Hay steamers

[dalesnfellfan]

Anyone using a hay steamer? What make have you got and what would you recommend? what are the good and bad points about various makes? 

My hay is dusty this year and I have always soaked because Spud needed to be on a constant diet, my two girls don't really need the sugars reducing but are now both coughing as since turning them out at night I've not been soaking, reasoning that it's not so critical out in the fresh air. I had already decided to invest in a steamer before next winter as I now find lifting wet hay nets difficult, but I think I need to bite the bullet and look and getting one now as last year I restricted their grass more than usual and fed hay most of the summer which seemed to suit both ponies better, particularly Em's gut.

I don't want to spend a fortune so Haygain is out, looking for a decent quality one that will do enough hay for 2 ponies (about 3/4 bale) without breaking the bank too much. Any suggestions anyone?

[harveydales]

I am interested in any replies here. I'm in a similar situation. Frankie and Lily cough if on dry hay and our 2015 hay is on the dusty side - I'm still using our 2014 hay which was fine. I've looked at the Haygain but it's rather expensive.

Then I looked at DIY methods such as setting up a wheelie bin. I even bought 2 bins for Andy to convert for me but this year I've been soaking my hay in the bins, then wheeling it out to them, having drained the bins first. It has worked well and much less physical work than soaking hay nets but the next step is a steamer.

[zeldalithgow]

I've heard of people using a wallpaper stripper, plastic dustbin hole in bottom for steamer pipe bingo steamer or just using a dustbin and pouring a couple of kettles of boiling water in over/under the hay and waiting until its cool

[dalesnfellfan]

Yes I'm seriously wondering about DIY and thinking about buying a stripper and trying it with a large blue barrel I've already got, no wheels so would have to unload the hay into a barrow, but would allow me to try it with very little cost. I do wonder how long a domestic wallpaper steamer would last, I don't suppose they are meant to be used every day, but if it works, when it gives up the ghost it would then be worth investing in a heavier duty one.

Most of the cheaper ready made steamers seem to use what look like domestic steamer units anyway, I too like the look of the haygain steamers and they look robust and well made but the cheapest is £500 for a one horse unit, 8kg of hay, which would mean putting it on twice every day. The unit which would suit me would be the 2 horse which does 1/2 to 3/4 bale which is about what I get through for my girls, this is £1000, which I just can't justify.

[zeldalithgow]

Maybe they are not meant to be used every day but it would be a relativly short time per day compared to stripping a room of wallpaper - worth a try