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Post by sheadley99 on Nov 16, 2008 14:23:45 GMT -1
Hi, the hay that the farmer bailed this year at the little farm where Daniel lives is a bit fusty and dusty and i'm thinking about soaking it as he won't eat it. Just wondered if this might get him to eat it? I've never done it before, so how long should the hay be left soaking and can the same water be used more than once or does it need to be fresh? Any other ideas welcome!  |
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Post by valerie n scout on Nov 16, 2008 16:57:32 GMT -1
my friend used to soak her horses hay overnight, but it does loose some of its feeding content.been on a couple of sites and theres loads of conflicting advice and some expensive "steamers" that the horseys folk recon dont work anyway  i hope one of the girls can help i think am confused  |
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Post by jec248 on Nov 16, 2008 19:59:29 GMT -1
I was once told that if you soaked the hay overnight it had almost no calories left in it.  so I thought of doing this now and then so Magic would loose weight. |
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Post by harveydales on Nov 16, 2008 20:26:18 GMT -1
I don't think soaking it will make it more palatable to Dan but that's based on personal experience with my lot. If the hay is just a bit dusty then a quick soak/dunk should be helpful so long as it doesn't dry out again before you feed it. I used to soak dusty hay for about 20 minutes at the most, often far less but I think mst people soak for longer. If it is really fusty then I wouldn't risk feeding it at all. Soaking does does disolve some of the sugars and so reduce the calories and it makes the mould spores swell and go sticky so they don't cause breathing problems.
You shouldn't reuse the water once you've soaked one lot of hay because toxins quickly build up in the used water, also it can ferment.
I think there will be a lot of dusty hay this year with the rotten summer we had!
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Post by loopylou on Nov 26, 2008 18:57:30 GMT -1
I soak mine for about 20 - 30 minutes before feeding it to the ponies in the evening. It then stays damp over night.
The hay I feed outside doesn't get soaked.
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Post by southerner on Nov 26, 2008 22:23:50 GMT -1
Hay should be soaked for 30 minutes for dust spores, 12 hours to reduce feed value, then drain well. Water should always be replaced after use. Soaked hay should not be left to dry again before being used. You can also steam by placing hay in dustbin - add 2 kettles of boiling water and fit tight lid - leave for 20 minutes and it reduces the dust.
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Post by loopylou on Nov 27, 2008 10:10:57 GMT -1
That is also a very useful tip to know, never heard that before, but might give it a go. Sounds a lot less hassel.
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Post by jec248 on Dec 9, 2008 10:24:09 GMT -1
. You can also steam by placing hay in dustbin - add 2 kettles of boiling water and fit tight lid - leave for 20 minutes and it reduces the dust. I have started doing this since reading this post. |
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i hope one of the girls can help i think am confused 
