Allergies in sport horses are more common than one might think, and they can adversely affect a horse's performance. Grand Prix dressage rider Sarah Hassler of Hassler Dressage, USA, turned to steamed hay a few years ago when one of her top horses, Harmony's Davidoff Hitt, was allergic to grass. Yes, you read that right - he was allergic to all types of grass, so he was also allergic to all types of hay.
Grass allergy in a dressage horse!
The bad news was that her Grand Prix dressage horse, Harmony's Davidoff Hitt, was allergic to grass. The good news was that his condition led the Hassler family to steamed hay.
Supplements and the meticulous cleanliness of his stable environment didn't help him. "We tried everything," says Sara. Then their veterinarian, Cooper Williams, DVM, suggested steaming the hay.
"We noticed the difference overnight," Sara recalls. "First of all, he loved it! His skin problems cleared up, and he stopped coughing so much."
No matter the situation, whether it's coughing or other allergy symptoms, the horses have responded wonderfully to steamed hay. There's simply no better solution to prevent horses from struggling with these kinds of problems."
Steaming hay eliminates up to 99% of breathable dust, mold, bacteria, and fungi that are present even in high-quality hay.
Its benefits were so obvious with Harmony's Davidoff Hitt that the Hasslers put all their horses on it - even a retired mare who lives full-time in the pasture, Sara Staffels. "I sent a small unit out with her and asked the barn manager to please keep her on steamed hay."
As a gold standard in dressage training, coaching, and competitive success, the Hasslers' program is equally known for its emphasis on horse care and management. Steamed hay contributes so much to the well-being of the horses, and for so long, that Sara is surprised when she encounters horse owners who are not familiar with the benefits of steaming. "Maybe I'm a bit biased," she admits. "But it shocks me when people spend so much money on their horses but don't know anything about steaming hay."
Considering the health benefits of steaming hay, there's no going back!
The Hassler horses don't travel without a steamer. "We live in two very highly allergen-prone areas, Maryland and Florida, and our horses have had no more issues thanks to our steamer," Sara explains. "Considering all the health benefits of steaming hay, you never go back!"
Hay steaming was primarily developed to protect and improve respiratory health. Since more than 80 percent of the active sport horse population suffers from some degree of respiratory problems - often without symptoms - Hay Steaming has prevented or made manageable these symptoms for thousands of horses, from Olympians to beloved backyard companions. It also adds water to the feed for digestive function, and its palatability turns formerly picky eaters into eager consumers.
"We're really known for our horse care and nutritional practices," Sara notes. "People are constantly asking us questions. When they see the hay steamers in our barn aisle, we're very happy to share the many benefits we've seen in our horses with them.
