Ugh, been there, done THAT. We have FIVE taps we use daily:
Stallion Barn: impossible to leave on, as it’s only small buckets in the stalls and one in the paddock. Drag the hose into the barn from the tap out in the paddock, water, drag it back out.
Mare field: Typically impossible to leave on, as it’s the only thing needing daily attention. Stand there while it fills.
Broodmare barn: yeah, this one is bad. Four in-stall buckets, three tanks outside in runs/paddock. Typically what happens is I fill the tank in broodie field while I pick the two stalls. Put feeds in and let the girls in. Fill their buckets. Start filling the big tank in the middle field and small one in my boys paddock. I go to the gelding barn to feed them, leaving the tanks filling. (This barn is only 50 ft of so away from the broodie barn). Water the boys. Now, normally I’m good and wander back to turn off the water. BUT- if my routine is messed with, I forget and wander to the back barns, leaving the water on. I did this last week. Fortunately remembered when I was in the back and turned it off BEFORE I went home for the night!
Back barns: two barns/five paddocks/pastures, three to five buckets/tanks, depending on which fields are being used. I’ve left the water on here, too. But I’ve figured a way to remember- I turn off the water and disconnect. (All of our taps have quick connectors on them, after watching our stallion grab the hose and run off- breaking the pipe and having a geyser in the field. Ooops.) After disconnecting, I wash the sweat off my arms and face. Makes me feel better and I KNOW the water is off!
And yes, I have been on autopilot, gone home, got ready for bed and then thought- did I turn the water off? So I get back up, got in my truck, drive back down to the barns, trudge across the field to check.
Yup. Of course I did. The doggies LOVE these night excursions, though!
