Comfort Stall
a lot in Europe and she was just not her best. Something was up. Her appetite was
not great and her coat was dull.”
Ashley’s friend went beyond the recommendation by arranging to get her a
steamer. “It’s been a game changer,” Ashley asserts. “Havanna loves her hay, she’s
eating well and she’s not having the allergic skin symptoms. She is shiny, well-
muscled.”
“ It smells so good I want to eat it myself,” she laughs. “And the rest of the
horses in the barn scream for it when we start steaming. It’s a fabulous machine that I
can’t say enough good things about.”
Current USEF chef d’equipe Debbie McDonald was the first major American
dressage player to embrace steamed hay. She credited it as instrumental in bringing
her Olympic and World Cup Finals partner Brentina back from colic surgery. Up-
coming dressage star Sara Hassler and her renowned coach and father, Scott
Hassler, are more longtime steaming fans among dressage luminaries.
The gold standard in dressage training, coaching and show ring suc-
cess, the Hasslers’ program is equally well-known for its emphasis on horse
care and management. Steamed hay has been such a big part of maintaining their
horses’ well-being, and for so long, that Sara is surprised when she encounters horse owners not yet
aware of its benefits. “Maybe I’m a little biased,” she acknowledges. “But it shocks me when people spend
so much money on their horses, but don’t know about hay steaming.”
Sara welcomes inquiries about how Haygain helps all horses in the Hassler Dressage program, and
about how the steamers fit seamlessly into a busy barn management routine. She and Scott will be on site
throughout the Adequan Global Dressage Festival in January and February in Wellington, Florida. “We
are really well-known for our horse care and nutrition practices,” Sara notes. “People ask us questions
all the time. When they see the Haygain steamers in our barn aisle, we are very happy to share the many
benefits we’ve seen in our horses.”
Haygain high temperature hay steaming was developed in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural
College in Cirencester, England. The popularity of Haygain steamers has grown exponentially in North
America in the last few years, along with similarly spreading acceptance across horse sports throughout
the world. In keeping with its mission of promoting equine health, well-being and performance through science
backed methods and equipment, Haygain acquired ComfortStall Orthopedic Sealed Flooring in 2016.
This three-layer flooring includes a top cover sealed to the stall wall to prevent urine seepage and
accumulation that occur with traditional stall mats. (see above photo) Bedding is not needed for cushion,
significantly reducing labor and shavings costs. A middle layer of proprietary orthopedic foam provides
cushion and support for joint health and recovery and promotes deep sleep that is as beneficial for horses
as it is for people. Plus, no more hock sores and 24/7 proprioception benefits that are critical to healing
– whether from a daily workout or a surgery or injury.
As an Official Partner of US Equestrian and Official Supporter of Equine Respiratory Health, Haygain is
fulfilling its mission on many fronts, with elite equine athletes and all horses whose well-being is important
to their owners.
EE
www.EliteEquestrianMagazine.com 53
Sara Hassler
McLain Ward
& Clinta
© MacMillan Photography
Haygain & ComfortStall
For more informaon on Haygain, visit www.haygain.us.
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