Hay soaker

[Kenzie]

Can anyone recommend a reasonably-priced, not too bulky hay soaker? It would save me hours of time, not to mention wet feet, if there was something on the market which made this chore more convenient.

I have searched the web and come up with numerous wheelbarrow-with-plug type contraptions at vast expense, and no doubt frightening delivery costs to go with them. But I recall a few years ago seeing in a horsy mag a large, probably polythene bag which you could fill with water, presumably while sat in a wheelbarrow, and then easily empty when your hay was done. Best of all, you could fold it away afterwards, as I can't leave a large piece of equipment lying around the yard. I haven't been able to find anything of this sort. The nearest thing was a solid haynet (haybag?) for taking to shows, with a small hole for eating to reduce mess.

If anyone could suggest anything I would be grateful!

K

[Jakes Mum]

I've got this one, it is very good but wasn't cheap :)

http://www.jumpkin.demon.co.uk/soaknroll.htm

[claire hodgson]

do you feed direct from it, as it suggests? and if so is the horse ok with it?

I was thinking the other day something that fulfills both roles (scuse the pun, in the circs!) and is easily moveable would be ideal .... as it would also save the hay all over the bed problem without investing also in a 'haybar' given that i'm feediing from the floor as well...

[Jakes Mum]

No, I have never fed direct from it, I have a hay bar and put the soaked hay straight into that :)

[horseygal90]

I can't remember exactly, but I *think* a really cheap way to do it is to cut two holes in the top of your barrel, and shove a broom handle through it. Dunno if it'll work though! (You might need two?)

[Kenzie]

I spotted the rolling barrel option in my web searches, and this is one of the cheaper options at £86 (incl. delivery). My other option was to buy a trolley for £49 from Shires to transport my large tub of water to the drain for emptying (drain and tap some 10 metres apart, hose pipe banned). At the moment, I am emptying the tub using 10 trips with a bucket, so not ideal. Then I have to drain the hay over another tub. I think the rolling barrel is looking more and more attractive...

Thanks for your suggestions!

K

[mr Rosco]

Hello,

I have to soak hay as my horse has an allergy to dust, I just fill the hay net, Fill up an old dustbin (clean one!) with water, push the haynet into it to soak for however long you want, then when I want it to drain I just pull the haynet out and let it rest on the top of the bin. you can then feed directly from the haynet or empty the hay onto the floor which i do. Easy, effective and cheap! They charge a fortune for hay soakers when really you don't need anything too fancy!:)

[Mareish]

Depending on whether you need to soak a bale at a time - an old bath tub does a good job :)

[matthew]

i know this sounds realy daft but what is a hay soker

[Jenni]

you can buy a big wheelie bin!!! £20

The when you want to empty the water just tip it up!
Also means you can steam your hay as it has a lid! You can getthem from Costco and Argos i think.

[Tami + Floss]

If it was in haynets then I would suggest something like a bath. We used to use them to soak the haylage when it was too dry. Don't know about any other contraptions or anything though.

Although where I used to work they got some big barrels, took the top of them, stook haynets in, filled it with water and before they used it they just emptied the water via a tap at the bottom. They just bought some barrels then attatched a tap on the bottom, simple, effective and cheap!!

[Portia]

we just have a massive old fashioned bath tub, free from an old farmhouse nearby.

as far as i'm concerned, it's not the soaking that's the problem - it's lifting the blessed stuf out of the tub to drain! plus, as i feed on the floor. i have seen - somewhere - a big container with pulley system attached. can i find it :rolleyes: ?