# Dry Hay and Straw Steaming for Horses Source: [https://www.stilsan.com/en/solutions/atlar-icin-saman-buharlama-buhar-jeneratoru](https://www.stilsan.com/en/solutions/atlar-icin-saman-buharlama-buhar-jeneratoru) Controlled hay steaming solutions that uniformly treat horse feed hay with high-temperature steam to reduce respirable dust and viable microorganism load. ## What does steaming do for hay processing? The technical equivalent of the request for “horse straw heating” is equine hay steaming or horse hay steaming. High-temperature steam reaching the center of the dry hay in a closed chamber suppresses respirable dust, reduces the viable mold and bacterial load, and moistens the dry hay in a controlled manner. Here, hay refers to the dry forage eaten by the horse; it is not the same product as straw used for bedding. ## How does the Stilsan hay steaming solution work? The Stilsan steam generator supplies the required steam to the distribution manifold of the closed and insulated chamber. The manifold conveys steam to different areas of the bale or loose dry hay; air venting and condensate drainage balance the flow. If the standard model is sufficient, a suitable generator is selected; if greater or different capacity is required, a custom capacity assessment is carried out. When the generator, chamber, manifold, and controls are installed compatibly, a repeatable steaming cycle is achieved. - Bale type, dimensions, weight, and total dry hay per batch - Chamber insulation, steam distribution, air venting, and condensate drainage - Temperature recording at the center and representative points throughout the cycle ## How do we determine the capacity accurately? The appropriate generator is selected according to the dry hay mass per cycle, bale dimensions and density, starting temperature, target cycle time, number of batches per day, chamber insulation, line distance, and electrical infrastructure. When the customer provides this information, Stilsan assesses the required steam flow rate and clarifies whether a standard or custom-built option is appropriate. Chamber leakage, insulation, and the actual load are part of the process; they are recorded during quotation and commissioning and are not confused with generator capacity. ## How do we ensure the process outcome? The system is validated not by assumption but through a commissioning cycle conducted with a loaded chamber. Temperatures at the bale center and representative points are recorded; if any area does not reach the target, steam distribution, loading, or cycle settings are adjusted. This makes it possible to assess separately the steam supplied by the generator and the process performance of the chamber. If a specific microbial reduction rate is required, it is documented separately through before-and-after sample analysis by a competent laboratory. Steaming does not replace the selection of high-quality, low-dust feed and must not be used to salvage spoiled feed or as veterinary treatment. ## Frequently asked questions **What is horse hay steaming used for?** Uniform high-temperature steaming suppresses respirable dust released from dry hay into the air and reduces the viable mold and bacterial load. For an effective result, it is verified by measuring the temperature reached at the center of the bale. **Does steaming make moldy or spoiled dry hay safe?** No. A reduction in microbial count does not prove that feed that was initially spoiled or unsuitable is safe. The primary objective is to use quality dry hay with low mold and dust levels. **Is soaking straw in water the same as using a hay steamer?** No. Soaking or immersing hay in water and applying high-temperature steam in a closed chamber are different processes; their microbial behavior, nutrient losses, water requirements, and labor implications may also differ. **When should steamed dry hay be fed?** Because steaming increases moisture, the dry hay should be fed without delay after it has cooled. Storing wet feed may create a risk of microbial regrowth and quality loss; any remaining feed should be managed according to the operation’s veterinary and hygiene plan. **What information is required for a quotation?** Stilsan determines the suitable generator and distribution approach based on the hay type, bale dimensions and weight, quantity and mass per batch, daily cycles, existing or planned chamber, target time, electricity, water, and installation details. ## Technical sources 1. University of Minnesota Extension. [Steaming horse hay to reduce the effects of mold and dust](https://extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/steaming-horse-hay-reduce-effects-mold-and-dust) 2. Animals (Basel). [Environmental Management of Equine Asthma](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10854533/) 3. BMC Veterinary Research. [The influence of hay steaming on clinical signs and airway immune response in severe asthmatic horses](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30442129/) ## Related products - [Steam Machine (Custom Size)](https://www.stilsan.com/en/products/buhar-makinesi-ozel-boyut): STL-002 - [ST-1 Steam Generator](https://www.stilsan.com/en/products/st-1-buhar-jeneratoru): ST-1 - [ST-2 Steam Generator](https://www.stilsan.com/en/products/st-2-buhar-jeneratoru): ST-2 ## Related technical guide [What Is Equine Hay Steaming (Hay Heating), and How Is the System Selected?](https://www.stilsan.com/en/blog/at-samani-buharlama-hay-steaming-rehberi)