm hoping improved palatability will get him eating again. Teeth etc all checked.
Any thoughts will be much appreciated.
 
Try soaking hay for a shorter time if horse does not like it, most of the sugars will reduce at the beginning anyway, and they will not eat it if it tastes weird due to fermentation, or lack of palatability generally.
Just a good soak will remove quite a lot of dust and pollen, I am not convinced that it will be a lot better with steaming but I may be wrong.
 
use a kettle and a bin with a well fitting lid-at least to start with and see if your horse will eat steamed hay. it is what my boss uses at shows with an over night stay and what we use when the taps are frozen
 
Thanks :-)
I'm chaging to steaming cos I think help is forgetting hay and it's staying in water too long. I've seen scientific papers that show water is more polluting than sewage if hay soaked 1 hour. I know he likes steamed hay. I've done kettle & dustbin method which works well when done properly but need v easy system that guarantees dust free hay when others are doing for me hence investment in kit
 
I have to say I have been thinking about this one too. I REALLY don't like the idea and don't intend to spend £1,740 on a haygrain steam when I think the cost of production is £100 if that.

A lot of people have made there own with a cheap wall paper stripper and bin - I like this idea. £30 for the stripper and £30 for a bin.. Simple, cheap and still effective.

However being fussy I want to get a 'bin' that fits a bale of hay in it with wheels, that then can be pulled to the hay barn, back to the yard, steam and then move it to each stable and then produce less mess and it's also simple and easy to use. I've 4 horses and don't do haynets..!

Any suggestions - Was thinking a normal wheelie bin but on it's side, if you know what I mean!!
 
I'm afraid I can't comment on 'proper' steamers, but wanted to add that I have managed previously with a decent heavy duty large plastic sack and boiling a kettle. Has to be really decent hay, and kettle on rolling boil - tie up quickly with bale twine. Does become a faff with a big horse who eats a lot though!

Mine will not eat soaked hay either, even if it is only soaked for a short period, but steamed he loves and he doesn't cough providing really good hay.

Edited to say: Im on assisted livery so prep the bags so my buddy only has to empty them out when horse comes in.
 
tim69er said:
I have to say I have been thinking about this one too. I REALLY don't like the idea and don't intend to spend £1,740 on a haygrain steam when I think the cost of production is £100 if that.

A lot of people have made there own with a cheap wall paper stripper and bin - I like this idea. £30 for the stripper and £30 for a bin.. Simple, cheap and still effective.

However being fussy I want to get a 'bin' that fits a bale of hay in it with wheels, that then can be pulled to the hay barn, back to the yard, steam and then move it to each stable and then produce less mess and it's also simple and easy to use. I've 4 horses and don't do haynets..!

Any suggestions - Was thinking a normal wheelie bin but on it's side, if you know what I mean!!
Click to expand...

I do this, what wall paper stripper are you using? Mine switches off when it gets hot (a necessary safety switch) and I need one that steams for longer as sometimes it switches off after 20 mins.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top