Soaked Hay & Farrier Smoke by F.W. Rider

If a horse owner was to add 35% more forage to account for amino acid losses, then the horse’s ration would be too rich in energy, contributing to weight gain, if the horse could even eat that much” explained Crandell. Additional forage would not, however, compensate for the 35% amino acid loss. “To compensate for energy losses, owners should offer up to 15% more calories in the ration, as long as weight loss is not one of the desired effects. Nutrient and energy losses were appreciable after 15 minutes of soaking, and longer soaking durations did not enhance the washout effect.Crude protein and amino acids decreased by up to 17% and 35%, respectively and.

Metabolizable energy decreased by 5-15%, indicating the forage will not provide as much energy as expected, potentially resulting in weight loss.

As expected, soaking hay decreased WSC and other important nutrients, such as water-soluble minerals.

* The researchers soaked hay for variable periods of time, ranging from 15 minutes to 12 hours, followed by a 20-minute draining period. One recent study found that, in addition to trace minerals, crude protein and amino acid levels also diminish rapidly after just 15 minutes of soaking. In addition to WSC, other nutrients, such as these essential minerals: phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, and iron, are leached from the hay when it is soaked. “Previous studies show that soaking hay removes water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), which is desirable for horses with metabolic syndrome or overweight horses on calorie-restricted diets,” said Kathleen Crandell, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Kentucky Equine Research. Done improperly, soaking can result in complete nutrient washout, leaving horses at risk for excessive weight loss and nutrient deficiencies, including insufficient crude protein and amino acids. Like many horse-keeping chores, soaking hay requires equal measures of finesse and know-how.

Soaking your horse’s hay should be as easy as washing your hair, right? Lather, rinse, repeat.

Soaked Hay & Farrier Smoke by F.W. Rider