Dry Hay and Straw Steaming for Horses

Process requirement: what does “horse hay heating” mean?

This request is generally referred to in international sources as “equine hay steaming” or “horse hay steamer”. Here, hay usually means the dry forage eaten by horses; it is not the same product as straw used for bedding. The aim is not merely to wet the dry hay, but to establish a controlled and repeatable thermal process in a closed chamber using steam that penetrates the load.

How does the solution work?

The steam generator supplies the distribution manifold of a closed chamber with limited heat loss. Ensuring that steam reaches not only the outside but also different regions of a bale or loose dry hay is addressed together with air evacuation, condensate drainage, and temperature verification at multiple points. The generator, chamber, manifold, and control system are engineered as a single process.

• Bale type, dimensions, weight, and total dry hay per batch
• Chamber insulation, steam distribution, air evacuation, and condensate drainage
• Temperature recording at the centre and representative points throughout the cycle

Information determining the correct capacity

The required number of kW or kg/h of steam cannot be determined by chamber volume alone. The dry hay mass in one cycle, bale compactness, initial temperature, target validated protocol, permitted cycle time, number of daily batches, chamber losses, line length, and electrical infrastructure must be evaluated together. The final selection should be verified by a temperature distribution test in the loaded chamber.

Scientific evidence, limitations of use, and Stilsan’s scope

Peer-reviewed studies and university publications show that, under suitable high-temperature steaming conditions, respirable particulate matter and viable microorganism loads may be reduced; the result depends on the initial quality of the dry hay and the protocol applied. Steaming does not automatically make spoiled feed safe, does not replace the selection of quality, low-dust feed, and is not veterinary treatment. Stilsan evaluates the steam source, line distribution, and control requirements according to the project; feed suitability and feeding decisions must be made by a veterinarian and an equine nutrition specialist.