Horse scratching and knocking water bucket over-- how to stop?

[KPF]

So, I loff my new horse. BUT, he’s driving me crazy with the water bucket tipping. My horses are at home, and in during the day, out at night. Each evening he has either tipped the bucket and spilled water everywhere or, like last night, he’s gotten the bucket completely off the wall. I think he’s scratching his butt and I have checked him for ticks. He’s just an itchy horse in general and is constantly scratching on stuff.

I don’t want him to be without water, especially since it’s already hot here. Plus he’s wasting a ton of shavings by getting them wet! The bucket is a flat back one on a bucket buddy type hanger. What can I do to keep him from tipping it (or removing it?) Any suggestions on other arrangements for him? The only thing I can think of is one of those insulated bucket holders that screws onto the wall and has a big pail type bucket set down in a hole in it. Actually that may be a good option since it wouldn’t freeze as easily in winter. Thoughts???

[analise]

You might try a rubber bucket (shaped just like the plastic kind) so it at least will squish instead of tipping.

Generally, if you want to keep using a regular bucket, there isn’t a whole lot you can do to keep it from tipping if he’s rubbing on it.

Maybe if you don’t want to do the insulated sort, one of the corner feeders would work? They hold a reasonable amount of water and are hung in such a way that they wouldn’t tip (the downside being they’re more difficult to take out and clean when you need to scrub them).

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

I have seen (but of course cannot find now) bucket holders that are sort of like giant cup holders… there’s a ring that goes around the sides of the bucket, and a piece of metal on the bottom that supports the bucket.

Maybe something like that?

And maybe get him an Itchin’ Post? http://www.itchin-post.com/

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

This is sort of like what I was thinking about: http://www.enasco.com/product/C30157N

[ESG]

Use one of these:

http://www.kvsupply.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf_id=83308&gift=False&0=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D9000&1=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D40000%26menu_id%3D%26Tree%3D0%2CEquine&2=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D42500%26menu_id%3D%26Tree%3D1%2CStall%2C%20Trailer%20%26%20Barn&3=dept.asp%2Cdept_id%3D42505%26menu_id%3D%26Tree%3D2%2CMiscellaneous%20Equipment&HSLB=False&mscssid=14D77C0FCE6F4F82844EA612B4B6A241

My husband’s big Dutch gelding was forever tumping his buckets over. This was the only thing that stopped that.

If your horse still manages to get the bucket out, a double end snap (one end on the bucket handle, the other on the top rung of the bucket holder) will keep it in place.

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

What ESG found - THAT’s what I was thinking of!!! :yes::yes::yes::yes:

[JollyBadger]

My boyfriend’s beefy 17hh TWH likes to “sit” on his buckets as well, and will tip them in all directions if he can. There have been a few times where I’ve gone to the barn for an evening check, only to find the gelding resting his hind end against the bars of the stall, more or less sitting on his water bucket, with his butt cheeks pressed through the bars of his stall front. He just turns his head and eyeballs me, then gets up and proceeds to knock the bucket enough to dump even more water out.

Thinking of getting him one of these:

http://www.bigdweb.com/WALL-BRACKET-BUCKET-HOLDER/productinfo/WB20/

[MsM]

One low-tech solution I have seen: Bucket is attached in a corner. Then a strong peice of wood is screwed diagonally just below lip height of the bucket in front of it.

[OveroHunter]

I’ll just throw this out there… You wormed your horse right? A horse that needs to be wormed will scratch its butt on anything and everything.

[wcporter]

And check his sheath too? I used to ride a hanoverian who would rub his tail/butt anywhere and everywhere if his sheath was at all dirty.

And listerine helped if his tail was itchy…maybe that will help?

[ChocoMare]

And if he’s uber itchy, search for the giant Onchocerca thread over in Horse Care and read upon Neck Threadworms

[BoomerButt]

Skin So Soft. Best thing I have ever used for itchy butts. My mare will occassionally get dry skin at the top of her tail. We rub in skin so soft and you can literally hear her sigh LOL.

We had the water bucket holders in my old boarding barn that JollyBadger is talking about. I really liked them. They kept the buckets steady when they fit into the lip at the bottom. The only issue I had with them was when the 17hand mare decided to poop in her FULL water bucket and I got soaked trying to lift the bucket up and out of that holder. Otherwise, it was really nice.

[KPF]

Thanks!

I may try one of those bucket holders if I don’t go the insulated bucket route. I’d been contemplating the insulated ones anyway to keep my buckets from freezing in winter.

His sheath was just cleaned by the vet a few weeks ago while he was sedated, and he was just wormed too. I also routinely spray Listerine on his tail. Pretty sure he’s just an itchy guy in general. He doesn’t have any scabs or rashes or anything, but is constantly trying to get me to scratch his head too! He was like that at the seller’s barn too.

[ESG]

I’d stop with the Listerine, unless there’s something special that warrants it. It can be very drying to skin, and will strip the natural oils from skin and hair, making them dry,…and itchy.

JME.

[Hilary]

Is there any way to hang the bucket outside his stall where he could still reach it? I know most stalls have bars, but that would keep him from leaning on it.

[OveroHunter]

Maybe he’s bored. I get figity when I’m bored, I’m sure horses can too!

[spacytracy]

Those bucket buddy things SUCK. At least for destructive types. Mine likes to get really physical with his feed bucket while he’s eating. I can’t count how many times he has flipped it off the bucket buddy thing onto the ground, spilling grain everywhere, and then ruining the little white tab on the bucket buddy.

Thankfully he doesn’t do it with his water - I bet that’s really frustrating.

[Rockinghorse_Feeders]

Hello, I ran across your post tonight, and I have the answer for your problem! I’d love for you to try a Rockinghorse Feeder. Rockinghorse Feeders are the new, patented feed buckets that stand right back up when pushed. They sit at ground level and need no attachment to a wall or a fence. They’re great for in-stall or outdoor feeding situations. Visit our website, www.rockinghorsefeeders.com, where you’ll find videos and information. You may order there or at Jeffers by calling (800) JEFFERS. We’re in their spring Equine catalog and their Livestock catalog as well.
I’m the owner and inventor of Rockinghorse Feeders, so please feel free to contact me with any questions. I’m happy to answer them!
Rockinghorse Feeders
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