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Elite Veteran
Posts: 863
  
| I've been reading about the Haygain but it's so pricey, I have 2 allergen horses and I'm wondering if this is alot of work to steam each feeding? Or am I better off using my equi resp I just got? I hate having to stand 30 min for each horse. I have a busy schedule, so I might try Equipulmin too. Thoughts anyone? |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
 
Location: Arkansas | Bump |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 682
Location: Northwest | I've been looking into getting the Haygain but just can't bite the bullet yet because of the price. I found instructions online for a homemade one. I might give it a whirl and if it seems to help then buy a Haygain.
http://www.horseandman.com/tag/make-your-own-hay-steamer/
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Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| I steamed hay for over 2 years.. I eventually just took the horse off of hay completely and feed chaffhaye with soaked alfalfa cubes. Steaming wasn't enough for him. For some horses it is enough and it is way better than watering since you are sterilizing the hay of fungal spores and mold. I made a steamer out of a Dewalt storage tote. It was big enough to fit 3/4 of a bale loosely. The I used an earlaxx steam generator and copper tubing. I steamed for an hour. |
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8555
Location: sunny california | I wish some of the races would give these away. I won't buy one and if I won a saddle I would just sell as I have what I want for saddles and do not want a trophy saddle. And do not ask me my opinion on trophy belt buckles LOL |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 889
| I don't know if this will help you...but my vet and I just came up with the game plan for my allergy crazy mare.
I don't steam or soak hay because she won't eat it. I use a haychix net and just shake and dampen the hay. Seems to work so far.
Just started her on Pala-Tech F.A. granules. There is a clinical study that showed horses responded to this omega fatty acid supplement just as well as steroids.
Also, started her on Rx antihistamine Hydroxyzine.
I also nebulize 3-4x per week especially in the summer. She is not as symptomatic in the winter months.
I also use Equipulmin daily...it does help, but I do have a hard time with the $150/gal price tag.
She hasn't been on the granules or antihistamine long enough to see results; less than a week.
Not sure if this will work for you...but may be worth asking your vet about? Good luck.
I also REALLY like the Cur-Ost products...but I cannot get this mare to eat it...and I got tired of shoving it down her throat.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 883
Location: Southern Indiana | Several people have made their own steamers...just google it. My problem with this is the time it takes and it wouldn't be very portable for shows.
Nebulizing and supplements only help a little. I would still do those things but I have been soaking hay for 5-30 minutes (depending on how much time I have) and it has made the most difference. I just put mine in a netted hay bag, place the bag down in a tub or muck bucket, & turn the hose on high and soak it down. It drains when you take it out. I hang it up in the stalls for the next morning. Mine eat theirs just fine wet. The only set back to this is when winter comes. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 863
| Thanks for the replies. I can't justify the cost of Haygain either right now :(
Especially if I don't even know if my one picky eater will eat it or not |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| TheDutchMan01 - 2017-07-21 12:31 PM
Several people have made their own steamers...just google it. My problem with this is the time it takes and it wouldn't be very portable for shows.
Nebulizing and supplements only help a little. I would still do those things but I have been soaking hay for 5-30 minutes (depending on how much time I have) and it has made the most difference. I just put mine in a netted hay bag, place the bag down in a tub or muck bucket, & turn the hose on high and soak it down. It drains when you take it out. I hang it up in the stalls for the next morning. Mine eat theirs just fine wet. The only set back to this is when winter comes.
I was going to suggest something like this, soaking in a net and then hanging for the following feeding.
The steaming is a process, but I think you do have a window of feeding time? Steamers chime in but if you steamed at night when to had the most time could you feed it the following morning and evening while you steamed the following days hay? Winter would also present an issue here if stored outside of a heated area, but it might make the busy schedule easier.
As also a busy person I'll say it - sometimes the required maintenance for a horse is more than a particular person is willing to do, does not make you a bad person, as there are plenty that require less maintenance. Just like every horses style or personality isn't a good fit and people sell for these reasons as well. |
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 Go For It!
Location: Texas |
I have one... I don't use it anymore. Too much trouble. I feed hay cubes exclusively now and haven't had an issues with them. I also do the Rebar Ranch Lung Health Formula in my nebulizer daily which has been a God-send for this horse, and give the Equine Drench too.
Good luck!
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