Wetting/Soaking Hay for Horses with Respiratory Problems
- Topics: Article
Q:My vet recommended I soak my mare's hay for an hour, but I see you indicating just to wet it down. Is it just unnecessary to soak her hay or is it actually harmful in some way?
Cathi
A:There have been some published reports that soaking hay for an extended period of time results in a loss of nutrients. But if the goal is to eliminate dust particles in the breathing zone of the horse while the horse is eating hay, we have found that thoroughly wetting the hay immediately prior to feeding virtually eliminates the dispersion of particles while eating.
Editor's Note: Soaking hay to reduce levels of certain carbohydrates is often recommended for horses with metabolic issues, particularly those with a history of laminitis. For more information, see the article "Cutting Down on Carbs (For Your Horse) TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com. Already have an account?Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
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Written by:
Melissa Millerick-May, MS, PhD
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