Soaking Hay Nets in Hot or Humid ClimatesUpdated 3 hours ago
If you soak hay before feeding, whether to manage sugar and starch content for a metabolic or insulin-resistant horse, or simply to reduce dust, hot and humid conditions can cause a hay net to develop an odour after use. This is caused by bacterial growth in the damp environment rather than any fault with the net itself, and it can be managed with a simple cleaning routine.
Why This Happens
Warm, humid air slows drying time. A net that stays damp for longer after soaking gives bacteria more opportunity to grow, which is what produces the smell. This is more likely to occur in tropical or subtropical climates, or during summer in humid regions, and is more noticeable with nets used specifically for soaked hay.
A Customer's Approach
We haven't frequently tested soaking hay nets in humid conditions ourselves, but one customer based in a hot, humid climate recently got in touch with us to share the cleaning method she uses to keep her net fresh between soaks:
- Soak the net in a muck bucket with dish detergent and a small amount of laundry sanitiser (a product designed to kill bacteria).
- Leave for a couple of hours.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Hang to dry completely before next use.
She noted this eliminated the odour entirely.
General Recommendations
- Rinse your net after every soak, even if you don't notice a smell yet.
- Hang the net somewhere with good airflow rather than in an enclosed space, so it dries fully between uses.
- In persistently humid conditions, having two nets in rotation allows one to dry completely while the other is in use.
- Avoid leaving a wet net bundled up or stored while still damp, as this is when odour and bacterial growth develop fastest.
- If odour becomes a recurring issue, an occasional deeper clean (as described above) can help reset the net.
A Note on Products Used
Detergent and sanitising products vary by brand and region. If you choose to try a similar method, check the product label for suitability on the net material and rinse thoroughly before feeding to ensure no residue remains.