I had a bar bar a waterer installed a few months ago and unfortunately one of my two horses is still very reluctant to drink out of it. I don’t think he likes pushing down the paddle or the sound it makes when water is dispensed.
He is a senior and is prone to impactions, so him not drinking enough as a major concern. I’ve had to leave a trough next to the waterer just for him.
I’m thinking of replacing it with a different auto waterer, but would love recommendations.
Ours have a float in the center, which turns the water in to refill when the float drops. The float is covered, so no interference by inquisitive horses. One bowl on either side of the covered float in the center, so the unit serves two adjoining paddocks. Has a heater in it too, for cold winters.
A horse does not have to push on a paddle to make the water refill.
Is freezing an issue at your farm locstion?
My property had Miraco’s installed when I bought it and I have a love hate relationship with them but mostly love. The horses really like them and that’s what matters. The interior mechanisms can be a little finicky but I just try to keep some spare parts on hand. My biggest issues with them were related to freezing in super cold temps. I have a heater for the upper part but didn’t heat tape underneath and they froze up. This year with better preparation hopefully I can avoid that.
Plus, you can set them up to provide water for two pastures…and they will still try to share over the fence 
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