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HayGain
HayGain transforms any hay into dust-free forage giving horses a healthier respiratory system and maximising their performance
What is HayGain?
HAYGAIN steams an entire strung hay bale, its unique method enables steam to penetrate the center of the bale and diffuse outwards ensuring even steaming throughout.
The benefits of feeding HAYGAIN treated hay:
It transforms any hay into dust-free, palatable forage.
Hay is undoubtedly the most ideal forage for horses. Its only flaw is the dust spores which can cause respiratory problems so remove the spores and you have the perfect forage.
So where do the dust spores come from and how can we eliminate them?
Problems associated with haymaking, particularly drying the hay, lead to mold and dust production and this accounts for the huge variation in quality of hay. The most important factor dictating the 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 several reasons and from four main sources:
- Leaf shatter during the baling process.
- Soil, when dirt is splashed onto the cut hay.
- Molds (Mesophilic) grow on the cut hay during damp periods prior to baling. Poor drying conditions promote their growth, which
- is often the case with the varying weather conditions of our world's changing climate.
- Molds (Thermophilic) grow at temperatures greater than 108oF; they grow on baled hay which has sufficient moisture to heat up while stacked.
Allergens such as hay dust can induce Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO) commonly known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD). The hypersensitivity leads to airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction and accumulation of mucus in the airways and can exasperate the condition of bleeders. Inflammation of the airways can be caused by direct physical irritation from dust or by toxin production bacteria.
In addition, along with respiratory challenges which contaminated hay presents, there are nutritional concerns. Molds contain mycotoxins which could induce digestive problems in horses and may alter the nutrional status of the hay.
In 1998, the innovative idea of steaming hay was proved an effective alternative to soaking by Blackman and Moore-Colyer. However, until now there has been no proven method of steaming and so has not been an option for the equine industry. The research we have carried out using the HAYGAIN not only supports and confirms the benefits of steaming hay but also provides the ideal way to steam hay.
Steaming the hay at the temperatures achieved by the unique design of the HAYGAIN not only dampens down the spores as with soaking and other hay treatments but we have proved through the laboratory tests actually kills them so the hay is in effect sterilized while producing a more palatable feed.
Savings and benefits beyond your horse's health become evident in potential reduction of vets' bills, forage costs and hay handling related allergies (hay fever).
The advantages of HAYGAIN steaming:
Healthy
Allergen-free
Gains in performance
Attention to detail
Ingenious
No nutritional loss
For more info go to: www.haygain.com.au