Haydrator Benefits
Dr. Bruce Watt - Caledon Equine Hospital
Soaking hay is well established as a remedial practice for horses suffering from chronic lower airway respiratory conditions. Hay soaking does not solve the problem but does reduce the clinical signs of coughing in many cases. What is far more beneficial for horses is soaking their hay as a preventative measure. Soaking hay in advance of feeding all horses will significantly reduce their inhaled exposure to dust, pollen, fungal spores and other allergens. Thoroughly soaking hay has been shown to reduce air born dust by over 90%.
Another benefit of hay soaking is an increase in water consumption, which is always beneficial to a horse’s digestive tract. Dry hay is also thought to be a risk factor for impaction colic, which is a particular concern in stabled performance horses. Total immersion of hay for 10 minutes can increase the water content of dry hay from approximately 10% to nearly 50% moisture.
Soaking
Feeding dry hay can lead to progressively reduced respiratory capacity and eventually even chronic conditions such as heaves. Reduced respiratory capacity negatively impacts the performance of the horse, and its overall health.
Research has shown a greater than 90% reduction in particulate matter can be achieved by thoroughly soaking hay for the optimal time of 10 minutes, dramatically reducing airborne dust which can affect respiratory capacity.
Soaking hay can help maintain respiratory health, and reduce the risk of having to rely on expensive long-term drug therapy for the treatment of respiratory ailments.
Ensuring adequate water intake is an important factor in the maintenance of a healthy digestive system. Decreased water consumption increases the risk of impaction.
Using a 10 minute immersion cycle can increase the water content of hay from 10% to 50% with a minimum and acceptable loss of nutrients. Horses require 2-3 L of fresh water per kg of feed. Hay at 50% moisture can supply 15 - 25 % of a horse’s daily water intake.
Soaking hay results in significant re-hydration, thereby helping to maintain a horse’s water intake, and reducing the risk of impaction
Haydrating is the all-natural way to control dust in hay.
Haydrating
- It’s clean. The Haydrator is a self-contained unit which soaks small square bales whole, and creates very little mess compared to other methods of soaking hay.
- It’s consistent. The Haydrator thoroughly soaks and drains bales for the same amount of time every time, reliably reducing dust and re-hydrating the hay.
- It’s convenient. The Haydrator is automated and has the ability to soak large volumes of hay while minimizing hay handling – no heavy wet bales to lift!
