Hay can be hard on horses with allergies; the dust they inhale can wreak havoc on sensitive respiratory tracts.
Though both steaming and soaking hay can be beneficial in removing dust, only steaming also removes the bacteria and mold that can also be present in hay, Dr. Kelly Vineyard tells The Horse. Soaking hay can actually increase bacteria loads found in the hay. The longer the hay is soaked, the more bacteria proliferate.
Though steaming decreases mold, the clinical results of feeding steamed hay over soaked hay have been inconsistent, so additional management changes, including medical treatments as recommended, should take place to keep the horse comfortable.
Commercially available steaming units are easy and safe to use; all that's needed is an outlet and a hose to connect the steamer. Many units can handle an entire bale of hay at a time; they heat the hay to 212 degrees F, which can take between 60 and 90 minutes.
If horse owners or caretakers don't have access to a steamer, soaking hay can reduce dust. One effective method is to submerge a full haynet in a large muck tub filled with water for 30 to 60 minutes. Drain the net for 5 to 10 minutes, discard the water and feed the hay immediately to prevent excessive bacterial growth.
Read more at The Horse.
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