I'm vegan and just attempted my first raw thing. I made oat groats and I was confused HOW to make them, I have looked everywhere and can't find anything.

I soaked them for about 12 hours and then the recipe I had said to dehydrate them. So I did. And now they are tough and made my stomach hurt when I tried to eat them as oatmeal.

Anywhere I have looked says to either sprout or soak, but I don't know the methods of doing it. A little help?