What Is the Effect of Soaking or Steaming Hay for Horses?

Three mature Thoroughbred gelding were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square design trial to compare the intake and digestibility of dry timothy hay to the same hay that was either soaked or steamed. Voluntary intake, chewing time, and digestibility were recorded. During week 4, a complete collection trial was conducted and manure and hay samples were analyzed.

Voluntary intake was higher for the steamed hay than for the soaked or dry hay during the first week. Rate of intake was highest and number of chews rate was lower for the soaked hay. When expressed on a 100% dry matter basis, rate of intake and chewing rate were not different between treatments. Soaking or steaming reduces the water-soluble carbohydrate content of timothy hay, but it does not affect the digestibility of the protein, fiber, fat, ash, or residual sugar.

This KER research was conducted in 2012.

Read the entire research paper, titled The Effect of Soaking or Steaming Timothy Hay on Voluntary Intake and Digestibility by Thoroughbreds.