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Unfrozen Water: Automatic Waterers with Heaters

Credit: Courtesy Nelson Automatic waterers in fields and stalls are a blessing in all types of weather, but when the temperatures drop, you’ll be happy for every bucket of water you don’t have to carry because you have a heated automatic waterer.

One of the marvels of modern plumbing is the ability to purchase self-maintaining water devices, as for example, the automatic livestock waterer. This device serves water on demand to your horse without you having to struggle with hoses, haul water or have the time-consuming job of cleaning large water tanks. These units come equipped with an optional heating element that eliminates the winter frustration of keeping water unfrozen.

These units tend to have rounded sides without sharp edges, so they are safe for horses to use. Their galvanized bowls are easy to clean, and the units are insulated to ensure cost savings on electricity.

But automatic waterers are not completely “automatic” without some effort on your part–it is important to check your waterer daily to make sure it is functioning properly. It would not be smart to just assume it is okay; a horse that goes too long without access to water can experience significant health issues, particularly to the digestive tract.

For those owners and managers who want to know not only if the horse is drinking, but how much, consider adding a water intake monitor so you can check how much each horse is drinking each day while they are in their stalls or in individual paddocks.

Occasionally on automatic waterers, a valve jams and water keeps spilling out, flooding the surrounding area. No matter whether the waterer is in a stall or pasture, it is best to install it a sufficient distance away from where the horses are fed in order to minimize debris and contamination that could cause valves to stick.

Adding an optional heater to an automatic waterer is ideal for winter climates. But remember that just because these units are heated doesn’t mean the pipes feeding them won’t freeze. With this in mind, all precautions must be taken to keep the incoming pipes warm by using heat tape and insulation on exposed pipes when necessary, and plumbing in the lines below frost level. Also make some effort to block any drafts coming into the barn that could impact the pipes and/or cause the water heater to work harder and be less cost efficient.

Automatic waterers in fields and stalls are a blessing in all types of weather, but when the temperatures drop, you’ll be happy for every bucket of water you don’t have to carry because you have a heated automatic waterer.

There are many livestock waterers on the market that will work in horse operations. Look for the type that best suits your farm or stable, ask friends what they use and like, and compare what companies offer in your area. Remember, the waterer is only as good as the installation. Following are some brands of automatic waterers; inclusion in this list does not indicate endorsement, and exclusion from this does not indicate there are any problems with that company.

Ritchie, https://ritchiefount.com/, 800-747-0222

Nelson Manufacturing, https://www.nelsonmfg.com/, 888-844-6606

Miraco, http://www.miraco.com/MiraFount.aspx, 641-236-5822

Cobett, http://www.cobett.com/ , 888-699-4722

Bar~Bar~A, http://horsedrinker.com/ , 800-451-2230

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