About Us
HELPING YOU HELP YOUR HORSE
WHO WE ARE
Haygain is part of FS Animal Health. A company dedicated to the health and well-being of horses.
Haygain is known for our patented, science-backed products such as the Haygain Hay Steamer, the Forager slow feeder and the ComfortStall padded flooring system; all designed to help owners deal with the issues that come with domestication of horses.
SOLVING ISSUES
In a domestic environment horses spend only about 10% of their time feeding, when high-energy concentrate meals are served.
This feeding schedule, with long periods of food deprivation, does not suit them and often leads to health problems including colic, obesity, gastric ulceration as well as a host of undesirable stereotypical behaviours such as “weaving” and crib-biting.
Domestic horses also suffer from respiratory diseases caused by the fungi, dust, and mould in their forage and urine-soaked floors, as well as poor musculoskeletal health because of an unnatural feeding position.
THE BEGINNING
OUR STORY
A group of horse owners in the UK were concerned about their horses' coughs. They suspected that the airborne respirable particles naturally found in forage were the problem. Soaking hay, the centuries-old method of removing these particles, obviously wasn’t effective.
High temperature steaming, on the other hand, appeared to be an excellent option to be looked into.
Working with researchers at the University of Bristol and the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), the group succeeded in producing a few prototype hay steamers.
THE PROBLEM
RESPIRATORY INFLAMMATION
Horses are highly sensitive to respirable dust in hay, especially to mould, fungal spores and bacteria. Prolonged exposure to these particles can cause serious respiratory disease in the horse including equine asthma, Inflammatory Airway Disease (IAD), Recurrent Airway Obstruction (RAO), plus broken wind and heaves.
Common symptoms include a persistent cough, nasal discharge at rest or after exercise, and an increased respiratory rate. In addition, owners observe that their horses recover more slowly after exercise and generally perform less well in competition. This condition is extremely common: one recent study showed that up to 88% of the horses examined suffered from IAD.
THE SOLUTION
RESEARCH
We are passionate about finding new ways to improve the health and well being of horses. To this end we continue to research equine respiratory, gut and musculoskeletal issues and conditions with an international network of leading scientists and veterinarians.
As we strive to improve equine health and well being, our growing portfolio of scientifically backed, proprietary products will continue to address the issues of domestication, including respiratory, musculoskeletal, and gut health. Haygain offers clean, effective solutions.