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A great article by FS Animal Health
"A generally silly question, but unfortunately it's something we see more often. Can moldy hay be steamed?"
There are no silly questions, and unfortunately, this is indeed a reality many horses face.
Here's how we've answered this question:
You can think of it like moldy bread. Would you want to eat moldy bread just because you toasted it? No, definitely not. It's the same with hay. If you find mold, the entire bale belongs in the compost heap, just like you would with bread. You wouldn't just discard the moldy slice; you'd toss out the whole loaf. Moldy hay should not be fed, whether it's steamed or not.
But isn't steaming supposed to "deactivate mold spores"? What does that mean exactly?
Mold spores are microscopic, single-celled reproductive units of mold fungi. They're present everywhere in the air and can rapidly multiply under favorable conditions, leading to mold. Steaming at temperatures of 80 to 100°C destroys a large portion of these mold spores, preventing mold from developing.
Why are mold spores in hay problematic?
- Health risks for horses: Mold spores can cause respiratory illnesses like coughing, chronic bronchitis, or Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO, formerly known as COPD).
- Decline in feed quality: Mold fungi break down hay and lead to nutrient loss.
- Toxins: Some molds produce harmful substances (mycotoxins) that can be detrimental to horses.
How can mold in hay be avoided?
- Store hay dry (below 15% moisture content).
- Ensure good air circulation.
- Avoid storing hay on damp ground or in poorly ventilated areas.
- If mold is suspected, do not feed the hay!
Steaming improves good quality hay by binding dust, almost completely deactivating existing bacteria and mold spores, and therefore often leading to rapid health improvements for horses with respiratory conditions and allergies.
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