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Hay steamers (in the US)

Horse Care
#1

If you’ve tried the models available in the US, which have you liked? Why and why not?

I am looking to buy a half bale model and am between the Hay Gain and the Happy Horse products. I wish I could see/touch them in person to compare. the HG LOOKS sturdier but there are many complaints about little annoying aspects of it (water tray is too small, lid won’t stay up, etc.) In the photo the HH looks like a glorified rubbermaid tote-- will it hold up?

Has anyone MADE one? Could a relatively NON HANDY person like myself made one if I had a handy friend and showed him what to do? Are the homemade ones safe? I don’t need someone getting scalded on a gizmo I built…

#2

Message Graycatfarm. She has one.

#3

Go to http://maineequineassociates.com/equine-articles/horse-management/steamed-hay/ for instructions on how to make one yourself. It comes from our vet. There are plenty of good articles on the site. He writes monthly for The Horse’s Maine, a local newspaper.

#4

There was just a thread on building your own hay steamer in the Around The Farm forum (two threads, actually):

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?481068-Anybody-build-their-own-hay-steamer&highlight=hay+steamer

http://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?481084-Anybody-build-their-own-hay-steamer&highlight=hay+steamer

My attempt at building my own was unsuccessful, but I do not say that to discourage you! I know where I went wrong with mine-- I tried to use a dinky handheld steam cleaner that we already owned when I really needed something that produced a larger volume of steam. If I had been more committed to the idea, I would have gone out and purchased something better… but seeing as how my attempt was just an experiment to try to salvage some otherwise unuseable hay, it worked out better just to replace the hay. :slight_smile:

#5

Bump, I have decided for liability reasons NOT to try the handyman route. Between the Happy Horse and the HayGain I am leaning towards Happy Horse. I would be very grateful for anyone with first hand experience using either. There are some reviews on the HayGain on sites that sell it (Smartpak, etc.) but I can’t find that many reviews for the current model of Happy Horse 1/2 bale steamer…

1 Like
#6

A boarder had the HayGain at a farm I worked at. I have no complaints about it. It’s really easy to use and works well. It seemed to be very sturdy–she had had it for several years before she came to our farm with no issue. I have no experience with the Happy Horse.

You need to make sure you don’t pack it to tightly or the hay in the middle won’t steam. I assume this is true of all hay steamers though.

#7

I am just following up on up on this post. What product did you end up with and how do you like it?

#8

I took the horse for allergy testing and it turned out he had much different ones than I was guessing and he did not need steamed hay. So I didn’t buy a steamer

#9

I am VERY lazy, and I kept thinking about how much my oldie would like some steamed hay… One day I just went out and bought a wallpaper steamer (it’s about 60$, walk in and buy it at a hardware store or order online). I looked at the “paddle” attachment that it came with…I looked at the hay…I put the paddle attachment on the floor face up, put two small wooden blocks (or bricks would work great) next to it to keep it in place and provide a little space, put the hay directly on top, and put a big muck bucket upside down over top the whole thing (same muck bucket we were already using to soak his hay). It doesn’t steam evenly, the middle ends up a lot more steamed than the edges, but considering my level of effort (none), it works amazingly well. You could even use a cheap outlet timer to semi-automate it.

2 Likes
#10

DH built mine based on pictures from google. He made a similar deal when he was homebrewing with a cooler so he already had an idea. It works great but I haven’t tested how hot it actually gets so I have no idea if it’s killing mold spores. I do know my RAO horse is a different animal since I started using it in January. I’ve replaced the wallpaper steamer once since then. So all in it’s cost about $150 (that’s with 2 wallpaper steamers). I would love a commercial model that’s insulated and probably more efficient, but right now they are cost prohibitive.

#11

Well, ended up purchasing a Haygain, yes , expensive, but so are the meds if he continues on the road he was with the unsteamed hay and his eventing career would come to a screeching halt. SO, we have taken the winter and he is sooo much better. Was scared to try and make our own homemade incase time was of the essence.

#12

Timberland- I’d be interested to hear how the Haygain holds up and if the negative reports on it are that big of a deal. My homemade has held up ok, been using it since Jan 2017, every day even our weeks of below zero weather every winter. I’ve replaced wallpaper steamers maybe 6 times. Still much cheaper than a Haygain but I will be using it for the lifetime of my now 13 year old FEI horse, so it may be worth the investment of a commercial one if they are superior. I just don’t know anyone that has one who can provide feedback.

#13

everyone have great disscussion.
keep it up.!
please have a look on collection of best steamer.

http://bestechrater.com/best-handheld-steamer/

#14

I have the Happy Horse. It’s been good. I have very large square bales apparently and Andrew was fantastic about coming and making it work for my situation. A few tweaks and I’ve got my large bales steaming well.

#15

nice discussion to all peoples.
i want to use a good steamer at home
any person tell me about this???

#16

I have the Hay Gain One. It works really well. We had an issue with a part, but sent the unit back to the company and they repaired and returned it promptly. I have been very happy with their customer service. You do have to read ALL the directions carefully though. We really try to follow all the cleaning/usage rules. Bonus is my horse LOVES her steamed hay.

#17

thanks alot to all of you I have get a steamer after reading this blog
http://bestechrater.com/best-handheld-steamer/

#18

Anyone ever see them used?

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