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20 Facts About Hay Steaming

20 facts about hay steaming

COSTS & SECURITY

  1. Electricity costs per steaming session: €1.60. The electricity costs per horse per day amount to approximately 53 cents (40 cents electricity costs and approximately 75 minutes of steaming time). This amounts to €15.90 per month per horse.
  2. The professional hay steamers are usually CE-certified and are therefore suitable for safe use in the stable.
  3. Ideally, the steamer should have its own protected electrical circuit. Therefore, especially in older barns, it is often necessary to install a new electrical line specifically for the steamer.
  4. Professional steamers are insured against damage. Unfortunately, homemade steamers often aren't.

WORKING HOURS

  1. Filling and emptying the hay steamer takes only a few minutes. Only stuffing the hay nets can take some time.
  2. During the steaming time of approximately 75 minutes, other things can be done. There's no need to stand by.
  3. The hay from the steamer can be fed immediately; the horses like to eat it warm.

INGREDIENTS

  1. The nutrients in the hay are barely altered by steaming. It can be compared to a steamer.
  2. Some studies report altered levels of crude protein digestible in the small intestine, but this likely depends on the hay. The supplemental feed should be adjusted accordingly.
  3. The energy content can be reduced by steaming, making it suitable for overweight horses.

HAY QUALITY

  1. Steaming kills almost all bacteria and mold spores in the hay, which can be potential allergens for horses.
  2. 95-100% of respirable particles (which cause lasting damage to the lungs) are reduced during vaporization.
  3. Steaming reduces mold spores in hay by 99% to 100%. Please note: hay that is already moldy cannot be improved by steaming.
  4. Steaming reduces bacteria in hay by 98% to 100% (watering increases bacteria by 150-500%)

HORSE WELFARE

  1. The steamed hay is particularly suitable for horses with respiratory diseases such as equine asthma and horses with dust or mold spore allergies.
  2. Feeding steamed hay has no known side effects. Even healthy horses can be fed steamed hay.
  3. Horses usually prefer steamed hay to dry hay and to watered hay.
  4. Horses usually prefer steamed hay to dry hay and to watered hay.
  5. The steamed hay can be safely fed for up to 24 hours. Of course, the hay should be stored as dust-free as possible.
  6. Steaming is only one part of the treatment. A veterinarian should always be consulted, and the horse should also be supported with medication if necessary.
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