Posted: 16th April 2015 | Back to news feed
HAYGAIN hay steamers are scientifically-proven to produce palatable, dust-free hay and haylage, helping to maintain a healthy respiratory system and enhance equine well being. Here the experts at HAYGAIN explain the benefits of steaming hay and haylage.
- Even though you feed good quality hay and haylage. Don’t be fooled into thinking that good quality means that dust, mould and fungal spores will not be present. The fact that a horse must be fed long fibre, i.e. hay / haylage, to maintain normal gut function and ingestion behaviour, will mean that it is vital that your horse is fed quality hay and haylage that is free from dust and mould, to reduce the risk of respiratory problems.
- Steaming with a HAYGAIN hay steamer is proven to kill mould, fungal spores and bacteria – the allergens found in hay and referred to as “dust” – by thoroughly steaming from the centre outwards at over 100C. This type of dust is easily inhaled, reaching deep-down into the airways where it can cause allergenic respiratory disorders which seriously affect the breathing of your horse. Although some stabled horses show no reaction to the dust (e.g. coughing, nasal discharge, expiratory effort), research has shown that many have lost 30% of their maximum lung capacity, which invariably leads to a loss in performance.
- HAYGAIN steaming is so easy; the forage is placed into the fully insulated, double skinned steam chest and pushed firmly down onto the spiked manifolds. The forage should be steamed for 50-60 minutes depending on environmental temperature, bale density and operating routine. The freshly steamed forage is extremely hot but quickly cools and can be fed immediately. There is little or no change after 24 hours to the benefits of steamed hay and also independent research has shown that HAYGAIN steamed haylage is cleaner after 4 days than a freshly opened bale.
- Soaking is the traditional way to deal with dusty fodder. Soaking does indeed reduce the airbourne dust, but it also causes significant loss of valuable nutrients, increases the bacteria content of the hay, produces post-soak liquor that is an environmental pollutant and is almost impossible to do in freezing weather. Steaming with HAYGAIN creates no waste, retains the quality of the forage, improves palatability and eliminates the dangers from frozen water on yards.
- Feeding poor quality hay poses other risks to health. One of the biggest causes of death of horses in the UK is colic, and feeding poor quality hay, that is low in nutrient value and high in mould and bacteria significantly increases the risk of colic. This risk will be even greater this year particularly if soaking this season’s poor quality forage.
- Steaming is cost-effective. HAYGAIN steamed hay and haylage are very palatable so there is less wastage, savings are seen in water bills (if soaking) and potential vet bills in the long term.
HAYGAIN is currently available in four models: the HG-1000, HG-600, HG-ONE and HG-GO. With all the units steamed hay is ready to feed immediately after steaming cycles of less than 50 minutes depending on model. Complete nutritional value and goodness are maintained with improved palatability and digestibility.
For further information please contact HAYGAIN on (0333) 200 5233 or visit www.haygain.com
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