Agriculture Education

All horses require a healthy respiratory system to perform to their maximum capacity. Dust and fungal spores naturally discovered in hay compromise this.

HAYGAIN hay steamers solves the dilemma completely.

HAYGAIN hay steamers have been created by the specialists at Propress Ltd, who have more than 60 years of specialist experience in the steam industry.

More than 1 in 6 horses suffer from breathing troubles, severely affecting their health and performance.  Additionally, 80% of horses stabled part of the time have a degree of airway inflammation, even if they are asymptomatic; this undoubtedly has a detrimental effect on their performance. HAYGAIN hay steamers provide the perfect answer: the unit steams the hay at over 100?C, to destroy all the dust, spores and mould that are discovered in hay.

New HAYGAIN is a fully insulated unit with a distinctive function enabling steam to penetrate the centre of the bale, releasing steam which defuses outwards, ensuring the whole bale is steamed at the critically required temperatures [in excess of 100°C throughout.]

HAYGAIN are the only scientifically proven hay steamers that make sure the hay is clean by killing all spores.  It is robust and straightforward to maintain. The unit is created to take an whole strung hay bale, but if needed can also be utilized with hay nets or wedges of hay. The steamed hay is ready to feed in approximately 50 minutes and retains its complete nutritional value and goodness. HAYGAIN steamed hay is warm, sweet smelling and palatable. Research indicates it is successful at encouraging fussy eaters.

The typical misconception is to soak hay, which is not only messy and laborious but also reduces the nutritional content and produces a liquid waste that is classed as an environmental pollutant, in excess of ten times much more than human effluent.

Research

The revolutionary concept has been researched, developed and tested at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. Led by Dr Moore-Colyer, the study discovered that hay treated with HAYGAIN hay steamers destroys all mould and spores present, in effect sterilizing the hay.

Findings prove that 1 gram of untreated great top quality hay will contain around 7,750,000 spore colonies: HAYGAIN reduces that number to virtually . 

Troubles with Hay

Hay is undoubtedly the most ideal forage for horses. Its only flaw is the dust spores which can cause respiratory difficulties, so removing the spores results in the best forage.

Troubles associated with haymaking, particularly drying the hay, lead to mould and dust production and this accounts for the enormous variation in top quality of hay. The most important factor dictating the hygiene high quality of the hay is the moisture content during baling. The higher the moisture content, the higher the contamination with aerobic, thermophilic or thermotolerant organisms.

Hay dust occurs for numerous reasons and from four major sources:

Leaf shatter during the baling method. Soil, when dirt is splashed onto the cut hay. Mesophilic moulds – grow on the cut hay throughout damp periods prior to baling. Poor drying conditions promote their growth, which is typically the case with the unpredictable weather conditions of our world’s climate. Thermophilic moulds – grow at temperatures greater than 42oC; they grow on baled hay which has sufficient moisture to heat up while stacked.

The hay dust also causes troubles for humans, who are affected by the spores released from hay, causing hay fever and Farmer’s lung illness.

Allergens, such as dust and mould spores found in hay, lead to airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, accumulation of mucus, and induce Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Little Airway Disease (SAD).

In addition, along with respiratory challenges which contaminated hay presents, there are nutritional concerns. Moulds contain mycotoxins which could induce digestive problems in horses and may alter the nutritional status of the hay.

Overcome

Vets emphasise that the hygiene high quality of hay is far a lot more essential to a horse’s health than its nutritional value, due to modern feeding methods using tough feed and balancers.

HAYGAIN hay steamers transform hay, regardless of hygiene quality, into dust-free palatable forage, giving total peace of mind.

Savings and benefits beyond the horse’s health, will become evident by way of vet bills, forage costs and hay handling related allergies.

Design of HAYGAIN Hay Steamers

HAYGAIN steam chest is constructed of a double skinned foam filled composite for efficient thermal properties and strength. Its fit for purpose and practical design enables a full bale to be dropped in at floor level. Special patent pending steam manifold assembly delivers steam into the centre of the bale ensuring full steam penetration. A built-in thermometer ensures accurate readings for the required temperatures reached, in excess of 100?C, to kill harmful dust spores. HAYGAIN hay steamers are weatherproof with non corrosive fittings, mounted on heavy duty wheels with a guiding handle for easy movement. Lid is supported with gas strutted hinging mechanism. Propress steam boiler unit is made of stainless steel which will never corrode. Built in cycle timer and alarm buzzer.  Quite straightforward to use, merely filling the stand-alone Propress steam boiler with tap water. Rapid steam up with 2,5 Kw stainless steel heating element. Economic to run. Based on the average price being 10p per KWH, the steamer costs less than 25p per steam cycle. Fully guaranteed; Propress nationwide 24 hour after sales service.

Who Uses Haygain Hay Steamers?

“I have found the HAYGAIN an invaluable addition to my yard; it is an ingenious, simple way to feed guaranteed dust-totally free hay. Dressage horses have to perform as athletes and so it is important that their respiratory systems are able to meet the demands of the challenging sport.”

-     Peter Storr, International Dressage Rider and Trainer

“Top class forage is vital for any horse, specially race-horses whose lungs are important for ultimate performance. Even so it can be extremely hard to make or find excellent hay in the English climate. PROPRESS HAYGAIN ensures that hay, second rate or first class, does not contain any spores or dust that may well limit your horses performance. I was sceptical about such equipment but, having utilized a PROPRESS HAYGAIN hay steamer, I am entirely confident that the forage our horses eat will not impede their performance, but rather improve it, which I have not been able to be sure of just before.”
-     Polly Gundry, Point to Point trainer and Jockey

“I am a keen supporter of the concept of steaming hay and  recently  took part
in field trials with the PROPRESS  HAYGAIN from which I drew quite positive conclusions and was so  impressed with its special design and performance that i am now feeding only HAYGAIN steamed hay”
 -     Matt Ryan, International Event rider

 “I have suffered from hay fever for several years and handling hay gives me the exact same symptoms as sitting in a hay field in the middle of the summer, since I have employed the HAYGAIN hay steamer this is no longer the case.”
        -     Lucy Killingbeck, Show Horse Producer and International Showing Judge

Visit us at www.haygain.com to read a lot more about HAYGAIN hay steamers.