Posted: 2nd September 2016 | Back to news feed
Haygain hay steamers, are committed to improving the health and performance of your horse. Maintaining healthy respiratory systems all year round can be difficult. With horses often in the stables for longer periods of time, the exposure to dustier environments increases, through forage, bedding, feed, and stable ventilation. To keep your horse as healthy as possible Haygain hay steamers have come up with a few suggestions and factors to consider:
Ventilation
Ensure the stable is well ventilated to allow good circulation of fresh air. Air should enter the stable through open top doors, windows and vents. As the air warms from the horse’s body heat, it will rise and leave the stable at the highest point, creating a circulation of air.
Hay Storage
Stored dry hay is an obvious source of fungal spores and dust, so avoid storage too close to where the horse is stabled.
Drainage
Good drainage within the stable will prevent the build-up of urine which contains ammonia, a respiratory irritant.
Bedding
Dust-extracted large wood shavings, paper or cardboard are the most suitable types of bedding for as they contain minimal dust and fungal spores.
Hard Feeds
Concentrates fed in buckets may contain dust, which can be inhaled as the horse eats, amplified by the confined space of the bucket. This can be resolved by damping down the feed with some water.
Mucking Out
Move the horse out of the stable during mucking out as this generates a lot of airborne particles. Whenever possible, allow the dust to settle before the horse is put back. If the hay and feed are to be put in the stable after mucking out, this is best after the dust has settled.
Grooming
Grooming generates dust and should ideally be carried out outside to avoid it accumulating in the stable.
Forage
Although hay is undoubtedly the ideal forage for horses, it can be very dusty. The answer is the Haygain hay steamer, which is the only scientifically proven method to eliminate all dust spores. Feed the steamer hay from the floor, this method mimics the natural grazing posture, which reduces the intake of respiratory irritants and encourages airway drainage, the first line of defence against deep inhalation of feed particles such as hay dust.
HAYGAIN is currently available in four models: the HG-2000, 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 hay steamers on 0333 200 5233 or www.haygain.co.uk
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