Best Automatic Waterer

[Samotis]

I am looking for a decent auto waterer. I live in AZ and want to put in auto waterers for my new barn.

So far what I have looke into, it seems the Miller (Little Giant) black epoxy stock waterer seems to be the best overall deal. It is around 30 each and they have parts available in case anything rots out.

I am on a budget, I don’t want to spend more then 20 to 50 on each one. I did look at the Nelson waterer and they are too pricey for me at this time.

Anyone have a good brand they like? I also need something that will be easy to repair as I don’t have a man around to do those useful things.

[Nezzy]

my BFF had the Nelson and it was awesome. I moved my horses but when i helped aout at the farm, it was a Godsend. I don’t know about any others.

[Nanerpus]

LOVE my Nelsons

[outfoxem]

Do the Nelson’s ever appear on the market used?

[Samotis]

As I said, I don’t have 200 plus to spend on 1 waterer.

[Katy_Watts]

Then perhaps you should change the title of the post to ‘cheapest automatic waterer’.

[Zu_Zu]

Hated My “Nelson” ~ Company could not even maintain it ~

I hated my Nelson :mad: ~ it only worked in perfect weather – extreme heat or extreme cold = when we needed it the most it always FAILED :mad: = IT WAS CONSISTENTLY BROKEN ~ that’s the only thing I can say about it :eek: ~

[Almost_Heaven]

$50??? YOU’RE SHITTING ME!!!

Sorry, but you’re gonna get what you’re paying for.

[Dazednconfused]

The ease of use and consistency of Nelsons will make it completely and totally worth every penny. Not sure what your barn setup is like, but you could even let two stalls share one waterer (we have this in our two stall barn).

Honestly, I used to work in a barn that had all Little Giants. I can’t tell you how many mornings I came into the barn hearing running water and then finding a horse ankle deep or worse in water and soaking wet shavings (with at least each stall on either side in a similar predicament).

After using Nelsons, I’m pretty sure I’d save up for months and use buckets until I could afford them. They’re that good.

[trail_blazer]

I completely understand the lack of funds - especially to purchase Nelson waterers all at once. Forever ago, we used some inexpensive pressure type stall waterers and they worked okay for a while. We now have 18 stalls and they all have Nelsons. I would do without a lot of things before would give them up. I figured up the time it would take to water 18 horses twice a day for a year and multiplied by the cost of labor to do so. When I divided that into the cost of the waterers, I had them paid off in less than 2 years. Hands down the best investment we made.

Perhaps you can use a less expensive one now but set them up where you can convert to the Nelsons later?

Good luck!

[baysngreys]

Nelson waterers.
We put them on opposite sides of the same wall, so 2 stalls shared the same water and electric line. Saved on installation and parts.

We did the same thing for 2 adjoining pastures. Put one in the fenceline.

Easy to clean, never a repair.

[walktrot]

My b/o put in 7 Nelsons several years ago and they have been terrific. No problems at all, including Maine winters. About 1/2 the 40 or so horses on the farm are pasture boarded year-round so they get plenty of use. It’s kind of cool to stick your hand in one when it’s 10 degrees outside. Nice warm water. They have paid for themselves simply by eliminating frozen tubs, heaters, and hoses.

[Samotis]

So for $500 I get one waterer from Nelson.

I don’t have extreme cold and I plan to have a auto shut off valve at each waterer.

So while I understand the Nelson is great, the price difference is huge!!!

What is so bad about the little giant waterers? I have them at the barn I am at now and haven’t seen any issues.

It seems pretty simple to repair right?

I was wondering because it doesn’t seem like there is an in between waterer. The little giant is the best of the “cheap” waterers and the Nelson are just expensive.

I could understand if I needed it for the weather, but I don’t, so would it really be worth it to buy them.

For 6 horses splitting the waters (1 for 2 horses) it would be $1500 not including installing. For the little giant ones I would pay $180 for 6 waterers.

Is it really worth it?

Anyone in Arizona have other waterers besides Nelson?

I haven’t counted them out, I am just not seeing the big advantage yet.

[MistyBlue]

I also have the Nelsons…but I definitely understand the budget issue too. :yes:
There is an enormous price difference with Nelsons.
If you do eventually decide to go with Nelsons any time down the road, at least I can say they are worth the money. But also you need to figure in the cost if installation, if installed improperly they won’t work right.

Have you looked at Ritchie waterers? Those are also a popular brand and in AZ you’re not going to need the heated version. I’m not sure what those cost though.

I’ve seen a few different types/brands that are in the $100-$200 range per unit (Nelsons will cost about $500 each, slight discount for 4 or more). Even though you don’t have cold winters needing heated waterers, I’d still look into a little better made variety because being out of water due to malfunction in that kind of heat in summer is pretty dangerous.

Is there a way to set up water for the stalls that lasts longer without using waterers? Sometimes modifying the stalls a bit so you can put in bigger troughs instead of buckets is a good option too. Easier to maintain than a waterer if you’re not comfortable with small repairs. And a lot less cost.

I’m sure someone on here has some recommendations for a less expensive waterer. I hope they reply, it is tough when you only get suggestions for something completely out of your price range.

Anyone know what the Ritchies cost?

[Dazednconfused]

I’m in a place where it never ever freezes so for me, it’s not about the weather resistant capabilities. Maybe you’ll have better luck with the Little Giants than I did, though.

[deltawave]

Sure you’re not missing a “zero”? Under $100 for an automatic waterer? Really? You’re not expecting much, I hope.

I’m very fond of my Varnan. It’s around $700, but you may not need the ultra-heavy-duty insulation and heating in Arizona. They do have humbler models for moderate climates at a lower price.

You do get what you pay for. It’s a large initial investment, but the value of not hauling hoses and buckets, ever? PRICELESS. :yes:

[Samotis]

I am fine with using buckets out in the pastures. I am only looking at automatics for the stalls.

I am fine with repairs. I am also fine with having to replace a cheaper waterer every couple of years.

I could spend over $100 if I thought it would be worth it, but looking at whats out there, it seems they are within $20 to $50 or $400 plus.

There is a huge price gap there.

I am just shocked there is no mid price waterer out there.

[deltawave]

I am fine with repairs. I am also fine with having to replace a cheaper waterer every couple of years.

This simply defines the saying “penny wise and pound foolish”, IMO, but at least you’ll be supporting the economy.

[Samotis]

I think spending $700 on 1 waterer is foolish, but we obviously have different opinions.

I can honestly tell you that every show barn I have been at since I was 12 has automatic waterers that are similiar to the little giants. Not Nelsons, not Varnans. They have done just fine.

Could people please just post if they know of any waterers that are in a mid-price range?
Or any more experiences with the little giant type waterers? Maybe what issues you do run into with them so I can be prepared since apparently there isn’t a mid priced auto waterer out there.

[Miss_Motivation]

THis:
http://www.endurequest.com/waterers.php

We have 50 horses in CA. The Little Giant floats are OK- but the galvanized will rust out and there are often adjustment problems/spraying with the mechanism. The black epoxy will last longer but they do get drippy like the silver ones. We always have a high shutoff to every waterer. All waterers fail if you get sand or glue in the line from repairs.

We have some push paddle waterers, which I don’t really like as I would prefer the horses have a bigger bowl of water to drink out of. They have always figured out how to push the paddle, but… they still leak and squirt sometimes.

So, enter EndureQuest. Retail at $113 is a reasonable price. The works are all enclosed but easy to get to and very easy to clean. The hose is not exposed so the water stays cooler, can be an issue if they are outside and the sun strikes them.

I was worried about how sturdy they are, but so far no one has hurt them at all, no one has sat on them and ripped them off the wall or figured out how to flood a stall. Our help loves them- a quick wipe of the light-colored bowl and they are good.

Any one else have experience with Endure Quest waterers? I am gradually replacing our Little Giants as they die with these, but oldest are only about 18 mos. so not sure how they will be in the long long run. I read somewhere that the Endure Quest heater (optional) was quite good too, but of course we don’t need those. Maybe this question needs a thread!

One thing you can’t mess around with is horse water- I’d find what works for your water, location, and horses and then consider it a priority to buy the best that works for your conditions.