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Forage, frequently a combination of grass hay and legumes, is the fiber of choice among many horse owners and managers. Despite providing many of a horse’s required nutrients, maintaining the health of the gastrointestinal tract, and potentially reducing the development or occurrence of stereotypies in stabled horses when offered free-choice, hay is not without its problems.

“Hay quality can vary tremendously from bale to bale and may contain significant levels of respirable dust that can penetrate a horse’s lower airways,” noted Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., an equine nutritionist at Kentucky Equine Research (KER).

Respirable particles in hay include a milieu of microscopic troublemakers, including mold, bacteria spores, mite feces, and toxins. All of these can potentially incite environmental airway diseases such a recurrent airway obstruction and heaves (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD).

Soaking hay is a proven method for reducing respirable particles but can inadvertently leach minerals, thereby causing micronutrient imbalances. Alternatively, steaming hay also reportedly decreases dust but its impact on the nutrient quality of hay remains unclear.

Researchers conducted a study* using various commercial steamers as well as traditional soaking to measure impact on respirable particles, microbial contamination, and nutrient content of meadow hay. Two main findings were noted: (1) a 10-minute soak in water, a homemade steam bin, and steaming hay with a kettle did not reduce microbial contamination; and (2) a Haygain 600 high-temperature unit reduced microbial contamination and respirable particles by 99%, and preserved protein and mineral content, but reduced water-soluble carbohydrates by 18.3%.

The researchers concluded that high-temperature steaming is an effective technique “for producing hygienically clean fodder for stabled horses.”

Crandell affirmed those positive results, “Studies done at KER with the Haygain steamer found that steaming the hay increased hay intake by horses compared to hay that was soaked.”

Research also shows that omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for equine respiratory health, such as EO•3, an omega-3 supplement rich in DHA and EPA developed by KER.

*Moore-Colyer, M.J.S., J.L.E. Taylor, and R. James. The effect of steaming and soaking on the respirable particle, bacteria, mould and nutrient content in hay for horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. In press.

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