Product Review: HayGain Hay Steamer
For those that habituate in areas that frequent (unbearably) hot, humid summers; frigid, subzero winters; or dry, arid temperatures year round, respiratory issues seem to be just as common as seasonal allergies or leaves changing colors.
However, the innovators at HayGain have created a solution for keeping your horse’s lungs comfortable and meal time more enjoyable. Used by professionals, Olympic/Gold Cup/Pan-Am Games/4* Eventing Champions, and amateur horse owners alike, the HayGain Hay Steamer maximizes the nutritional value of hay, eliminating toxins, dust, bacteria, and unwanted weeds, while improving horse’s respiratory conditions for those that suffer from coughing, allergies or weakened immune systems.
“We were always concerned about infection and pneumonia, and HayGain steamed hay was a huge thing for us… I could really feel the effect when I rode [recently-retired star partner] Ballynoe Castle R.M, and his career really took off and he was a much more relaxed horse. I put all my horses on it and felt it was a huge asset.”
- Buck Davidson, International Event Rider, Team USA
World Equestrian Games in 2010 & 2014, Olympic alternate in 2008 & 2012
A “Tail” As Old As Time
Developed by a group of equine enthusiasts back in the early 2000s in southern England, the HayGain was a brainchild of horse owners who were concerned about the nasal discharge, coughing, heaving, and other respiratory problems in their horses. They realized – much like a hot shower or steam room helps to open up blocked airways and steaming vegetables to bring out their best nutrient content – these same principles could apply to their horse’s forage.
While soaking hay is a centuries-old method of controlling airborne particles, it isn’t entirely effective, and doesn’t eliminate potentially harmful bacteria that may be ruminating within each bale. In 2007, the HayGain was born and the results were proven – clean, dust and mold free, palatable hay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgxk9nTyifc
While soaking hay can be a quick, on-the-go way of dampening hay, bacteria and mold-inducing spores can still linger – up to 55%! Thankfully, HayGain has been scientifically proven as an effective, safe way to reduce airborne particles (mold, dust, etc) by up to 98%. As a result, horse’s can receive quality, nutritionally-maximized forage with 0% mold, fungal spores, bacteria, and yeast that can cause equine asthma and chronic respiratory inflammation. Hay will become so palatable to your horse that he will want to gobble every flake, saving money on wasted food or messy water buckets from dunked hay! Plus, the HayGain is clean and easy to use, saving users from dealing with messy, heavy Rubbermaid containers filled with gallons upon gallons of water for minimal results.
While HayGain improves horse’s airway quality with their hay-treating system and prevents inflammatory airway diseases by up to 65%, it also boasts a variety of health benefits that any horse can appreciate.
- Increased hydration – Steamed hay has an increased water content of over 3x its normal value, ensuring your horse is getting the water intake needed to keep his digestive system running smoothly
- Palatability – Picking eaters have no match against the HayGain, as it boosts the smell, taste, and texture of forage.
- Allergy reduction – Sensitive horses with allergy related issues such as coughing, skin-conditions, etc. can benefit from the reduced dust, air microbials, and yeast/mold spores found in poor-quality hay.
- Maximize performance – Hay is the #1 source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals for horses. HayGain offers top-quality results with hay treated from its system to maximize respiratory, digestive, and ultimately, athletic performance.
“Hay is crucial for the health, well-being and performance of horses. HayGain ensures for us that our horses get what they need and nothing that they don’t from their hay.”
- Beezie Madden, International Showjumper, Team USA
Four Olympic medals, Three Pan American Games medals, 4x World Championship medals
How It Works
Steaming hay is a relatively quick process that can be easily done during riding, feeding, stall cleaning, or everyday barn chores. Because each HayGain is equipped with a timer, each bale or flake will have the perfect “cook time,” every time. Even if left overnight, the HayGain allows steamed hay to be contained for up to 24 hours, allowing in-advance steaming to be done.
Available in unique options to fit various needs and lifestyles, the HayGain is available to order from Big Dee’s in portable and half-bale units – perfect for home, trailer, and away at competition. The full bale option is great for barns that have multiple horses eating steamed hay. A great accessory to all the HayGain Steamers is the Non Shrinking HayGain Hay Net which are convenient for using in any of the Steamers.
The finishing touch to your HayGain System would be the Forager which is a patented slow feeder that has several unique features the ensure your horse is getting the most from their hay and wasting less of this precious resource. The base can be filled with sand or be secured to the wall for pushy horses that may try to knock it over. There are also 2 interchangeable inserts included with the Forager that regulate the feeding rate. Using a slow feeder encourages your horse to eat at a more consistent pace so their gut is in a healthier, more regulated state. The upright design also keeps your hay clean and off the ground so it won't mix with soiled shavings or dirt.
Each HayGain steamer is designed with a patented manifold system that hold flakes or bales in place and injects high-temperature steam evenly from the inside out. Its double insulated chest and aluminum manifold materials enables the steam to reach ultra-high temperatures within the chest (up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit), maximizing the effectiveness of the unit.
Final Thoughts
Whether you ride, race, compete, or use as a preventative/treatment measure, the HayGain is the ultimate game-changer. Not only will it help to increase your horse’s respiration, appetite, safety, forage and water consumption, it’s backed from years of scientific research and testimonials from some of the top professionals and trainers in the world. Experience the difference for yourself!
Before I was introduced to HayGain, I was soaking hay for Brentina to make sure that it was more palatable and dust free. Then I found HayGain and not just Brentina but every horse in our barn is so happy. Now after our horses are fed, the only sound you hear are the horses chewing. I no longer hear sneezing or coughing due to dust or mold spores. Once you have fed HayGain you will never go back!
- Debbie McDonald, International Dressage Rider, Team USA
US Equestrian Dressage Team Chef d’Equipe Olympic and World Cup medalist
HayGain Steamer FAQs
My horse does not cough and appears healthy – do I need a Haygain?
Exposure to respirable particles such as mould spores and bacteria can induce allergic responses and develop a hypersensitivity reaction in the horse. Even the best quality hays are high in respirable particles. These particles form the dust that you cannot see (they are less than 5 µm in size), and have a 50% chance of being inhaled deep into the lungs, causing the respiratory disorder Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO). Minimising the amount of dust your horse is subjected to will help to prevent respiratory problems.
My horse has COPD/RAO/Heaves can I feed Haygain steamed hay?
Yes, absolutely! Respiratory diseases can be effectively managed by minimising respirable dust, mould spores and bacteria in the horse's environment, particularly those in the horse's breathing zone. Since hay contains high concentrations of these and the horse's nose is in the hay while it is eating, it is vitally important to reduce this source of dust by steaming the hay.
Will my horse stop coughing?
Results are often reported within days of using the Haygain but do depend on the individual horse, the cause of the cough and other environmental factors. For example if you change to feeding Haygain steamed hay but the horse remains on a dusty straw bed, while you will probably see some improvement it will be compromised by the other source of respirable dust. Equally if you make changes to your horse’s feeding and management regime but the horses stabled either side, sharing the same air space have dry hay and straw bed then again the improvement may not be as marked.
What is the difference between soaking and steaming?
Soaking hay will dampen the spores down and make them swell so they are less likely to be inhaled. With steaming the combination of the heat and the moisture actually kills the spores, eliminating the allergenic respirable particles.
What makes Haygain stand apart from other hay steamers?
Haygain is the only scientifically proven system to kill mould spores including Aspergillus, as well as bacteria and dust mites. The nutritional value and goodness are maintained with improved palatability.
How much water will be used?
The hay will absorb and therefore hydrate bringing it back towards its original moisture content, approximately 15+% of its original weight but the hay is neither soggy or heavy. The HG-PB (HG2000/HG600) will actually use about 4 ½ litres of water per cycle, some will be absorbed by the hay, some will be released as steam when you open the lid and some will be the residue of on average a tea-cup amount of water (condensed steam) which remains from each steam cycle and drains out of the drain hole in the bottom of the hay chest.For example if you are using an HG2000 and paying 10 pence per Kw hour it will cost 27.5p per hour.
Does the outside of the container get hot?
All of the Haygain range are made from composite materials with highly efficient thermal properties so although the inside of the container can reach over 100 degrees C the outside is just warm to touch. Therefore, Haygain hay steamers are environmentally friendly and energy saving.
Can I steam Haylage?
Absolutely! Haygain will improve the hygienic quality of any forage. Scientific studies have also shown it will increase the shelf life of haylage by up to 4 days.
Once steamed, how long before you feed the hay and how long does it last?
The hay is very hot when you first take it out and should be handled with care but it cools very quickly once in the air and can be fed immediately. It is best fed while it is warm and steamy and it would appear most horses prefer it like this but otherwise should be used within 24 hours.
What does steamed hay look and feel like?
Steamed hay is totally different to soaked hay and is damp rather than wet. The treatment is not about how wet it is but how hot it is. You will find the hay in the middle of the bale/ hay net will be quite dry. This is because when the steam comes out of the spikes it is at it’s hottest. As the steam travels through the hay and meets the plastic lid it will cool slightly, condense to water and drop back on to the hay. This results in the outside of the hay being wetter than the inside.
Does it matter if the hay dries out?
It is best fed while it is warm, straight out of the Haygain but you will find it cools and dries rapidly as soon as the air gets to it. This has no effect on the hygienic quality or palatability. We recommend feeding the hay within 24 hours to prevent contamination from environmental sources.
HayGain Forager Slow Feeder FAQs
Does The Forager really slow down eating? The holes look quite big.
The regulator of The Forager is less flexible than a haynet and therefore increases the difficulty of extracting hay through the holes. Testing was completed on several different variables, including loose hay and haynets, and showed an average 61% and 35% respective reduction with the easy white regulator and 106% and 73% respective reduction with the standard green regulator.
How does the feeding rate compare to a trickle/small-hole haynet, as opposed to a standard haynet?
Research by Ellis et al., (2015) looked at 4 haynets of varying sizes to establish the effect forage presentation had on intake behaviour. All smaller holed haynets (25-30 mm) were equally successful in slightly slowing feed intake down with an increased intake time of around 5 minutes/kg compared with the ‘large-holed’ haynet (75 mm). Night observations showed no difference in the time to finish eating between the haynets.
Ellis, A, D. Fell, M. Luck, K. Gill,L. Owen,H. Briars, H. Barfoot, C. Harris, P. (2015) Effect of forage presentation on feed intake behaviour in the stabled horse. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 165. 88-94.
In- house testing of the Haygain Forager has shown a reduction in intake rate by 35% compared with the white regulator and 73% with the standard regulator when compared to a haynet. CCTV footage has shown horses eating into their ration into the early hours of the morning, with the added benefit of being able to eat in a natural feed position.
How long does a regulator last & how does it stand up to horse's teeth?
The longevity of the regulator will vary depending on use but most customers can expect their regulator to last 3 months or longer. It is made from a flexible engineered food-grade plastic. This material is designed to be more durable than a haynet but more flexible than a metal grid (which has also been known to damage a horse’s teeth). The regulator will experience normal wear and tear from repeated use and will need to be replaced occasionally, but a worn regulator should not pose a safety or health hazard to your horse.
Is the Forager kick-proof?
The Forager has been designed to withstand a normal amount of horse interaction, including pawing, kicking, and scratching. We have observed horses interacting well and only in a playful manner with The Forager and have not seen them get frustrated enough to cause damage.
What is the purpose of the steel ring?
During the development of The Forager it became clear that regulator needed to be attached to the outside of the feeding area. The steel ring is what the regulator attaches to and what prevents the horse from tipping or by-passing the regulator. It is one of the components that makes The Forager unique and is an important part of its successful design.
What are the methods of securing The Forager? / Can The Forager be pushed over easily?
You may fill the base of the Forager with ~20 kg/45 lbs kiln-dried sand, or you may secure it to a metal tie-up ring on a wall on one or both sides using the tie up holes on the green top ring. The tie-up ring should be roughly the same height as the tie up holes.
I soak my hay - how does The Forager cope with wet hay (especially if you must weigh it down with sand)?
The sand is enclosed within the base; therefore, you can use soaked hay/dry hay/steamed hay/haylage in The Forager. The additional benefit of feeding soaked hay through The Forager is the drainage channels between the side walls.
What size pony can feed from The Forager?
The Forager can comfortably feed ponies as small as 10 hands.
