Struggle to keep dry in a load of hay? (6)
I believe the answer is:
battle
'struggle' is the definition.
(a struggle or ordeal might be called a battle)
'dry in a load of hay?' is the wordplay.
'dry' becomes 'tt' (abbreviation for teetotal).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'a load of hay?' becomes 'bale' (a bale is a large amount of hay).
'tt' inserted within 'bale' is 'BATTLE'.
'to keep' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
(Other definitions for battle that I've seen before include "- - of 5 down" , "Encounter" , "Conflict, fight" , "Lengthy struggle" , "Armed conflict" .)