Haygain spoke with three top U.S. riders to find out how Haygain steamers helped them treat their fellow challenge riders’ equine coughs.
Kim F Miller, Equestrian Journalist
Jessica Springsteen
American top rider Jessica Springsteen has converted to steamed hay. Jessica began riding at age 5 on the family farm in New Jersey, achieving top rider results at an early age. At just 27 years old, a recent graduate of Duke University, she was a reserve rider for the 2012 Olympic team, went on to represent the United States in Nations Cup competitions, and now, Jessica Springsteen, is considered a top contender for the 2021 Olympics.
“I love steaming hay because it helps improve the respiratory condition of my horses, and it is an important treatment for equine cough. With Haygain, I can make sure that wherever I go, the hay is always free of dust and bacteria, so my horses have no problems during competitions.”
“[…] it helps improve the respiratory condition of my horses, and it is an important treatment for equine cough.”
Jessica Springsteen
Jamie Barge
Jamie and his herd of horses are located in Malibu, Calif. A member of the Nation’s Cup Team and a top rider selected for the World Equestrian Games and the top 10 Grand Prix in Florida, California and Canada in 2019, Barge also counts three World Cup finals among her major achievements.
“Luebbo had a bit of an equine cough last summer. It coughed once or twice when I started to mount it, then it would come and go intermittently. Since I have been using Haygain, the equine cough has disappeared! I was shocked at how quickly I saw the difference. His appetite has also improved dramatically-he used to advance a lot of hay in his box. They like steamed hay better, they eat every piece we give them! We decided to feed all our horses with Haygain.”
“Since I’ve been using Haygain, he hasn’t coughed! I was shocked at how quickly I saw the difference. His appetite has also improved dramatically.”
Jamie Barge
McLain Ward
The son of professional riders, McLain began riding and winning as a true top rider at an early age, earning the nickname “the Kid.” His enthusiasm for winning and, more importantly, for horses, has never faded.
Among his career highlights, McLain cites winning the World Cup Final with HH Azur, in Omaha, and the Spruce Meadows Masters with Sapphire. Still, it is hard to imagine a more exciting round than the team jumping with Clinta to capture gold for Team USA at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in North Carolina.
“We are incredibly happy to have added the Haygain steamer to our program; we have noticed a rapid increase in the breathing quality of our horses, especially in those with respiratory problems and equine coughs. Also, we have noticed that the hay is easier to chew and digest, which is always a concern for older horses.”
“We […] noticed a rapid increase in the breathing quality of our horses, especially in those with respiratory problems and equine cough.”
McLain Ward
Lee McKeever, McLain Ward FEI Groom of the Year 2018 barn manager for 31 years, says:
“One of McLain’s horses always had trouble breathing and suffered from an equine cough. He coughed a lot and it was difficult for him to catch his breath at the end of the trail. Since we purify the hay, his breathing has improved a lot. Haygain is easy to use and great for everyday use-when we go to shows, the steam always maintains the same quality of hay, allowing us not to upset the horses’ feeding routine during trips. Here at Castle Hill Farm we have 25 horses, we use Haygain twice in the morning and twice in the evening-even our pickiest feeders love the Steamed hay.”
“He used to cough a lot and it was difficult for him to catch his breath at the end of the course. Since we steam the hay, his breathing has improved a lot. “
Lee McKeever
