Heated water trough

[anicolle]

We normally water our horses out of a year round creek but we got hit with a massive snow storm/bad drifting.

We have a plain old galvanized water trough with one of those float heaters but I refuse to use it. I’m super paranoid about my one horse electrocuting himself as he’s been known to play with ice chunks in the trough and I can only imagine him doing something dumb.

I lived in a state which never got snow/ice til I moved my horses etc so I’m new to this.

After enough arguing with DH we are finally going to put something else in. I was looking at those brown insulated heated troughs but he said the cobets are the way to go.

Any other suggestions and words of encouragement are appreciated.

[js]

We used a submerged trough heater, it works in one brand of rubber troughs, both bought at Tractor Supply. I just filled the trough high enough that I don’t worry about the horses mouths ever touching the heating element, cord goes out the bottom side of the trough.

[anicolle]

@danacat

The Cobbets look pretty great – but I’d personally be hesitant to use one due to the fact that they aren’t very high and I just know my horses would eventually get a foot inside the opening = stuck – if that’s possible. Maybe the design is safe but I can’t tell.

Since you have electric (I assume?) and can use a float heater, why not just get a heated water tub? Very safe – I’ve been using these for years with no problem and my horses are busy bodies. Just a thought.

Yeah we have electric. I’ll look into that! I’ve just never had to heat water and after watching my one guy dunk ice chunks into the water I am hesitant.

I know the cobbets make a taller model that is more horse friendly, DH said they run about 4k and we most likely are going to be buying different property in the next year so I don’t want to dump a ton of money into where we are.

[cutter99]

I have used a Rubbermaid trough with a plug heater for the last 16-17 years with no issues, and I do have a busy body horse who loves to get into everything. As long as the water in the trough is covering the plug heater by a few issues, he never touches it. If the water gets too low, he will then try to play with it.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/lawn-and-garden/farm-and-ranch-supplies/animal-feeders-and-waterers/7001746?x429=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5tLZpoXk4AIVEDFpCh2NnQdqEAQYASABEgLBbPD_BwE

https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/441162-allied-precision-drain-plug-de-icer.html?feedsource=3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_6HOuoXk4AIVsCCtBh1gawn1EAQYASABEgKsMfD_BwE

[avjudge]

I think we tried the brand that danacat showed (it was green like that one - Farm Innovators?) at the beginning of this winter, and it never shut off (confirmed by a kill-a-watt). I noticed a few of the reviews mentioning that the water got quite warm, so I think it wasn’t just ours.

But if the muck bucket size is a good one for you, look for the API (Allied Products) blue 16-gallon bucket. It has a thermostat that keeps the water in the right range - low 40s maybe? - and a double bottom so the heating element doesn’t touch the water.

Unfortunately, it seems to be out of stock at a lot of online retailers, and really expensive at the ones with it in stock. We are fortunate that this brand is carried by a store near my sister.

[Qhtrlrdr]

Why not put in a Bar-Bar-A waterer? They don’t require any electricity.

[EmilyM]

I think the electrocution risk is actually a myth. I read an article about it somewhere. Chance of colic from not drinking is higher than death from electrocution.

[IFG]

I have used a 100 gallon rubbermaid tub with this tank heater for years. Love it.

https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30E07427-7B6A-11D5-A192-00B0D0204AE5

[Lolliver]

We have a 100 gallon hard plastic trough with a sinking heater. We also have a “helpful” horse who likes to pull out the heater. We run the electrical cord through a PVC pipe hooked over the side of the trough and that stops her from removing it!

[wildlifer]

I use both the heated muck tub size and I use a plug heater (with internal thermostat) in a 100-gal rubber maid tub. Have for quite a few years. Love both. I do have young horse who likes to play with everything, but no issues with either, I just make sure to keep water levels full enough that he’s not tempted.

The warm water keeps the horses drinking much more, I will never give up my heaters!

[Simkie]

@EmilyM

I think the electrocution risk is actually a myth. I read an article about it somewhere. Chance of colic from not drinking is higher than death from electrocution.

No, it’s not a myth. Water heaters that are malfunctioning can electrocute anything that touches the water. Water heaters that bleed a small amount of electricity into the water will prevent horses from drinking because they’ll get a little buzz.

I know someone who lost a horse this winter because of a heater malfunction. Went out in the morning and found the horse dead at the trough. An electrician confirmed the horse was electrocuted when she went to drink.

I thought this was pretty common knowledge and am pretty stunned that anyone would call it a myth.

EVERYONE should know that if you ever find a horse dead next to a heated trough, DON’T reach into the tank…turn off the heater at the breaker before calling the electrician. And if horses are banging at a heated trough and refusing to drink, there’s probably some low voltage energizing the water.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t heat your water, but good lord–understand the risks and what it looks like when things go wrong.

[IFG]

@Simkie

No, it’s not a myth. Water heaters that are malfunctioning can electrocute anything that touches the water. Water heaters that bleed a small amount of electricity into the water will prevent horses from drinking because they’ll get a little buzz.

I know someone who lost a horse this winter because of a heater malfunction. Went out in the morning and found the horse dead at the trough. An electrician confirmed the horse was electrocuted when she went to drink.

I thought this was pretty common knowledge and am pretty stunned that anyone would call it a myth.

EVERYONE should know that if you ever find a horse dead next to a heated trough, DON’T reach into the tank…turn off the heater at the breaker before calling the electrician. And if horses are banging at a heated trough and refusing to drink, there’s probably some low voltage energizing the water.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t heat your water, but good lord–understand the risks and what it looks like when things go wrong.

Good reminder that trough heaters should always be plugged into GFI outlets. I have been having an issue with one of my heaters (I hope that is it, because I just replaced it–fingers crossed). My poor horse may have gotten a small shock, but my indicator was that the GFI tripped.

[anicolle]

Good news is the cold streak is over and I can fill up my troughs without having to heat anything right now and my creek is open again.

Thanks everyone! I’m thinking of going with one of those plastic troughs with the sinking heater etc.

Has anyone used the insulated bucket heaters? Like the ones that smartpak sells for the small buckets. I think DH already thinks I’m crazy by if I was going to try to insulate small buckets that way and fill enough up for all the horses.