Here's Why You Should Consider Automatic Horse Waterers
An automatic waterer is the best way to ensure your horse gets enough clean water
Why consider an automatic horse waterer? Because one of the biggest challenges in winter horse care is getting horses to drink enough water.
Water in buckets or metal horse troughs gets too cold or freezes over, and your horse won’t want to drink it or can’t get through the ice. As a result, your horse can get dangerously dehydrated.
According to research performed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, if you give horses a choice between warm and icy water, they will choose the icy water. BUT they will drink significantly LESS than they ought to. For this reason, the researchers recommend warming icy-cold water in winter to coax your horse to drink more.
Even in summer, horses can be picky about their water if the tank has accumulated too much algae or just doesn't seem clean enough.
Here are three options that we've used that worked great for watering horses:
Water in buckets or metal horse troughs gets too cold or freezes over, and your horse won’t want to drink it or can’t get through the ice. As a result, your horse can get dangerously dehydrated.
According to research performed at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, if you give horses a choice between warm and icy water, they will choose the icy water. BUT they will drink significantly LESS than they ought to. For this reason, the researchers recommend warming icy-cold water in winter to coax your horse to drink more.
Even in summer, horses can be picky about their water if the tank has accumulated too much algae or just doesn't seem clean enough.
Here are three options that we've used that worked great for watering horses:
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1. Automatic horse waterers
These are the more expensive option, but they are the most efficient in terms of water delivery and power demands. These waterers are reliable, keeping water at temperatures that will tempt your horse to drink. They use less water because their capacity is only a gallon or so, and they refill automatically as the horse drinks. The are also easy to clean and maintain. I also recommend buying a water meter to attach to the waterer so that you can keep track of how much your horse is drinking. A popular brand can be found here. |
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2. Horse water trough heaters
These are cheaper to buy, but can be more expensive to run. They are specially designed electric heaters that you put in a regular water trough. Have you've ever used a small heating coil to heat a cup of water for tea? Well, it's like that only huge. This is the one that is favored by most stable and ranch owners. |
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3. Heated water bucket
A third option is a heated water bucket. The 5 gallon ones look like regular horse buckets but they are fitted with an insulated electric coil in the base that heats the water. |
If you're in the market for very top of the line heated, automatic waterers for indoor and outdoor use, I'd recommend either Ritchie automatic waterers or Nelson automatic waterers. Just click on those links and you will be directed to their sites. We had Nelson waterers in our 25-horse facility and, although they can be fussy at times, they worked well. We had them fitted with the Nelson water meters so that we could ensure the horses were drinking.
Happy Riding!
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
What to Feed A Horse
Six Vital Horse Facts That Every Horse Owner Absolutely Must Know
Common Horse Ailments and How to Treat Them
Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD June 18, 2018; Updated June 5, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
As long as you’re here, check these out!
Equestrian Products That Make Your Riding and Horse Care Easier and Better!
What to Feed A Horse
Six Vital Horse Facts That Every Horse Owner Absolutely Must Know
Common Horse Ailments and How to Treat Them
Copyright Denise Cummins, PhD June 18, 2018; Updated June 5, 2024
The Thinking Equestrian
