Haygain, the benefits of steamed hay
Haygain eliminates 99% of respirable dust, mold, bacteria, fungi and other pathogens in your horse’s hay. Steamed hay, healthy horses.
Forever.
What can Haygain help you with?
Haygain hay steamers improve hay quality through a treatment that reduces the threat of respirable dust, mold spores and pathogens; a sterilization that makes hay highly palatable and nutritious.
Scientific research on hay steamers has shown that they can eliminate harmful molds, spores and fungal bacteria in hay. Each Haygain hay steamer introduces steam evenly throughout the hay, ensuring total treatment.
Breathable dust is reduced by up to 99%, and spores and bacteria are eliminated by the steam and high temperatures reached during treatment.
- Horses in stables are continually exposed to high levels of respirable dust that cause respiratory health problems ranging from mild to severe. In fact, 88% of horses suffer from inflammatory airway disease (IAD).
- Haygain hay steamers reduce airborne respirable dust, mold, fungi and bacteria in hay and Haylage by 99 percent.
- Haygain hay steamers are used and recommended by horsemen, trainers, veterinarians and scientists around the world.
Prevention
Preventing respiratory problems such as coughs, IAD, or asthma is much easier than curing them, because of the long way to go in veterinary treatment cases.
Lauren Kieffen
Team USA
Olympic Rider
“Prevention is always better than cure, which is why we prefer to feed our competition horses Steamed hay.”
Mild or Moderate Symptoms
Mild to moderate equine asthma, known as IAD, can affect horses of all ages. Clinical signs are usually subtle, and include poor output and occasional cough, but with breathing still normal when at rest. One study shows that 88% of horses examined suffer from IAD, and steamed hay from Haygain reduces the risk of IAD by 65%.
McLain Ward
Team USA
Olympic Jumper
“We are incredibly happy to have added the Haygain purifier to our program-we quickly noticed an increase in the quality of our horses’ breathing, especially in those with respiratory problems.”
Serious Symptoms
Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a performance-limiting, allergic airway disease similar to human asthma that affects genetically predisposed horses when exposed to allergens associated with the stall environment. One study found that 14% of the UK equine population suffers from SEA, resulting in coughing, nosebleeds, mucus, and breathing difficulties as a result of less airway inflammation and bronchial constriction.
Beezie Madden
Four Olympic medals
for show jumping
“Hay is critical to the health, well-being and performance of horses. Haygain ensures that our horses get only what they need from the hay, with no dangerous additions.”
- Horses in stables are exposed to high levels of dust, mold, fungi and bacteria in hay that can seriously affect digestive health.
- Steaming hay with Haygain reduces dust, mold, fungi and bacteria in hay and hay-silo by 99 percent, helping to reduce digestive problems.
- Haygain hay steamers are used and recommended for digestive health by world-renowned riders, trainers, veterinarians and scientists.
Prevention
Preventing mild digestive problems can significantly reduce the horse’s susceptibility to experiencing more severe symptoms, such as colic and ulcers.
McLain Ward
Team USA
Olympic Show Jumper
“I recognized the importance of removing bacteria and dust from hay… I never needed to be convinced about the value of Steamed hay.”
Mild or Moderate Symptoms
While it is recognized that unsanitized hay adversely affects horses’ respiratory health, research by Kaya et al (2009) has shown that horses fed poor-quality hygienic hay are significantly more susceptible to colic than those fed clean hay. The steamed hay reduces respirable particles by 99%, and rehydrates the hay by increasing its moisture content, helping to prevent dehydration.
Wren Burnley
DVM veterinarian and
Grand Prix Dressage Rider
“In my practice I also recommend Haygain for horses with respiratory and skin allergies, COPD, inappetence and colic.”
Serious Symptoms
Equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is a common problem among domesticated horses. Symptoms include poor appetite, loss of performance, and weight loss. Any period of low hay intake can lead to increased gastric acidity and a subsequent risk of ulcers. If your horse is at risk for EGUS, he should be encouraged to eat more hay as part of his diet, and using steamed hay helps further, given its high level of palatability.
Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp
Team USA
Knight of the CCI4* event
“When my 4* horse Deniro Z was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer, we knew that intestinal health was even more important to him than ever before. I immediately got in touch with Haygain … his performance and health improved, and now we have all our horses enjoying steamed hay every day.”
- Dehydration can affect a horse’s overall well-being and performance, and can even put its life at risk.
- In addition to reducing airborne dust, mold, fungi and bacteria in hay and hay-silo by 99%, Haygain hay steamers increase the horse’s water intake by almost 3 times.
- Haygain steamers are used and recommended for hydration by world-renowned riders, coaches, veterinarians and scientists.
The Importance of Hydration
Keeping the horse hydrated is not as easy as it sounds. Dehydration occurs when there is not enough water to support the body’s functions, the result of poor assimilation or excessive outflow.
A horse can lose up to 5 percent of its body weight in fluids before showing real signs of dehydration. This will undoubtedly affect its performance, but it can also be life-threatening. In fact, dehydration can also worsen respiratory diseases, such as inflammatory airway disease (IAD).
Steamed hay is a great way to increase water content and help offset dehydration. The amount of water absorbed will depend on the water content and maturity of the forage. An Earing et al. (2013) study found that purification by steam increased water content by almost 3 times.
Debbie Stephens
Two medals
in the Pan American Games
World record jumping
“Haygain is a victory for you and your horse. In the past, I would wet the hay and then soak it to prevent my horses from becoming dehydrated by digesting the hay. Haygain steams the hay, removing mold spores and dust that could give horses allergic reactions and colic.”
- Have some steamed hay and you will want to eat it yourself!
- Steaming not only reduces respirable dust, mold, fungi and bacteria in hay and hay-silo by 99%, but also makes it more palatable; in fact, horses will choose Steamed hay over dry hay or hay-silo.
- Haygain hay steamers are used and recommended for palatability by world-renowned riders, trainers, veterinarians and scientists.
Increased Forage Intake
Horses love the smell and taste of freshly steamed hay!
Four independent palatability studies showed that steamed hay was more palatable, and in most cases was the preferred choice over dry hay and hay-silo; this could increase voluntary forage intake compared with dry or soaked hay.
The Peasebrook Equine Clinic, in Gloucestershire, uses the Haygain purifier to make hay dust-free and improve palatability. Most hospitalized horses are resting in the stall or getting light exercise. It is critical that the clinic be able to provide them with clean, palatable fiber that does not make them too lively. Increasing the moisture supply to the horse through steamed hay is another important benefit, because sick horses are often reluctant to eat, so the increased palatability of steamed hay certainly helps.
Jamie Barge
Team USA
Three World Cup finals
Nations Cup member
“Since Luebbo has been on Haygain, he hasn’t coughed! I was shocked at how quickly I saw the difference. His appetite has also improved greatly-he used to leave a lot of leftovers in his stall, but with the Steamed hay from Haygain, he eats every piece we feed him.”
- Hay is the most important part of a horse’s diet, but it can also be the biggest source of skin allergies.
- Haygain hay steamers reduce respirable dust, mold, fungi and bacteria in hay and Haylage by 99 percent, helping sensitive or allergy-prone horses.
- Haygain hay steamers are used and recommended for skin allergies by world-renowned riders, coaches, veterinarians and scientists.
Helping the sensitive HORSE
Horses can become allergic to things they eat, inhale and touch, or through hypersensitivity to insect bites.
Researchers Lanz et al of the University of Bern confirmed the risk that horses suffering from an allergy at one time may develop other allergies in the future. Their study also showed that horses with hypersensitivity to insect bites increase airway hypersensitivity, even without showing visible symptoms of equine asthma. Thus, if the horse is sensitive or suffers from allergies, feeding steamed hay would help reduce the increased risk of developing equine asthma and other allergies.
When it comes to allergies and general horse health, it is important to minimize exposure to respirable dust and allergens where possible; hay is the most important part of the horse’s diet. Keep allergen exposure under control with a Haygain hay purifier.
Margie Engle
Three Medals
In the Pan American Games,
A Medal
In the World Equestrian Games,
10-time American Grand Prix Association Rider of the Year
“Haygain brings so many benefits to horses with allergies. Along with better breathing, my horse’s allergy-related skin condition was also resolved.”
- Respiratory and digestive health, hydration, and diet can have a huge impact on performance, and are often key to a horse’s success.
- Hay purification should be a top priority for the performance horse because it reduces airborne respirable dust, mold, fungi, and bacteria in hay and Haylage by 99%.
- Haygain hay Steamers are used and recommended for performance by world-renowned riders, trainers, veterinarians and scientists.
Poor Performance
Poor performance often results from a combination of factors, such as physical or psychological health problems. The quality of hay fed to the performance horse can be the determining factor in a horse’s good performance because of its impact on respiratory and digestive health. Since hay is known to be the highest source of dust in the barn environment, purification by steam is the only way to ensure that the hay fed is not the trigger for health problems.
Elizabeth Halliday-Sharp
Team USA
Knight of the CCI4* event
“When my 4* horse Deniro Z was diagnosed with a gastric ulcer, we knew that intestinal health was even more important to him than ever before. I immediately got in touch with Haygain … his performance and health improved, and now we have all our horses enjoying steamed hay every day.”
Optimal Performance
To be performing, a horse must possess excellent musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, and psychological function, and feed an adequate diet. External factors, such as weather conditions and the race environment, are unpredictable and often unmanageable elements. What can be managed instead is the horse’s stable environment and the quality of his hay.
Clean, palatable and moisturizing hay is a basic requirement for keeping horses in optimal condition.
Verity Smith
Para Dressage
French Team
“Szekit has no respiratory problems, but being a high-performance competition horse, the reduction of dust and bacteria in his diet due to Steamed hay allows him to perform at his best.”
For You
A Royal Agricultural University study showed that 25 percent of people who work with horses have a diagnosed respiratory condition such as asthma and hay fever. Steamed hay free of dust, mold and fungus will help your horse’s respiratory health, but also yours!
McLain Ward
Veterinarian and
Grand Prix Dressage Rider
“I don’t ever want to go back to soaking hay; as an asthmatic athlete, I can no longer put my nose in a regular bale of hay, but I can do it with a bale that came out of Haygain!”
For your Wallet
Forage is known to be the largest source of dust in the barn environment. By purifying the hay, 99% of this dust is removed, and it prevents respiratory health problems that would force you to call the vet. Steamed hay is also very palatable, which means less waste and less wastage.
An epidemiological study found that respiratory problems in racehorses are the second leading cause for lost training days. A dusty environment can have financial implications; not only in lost training days, but also in vet bills.
Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Winner of the US Racing Trainer Breeders Cup
“I use my Haygain to purify my racehorse’s hay. When we perform postrace tracheoscopies, we see that the trachea remains clean and clear. Haygain helped us minimize the amount of drugs used.”
For the Environment
Steaming hay dramatically reduces water consumption. Filling a container for soaking hay usually uses 50 to 250 liters of it. The volume of water used has an impact not only on water bills, but also on the environment. In addition, post-soaking water is contaminated with bacteria, molds, WSCs, proteins, and minerals that leach from the hay, making it an environmental pollutant that cannot be disposed of in the sewage system. Haygain Steamers use about 4 ½ liters of water per cycle and produce no environmental pollutants. Steamed hay is also very palatable, and horses rarely have any left over.
Anny
Haygain Customer
“I wish we had bought one earlier. The horses love it! Those we used to feed soaked hay for health reasons are now fed Steamed hay. We save much more water than soaking and they are very easy to use. They will never return to soaking. Haygain is a great product, thank you!”
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