The benefits of feeding HAYGAIN treated hay

It allows you to transform any hay into dust-free, palatable forage.

Hay is undoubtedly the most ideal forage for horses. Its only flaw is the dust spores which can cause respiratory problems so remove the spores and you have the perfect forage.

 

So where do the dust spores come from and how can we eliminate them?

 

Problems associated with haymaking, particularly drying the hay, lead to mold and dust production and this accounts for the huge variation in quality of hay. The most important factor dictating the quality of the hay is the moisture content during baling. The higher the moisture content, the higher the contamination with aerobic, thermophilic or thermotolerant organisms.

 

Hay dust occurs for several reasons and from four main sources:

 

  1. Leaf shatter during the baling process.
  2. Soil, when dirt is splashed onto the cut hay.
  3. Molds (Mesophilic) grow on the cut hay during damp periods prior to baling. Poor drying conditions promote their growth, which is often the case with the varying weather conditions of our world's changing climate.
  4. Molds (Thermophilic) grow at temperatures greater than 108oF; they grow on baled hay which has sufficient moisture to heat up while stacked.

 

Allergens such as hay dust can induce Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) commonly known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD). The hypersensitivity leads to airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction and accumulation of mucus in the airways and can exasperate the condition of bleeders. Inflammation of the airways can be caused by direct physical irritation from dust or by toxin production bacteria.

 

In addition, along with respiratory challenges which contaminated hay presents, there are nutritional concerns. Molds contain mycotoxins which could induce digestive problems in horses and may alter the nutrional status of the hay.

 

In 1998, the innovative idea of steaming hay was proved an effective alternative to soaking by Blackman and Moore-Colyer. However, until now there has been no proven method of steaming and so has not been an option for the equine industry. The research we have carried out using the HAYGAIN not only supports and confirms the benefits of steaming hay but also provides the ideal way to steam hay.

 

Steaming the hay at the temperatures achieved by the unique design of the HAYGAIN not only dampens down the spores as with soaking and other hay treatments but we have proved through the laboratory tests actually kills them so the hay is in effect sterilized while producing a more palatable feed.

 

By using the HAYGAIN you can transform you own hay, regardless of quality, into a dust-free palatable forage, eliminating a variable and giving you peace of mind....

 

Savings and benefits beyond your horse's health become evident in potential reduction of vets' bills, forage costs and hay handling related allergies (hay fever).

 

The advantages of HAYGAIN steaming:

 

 Healthy

Allergen-free

Gains in performance

Attention to detail

Ingenious

No nutritional loss

HAYGAIN.... simply, the solution.

 

 

 

WHO ELSE IS AFFECTED?

 

 

It is not just horses who are affected by the spores found in hay. Perennial Rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever can be triggered by the spores.

 

By only handling the hay as a whole bale prior to steaming, the dust remains largely undistrurbed and so poses a decreased risk to the person handling it, as well as any horses nearby.

 

" I have suffered from hay fever for many years and handling hay gives me the same symptoms as sitting in a hay field in the middle of summer; since I have used the HAYGAIN hay steamer this is no longer the case."

 

Lucy Killingbeck, show horse producer and international showing judge.

 

Did you know?

Farmer's lung disease is caused by spores found in mouldy crops including hay.