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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/horse-soak-hay-minutes

Soaking hay for 15 to 60 minutes lowers what in the hay?

Sugars (water soluble carbohydrates), potassium and dust.

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  1. Protein and fat
  2. Sugars, potassium and dust ✔
  3. Calcium and salt

Why: Soaking washes out sugars and some minerals, which helps horses that must watch their sugar intake. It also settles dust. Soaking much longer than an hour is not recommended.

Huh, didn't know that: In the UMN study, hay was soaked anywhere from 15 minutes to 12 hours in cold and in warm water.

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References

Answer: Sugars, potassium and dust. Soaking washes out sugars and some minerals, which helps horses that must watch their sugar intake. It also settles dust. Soaking much longer than an hour is not recommended.

  1. Soaking your horse's hay, UMN Extension extension.umn.edu/node/12886
    Soaking hay for 15 to 60 minutes in water reduces water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), potassium (K) and dust.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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