January 11, 2021
Gifts That Keep On Giving
An Early Christmas gift brings Georgia veterinarian’s advice full-circle, while ComfortStall flooring keeps giving comfort to her equine patients.
By Kim Miller | Equestrian Writer

Photo courtesy of Georgia Equine Vets
Ease of use is a bonus for the busy couple. “We have the Haygain on a timer: set it in the morning and the hay is ready when we get back to our personal barn in the afternoon,” Dr. Molony explains. She and Tim enjoy foxhunting when time allows, and Haygain’s efficiency and ease of use helps them eek out a little more time to enjoy their horses from the saddle.
Insulin Resistance Applications
Dr. Molony estimates that 60% of the horses she cares for in her practice have insulin resistance issues. Reducing the sugar/carbohydrate content in forage is key to managing horses with these conditions. Several of her clients use Haygain Steamers for their IR horses. Although nutrient retention is a benefit of High Temperature Hay Steaming, the process does slightly reduce sugars.
One client owns Fjords, a breed that is especially susceptible to IR issues. The client has 7 or 8 confirmed insulin resistant horses, and two with PPID, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, aka “Cushings Disease.” They tried using muzzles to limit forage consumption and various diet changes, Dr. Molony relays. “After they got a Hay Steamer, the weight on those horses was so good I had to ask them, ‘What have you done differently?’ And the only thing they were doing differently was steaming their hay.”
In the past, soaking hay was a common way to reduce sugars, but it’s a messy hassle with many downsides for the horse’s health. Even a 10-minute soak has been proven to increase bacteria content by 150 percent, for example. Scientific and anecdotal evidence also establishes that most horses find Haygain Steamed Hay more appealing than soaked or dry hay.
“The steamer just makes life so much easier,” Dr. Molony explains.
“ComfortStall” Name Says It All
Gifts That Keep On Giving
Well before receiving last summer’s Hay Steamer gift, Dr. Molony held her clients in highest regard. “They are very well educated and up on current things,” she notes. “It’s a great group of people who want to be up to speed and to do what’s in the best interest of their horses.” Their keen interest in their horses’ respiratory health is part of that bigger picture, she notes, especially since COVID made the entire world more diligent about preventing respiratory risks for people.
As gifts go, Haygain ranks highly on the Molonys’ wish list for all horse owners. The Hay Steamer and ComfortStall have helped their horses in many ways while simplifying the barn management routine for their staff. “We sing Haygain’s praises from the highest mountain!” Dr. Molony concludes.
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