Which one holds up to watering and bathing the best? Or do we need different nozzles for each job?
I have two nozzles.
One lets a high PSI stream come out to fill the water tubs and buckets.
The other one is just a standard adjustable head nozzle that I put on “shower” to bath the horses and the dogs <<—I have big dogs, lol
This one. It holds up well and I loved it so much, I bought a second. Have had the first for five years.
I have one. I have tried everything. The one that I like is plastic- it comes in brass, too, but those do NOT hold up- and is great for filling buckets, and baths. The run about $2 at Walmart. Black plastic (they come in other colors) with a toggle type switch on the side. They hold up, and when they break, you do not care.
[QUOTE=Kathy Nebel;8654085]
This one. It holds up well and I loved it so much, I bought a second. Have had the first for five years.
I just got one of these for our wash rack and I love it, compared to the regular type that wear out, get stepped on, etc. I think it will hold up well. It certainly gives a really strong stream for washing slime off of the legs. It’s still mud season here in Maine.
I use a Brass Hose Lever Handle. It allows for a full stream to fill buckets, but is also adjustable for bathing. Plus it’s nearly indestructible.
I have one similar to this one for my wash stall. I got it at Lowe’s, but I don’t see the exact version on the website now. But anyway, I like it because the top lever turns it on/off and the stream is adjusted separately.
I have a basic brass shut-off for filling water buckets and such. It isn’t fancy, but has lasted for years.
I feel your pain. The vast majority of what’s out there is overpriced, overly colorful junk.
For bathing we have one of those kits with an overhead arm that keeps the hose hanging over the horse. It comes with a bathing nozzle and since it’s not left to slam on the floor and only used for bathing, it’s holding up fine.
We use those brass quick release for changing hose connections. These seem to work well and are leak-proof enough to use through winter.
For everything else we use those hose shutoff ball valves. We have a variety of them and the ones I prefer are by Dramm. The handles are a bit long but they’re made to last.
Gilmour makes some products that hold up longer than most. I would generally avoid the home depot places and shop more at landscaping / gardening supply specialists.
Thanks everyone.
For those who use the Bon Aire nozzle, many reviews say it won’t make a fine mist. Is that true? Can you wash a horse’s face with this nozzle?
DHCarrotFeeder, I too love the Dramm and Gilmour products. Have you tried the Gilmore thumb control nozzle? I have weak hands and squeezing a nozzle makes my fingers {cramp}.
I’ve tried many of the nicer ones out there, and I still come back to the good old metal trigger kind.
I have this one for bathing. It is my most favorite every day horse possession. Makes bathing with soap so, so easy and is easy to turn on and off. I just spray the soap on and rub it in with a hand mitt. I also use it for vinegar rinses.
I have not.
I have this one http://www.homedepot.com/p/NELSON-Metal-Pistol-Nozzle-573TFRHD/202530591
so far it holds really well and does its job
I “Splurged” last year & bought a metal (zinc?) one with adjustable spray - from mist to fullforce stream.
IIRC, it was around $10 at TSC, but I’ve seen the same at Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
Like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Melnor-Metal-Front-Trigger-8-Pattern-Nozzle-160-442/203062312
Also has a “Flat” setting that fans out & is great for hosing mud off hooves & legs.
Turns on with one lever on the handle & another smaller lever clicks to lock it open so I don’t need to keep applying pressure.
Great for filling buckets, trough… as long as I remember I left it locked On 
