| SOAKING | STEAMING | |
|---|---|---|
| Significantly reduces sugars in hay (part of NSC%) 1 | ||
| Reduces glucose/insulin response (peaks) in the horse 2 | ||
| Maintains levels of protein in the hay 3 | ||
| Reduces dust levels in hay 4 | ||
| Reduces bacteria in hay known to cause respiratory disease 5 | ||
| Ideal for horses with conditions that require low-sugar diets: | ||
| - Laminitis and founder | ||
| - Equine Metabolic Syndrome 6 | ||
| - Insulin Dysregulation (insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia) | ||
| - Muscle issues like PSSM and MFM | ||
| - Those that are overweight or obese and need less calories 6 | ||
| Also beneficial for horses with HYPP (reduces potassium in hay) | ||
| When the vet recommends soft or wet hay (e.g. post colic surgery) | ||
| For extra hydration | ||
| Helpful for horses with chronic respiratory disorders like Equine Asthma Syndrome (previously COPD or “heaves”) |
- The effect of soaking on carbohydrate removal and dry matter loss in orchardgrass and alfalfa hays. Martinson K, Jung H, Hathaway M, Sheaffer C. JEVS Vol 32, Issue 6, June 2012, pp 332-338.
- Insulinemic and glycemic responses to three forages in ponies. Carslake HB, Argo CM, Pinchbeck GL, Dugdale AHA, McGowan CM. Vet J. 2018 May;235:83-89.
- The effect of five different wetting treatments on the nutrient content and microbial concentration in hay for horses. Moore-Colyer MJS, Lumbis K, Longland A, Harris P. PLoS ONE. 2014 Nov 26;9(11):e114079.
- Effects of soaking hay fodder for horses on dust and mineral content. Moore-Colyer MJS. An Sci. 1996 Oct;63(2):332-342.
- The Haybiome: Characterising the viable bacterial community profile of four different hays for horses following different pre-feeding regimens. Daniels S, Hepworth J, Moore-Colyer M. PLoS ONE. 2020 Nov;15(11):e0242373.
- Considerations for the use of restricted, soaked grass hay diets to promote weight loss in the management of equine metabolic syndrome and obesity. Argo CM, Dugdale AHA, McGowan CM. Vet J. 2015 Nov;206(2):170-177.
