Why Steam Hay?

Support your horse's respiratory, digestive and overall health.

Forage is the main source of respirable particles.

‍ – Even hay of good nutritional quality contains dust, mold, bacteria and allergens.

Over 80% of sport horses experience inflammation in both the upper and lower airways, leading to breathing difficulties and impaired performance.

This respiratory inflammation is caused by inhaling microscopic particles, such as dust, mold, bacteria and allergens, which irritate the respiratory tract lining. Reducing exposure to these irritants is crucial for maintaining good respiratory health.

Is it normal my horse coughs?NO!

Coughing is the first clear sign of respiratory distress in horses. After lameness, respiratory issues are the second most common cause of decreased performance, according to veterinarians. A 2018 study of over 700 horses found that 88% had some form of respiratory disease. Common terms for these conditions include Equine Asthma, COPD, IAD, RAO, and Heaves.

Understanding Symptoms

Symptoms of respiratory disease in horses range from obvious to subtle.

Obvious symptoms include coughing, laboured breathing, wheezing, flared nostrils, and exercise intolerance.

Subtle symptoms may include the occasional cough, nasal discharge, slow respiratory recovery, and an unexplained decrease in performance.

As with anything, prevention is better than cure. The best way to prevent respiratory disease in horses is by reducing exposure to dust, mold, bacteria and allergens by providing clean forage in a well-ventilated area.

Treatments

Certain respiratory diseases in horses may necessitate veterinary intervention. Depending on their severity, treatments may involve systemic or inhaled corticosteroids to manage inflammation and excess mucus, as well as bronchodilators to open the airways.

However, these treatments are not suitable for long-term use. Due to the side effects involved, bronchodilators may also increase exposure to respirable particles, potentially exacerbating the issue and perpetuating a vicious cycle.

The best way to manage horses with respiratory disease is to reduce exposure to dust, mold, bacteria and allergens.

Prevention

Reducing dust in your horses' environment is the best way to prevent respiratory disease. Hay Steaming removes 99% of dust, mold, bacteria and allergens from forage.

Other factors to consider:

- Ensure stables are well ventilated

- Use low-dust bedding

- Feed from the ground to promote natural drainage of the airways

- Avoid disrupting dust around horses e.g. mucking out, sweeping or using leaf-blowers around horses

- Turn horses our for as long as possible

Hay Steaming Benefits

Steaming Hay with a NUVEQ Hay Steamer not only supports respiratory health!

Respiratory Health

Hay Steaming removes 99% of dust, mold, bacteria and allergens, found in even the highest quality forage. Forage is the main source of respirable particles which cause respiratory diseases in horses.

Digestive Health

A 2009 study found that horses fed poor hygienic quality hay were significantly more susceptible to colic than those fed clean hay. Feeding clean steamed hay can help reduce the risks and maintain good digestive health.

Reduces Allergens

Research indicates that horses developing allergies are more prone to additional allergies over time. Hay steaming effectively mitigates allergen exposure from the diet by removing them from forage, a significant source of allergens.

Supports Hydration

Keeping horses hydrated can be challenging during transport or competitions. Steaming hay increases the forage water content by three times, providing an effective way to help maintain your horse's hydration levels. This increased water content also aids the digestion process.

Improves Palatability

Horses love the smell and taste of steamed hay, enticing even the fussiest of eaters.

Optimise Performance

Respiratory health, digestive health, hydration, and diet have a huge impact on performance and are often key to success. By feeding steamed hay, you are enhancing these crucial factors for your horse.

NUVEQHay steamers

Colour Black
Brand NUVEQ®
Power Source Detachable Power Cable
Voltage 220 - 240V AC
Power/Wattage PRO 2.6 kW
Size H 98 cm x B 160 cm x L 94 cm
Inner Dimensions H 70 cm x B 130 cm x L 69 cm
Weight 73 kg
Capacity Approx. 30 - 35kg of forage
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NUVEQ® Hay Steamers

vitality and health for your horse.

Frequently asked questions

My horse doesn’t cough – should I still steam hay?

Absolutely, even if your horse appears healthy and isn't exhibiting any coughing or respiratory distress, it's important to understand the hidden factors that could impact their respiratory health. Despite the quality of hay, it can still contain respirable particles such as mold spores and bacteria, which have the potential to trigger allergic reactions and hypersensitivity responses in horses. These tiny particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing irritation and inflammation throughout the respiratory tract, and ultimately leading to conditions like Equine Asthma.

Research has indeed shown that horses fed steamed hay have a significantly reduced risk of developing Inflammatory Airway Disease. Given the dusty nature of most stable environments, steamed hay can serve as a proactive measure to minimize exposure and protect your horse's respiratory well-being. Therefore, integrating steamed hay into your horse's diet could be a preventative step towards maintaining their overall health, even if they currently show no respiratory symptoms.

Does soaking hay provide the same benefits as Hay Steaming?

While soaking hay may seem like a straightforward solution to reduce the inhalation of microscopic particles, it lacks the crucial step of deactivating mold and bacteria due to the absence of high temperatures. In fact, soaking can inadvertently increase the presence of harmful microorganisms. Research indicates that even a brief 10-minute soak can elevate bacteria content by as much as 150%. In contrast, Nuveq's high-temperature steaming process effectively deactivates mold and bacteria, ensuring the hay's hygienic properties for at least 24 hours.

Moreover, soaking hay results in a significant amount of post-soak liquid, which is highly polluting—nine times more so than raw sewage. Additionally, soaking consumes a substantial amount of water, ranging from 60 to 100 liters, whereas NUVEQ steaming requires as little as 2 liters, depending on the model. The minimal post-steam liquid produced by steaming is non-toxic.

Hay steaming preserves the nutrients of forage, whereas soaking leaches them out. Therefore, while hay soaking can be beneficial for weight loss purposes or when managing horses with conditions like laminitis or equine metabolic syndrome, it's crucial to consider replacing the minerals lost as a result of soaking, such as Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, and Calcium.

Studies consistently show that most horses prefer steamed hay over soaked or dry hay, with many expressing aversion to the taste and texture of soaked hay. This preference, combined with the health benefits of steaming, makes it a compelling choice for horse owners looking to optimise their equine companions' well-being.

Is it recommended to steam haylage or straw?

Yes, you can steam haylage or straw using NUVEQ Hay Steamers. Our steaming process effectively improves the hygienic quality of any forage, including haylage and straw. Scientific studies have demonstrated that steaming can increase the shelf life of haylage by up to 4 days.

How long will it take before I see any benefits of Hay Steaming?

Changes in respiratory health can often be noticeable within a few days of implementing hay steaming. However, the timeframe for improvement varies significantly among individual horses. Respiratory issues in horses are influenced by numerous factors beyond just the quality of roughage. Aspects such as posture, movement, and veterinary care play integral roles in managing respiratory diseases. Additionally, the severity of the condition must be taken into account.

The primary objective is to identify the underlying cause of respiratory issues through a thorough veterinary examination. This holistic approach considers various factors to ensure comprehensive management and treatment tailored to the specific needs of each horse.

Which NUVEQ Hay Steamer do I need?

For owners with 1 horse or pony, the NUVEQ Compact provides ample capacity, steaming up to 8kg of forage daily. However, for those with 1 or 2 horses, the NUVEQ Expert offers added convenience, accommodating a full conventional bale at once or up to 20kg of forage.

In larger stables with multiple horses, the NUVEQ Summit emerges as the superior choice, boasting the capacity for two conventional bales or up to 35kg of forage. This larger capacity streamlines the steaming process, making it ideal for managing the needs of multiple horses efficiently.

What makes NUVEQ Hay Steamers better than the alternatives?

The NUVEQ Hay Steamer boasts several notable features:

  1. Enhanced Efficiency: With an even faster steaming system, it ensures quick and efficient processing of hay.
  2. Overheating Protection: The steamer incorporates a built-in safety feature where the boiler automatically turns off once the steaming process is completed, mitigating the risk of overheating.
  3. Large Capacity: The NUVEQ Summit model offers an impressive 35kg capacity, allowing for steaming of large batches of hay at once.
  4. Easy and quick descaling: Simply remove one screw to empty collection monthly.
  5. Durable Construction: The steamer features a sturdy and robust shell design, minimizing the risk of cracking or damage during use.
  6. Easy Cleaning: The steamer can be cleaned quickly and easily, ensuring convenience in its maintenance routine.

These features collectively make the NUVEQ Hay Steamer a reliable and user-friendly solution for steaming hay, offering efficiency, safety, and durability for horse owners.