Ready For The Next Cold Wave?

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

So I did this water test a few years ago, and now this winter.

My horses have two insulated buckets each, except the minis who have one. I also have electric heated buckets that I have not used in years. I now remember why.

I set up the buckets and gave my horses the choice of insulated vs. heated. They chose to break the skim ice out of the insulated buckets vs. even touching the heated. Except the minis, who are weird anyways.

I do have the heated in the stalls until this cold passes, but I will take them out after and either store or sell them. Must remind myself in a few years they don’t like them. At least I got new extension cords for the fans in the summer!

[endlessclimb]

Is there a color difference between your insulated ones and the heated ones?

[JanM]

It’s now predicted to be below freezing where I am through tomorrow about noon time. (Lower Alabama).

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

Yes but my regular buckets are many colors so that is not it. They didn’t like the heated before I got the insulated. I think they don’t like the warmer water.

[sascha]

@endlessclimb

Is there a color difference between your insulated ones and the heated ones?

This can definitely be a thing, but there are horses that just plain don’t like heated buckets.

And then there are those (not looking at mine in particular or anything ) who don’t like heated but also want warm and will make a hell of a mess and throw withering looks at any passersby if the water is not up to par. Spoilt. Yes, it’s my fault. No wait! It’s a previous barn owner’s fault for always topping up with hot in the winter. And, um, yeah, ok, a little bit my fault because I kept up the practice when I started doing night check for her and then kept it up again when I moved to a self-care facility.

[goodhors]

I DO HAVE one of those little dipper rascals from before the bucket holders were installed! We still use it occasionally for dipping things out of freshly filled buckets (mouthful of hay). Ha ha

The heated buckets got used, drank out of, but were my headache worrying about them not working properly, shorting out, etc. I sold all but 2, for just in case. Only 2 box stalls wired for power. They drew a LOT of power. We get better drinking with the insulated bucket holders.

Staying cold, been 2F since 8AM. No wind. Got another inch of snow last night. Not squeaking yet! Supposed to be 20F tomorrow. Stars were very bright in the clear sky last night.

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

Apparently when it’s 5 degrees in the barn (-6 outside) and your insulated buckets got frozen fast, drinking warmed water ain’t so bad after all I am glad I left them plugged in for the night!

[4horses]

All my friends in the panhandle of Florida are enjoying the snow. Unfortunately it didn’t make it here. They closed the schools and cancelled everything and then all we had was several hours of 33 degree rain. My horses did not want to use the run in so I had to take their blankets off. If their blankets were on, they wanted to be out in the downpour because, well, they are horses.

[2DogsFarm]

My Herd O’ 3 say yours are weirdos.
They LOFF the heated buckets in their stalls.
But they most like the one in horse’s stall.
I have to refill that one at least twice a day.
All 3 - horse, pony & mini - use the stall as a group hangout/run-in.
Bucket in mini’s stall gets some use, as does the one in pony’s, though not nearly as much.
Pony’s bucket cracked near the rim (after 20yrs, not complaining) so it can’t be hung by the bail & sits in a corner on the floor of the stall. Where it’s preferred for dunking hay, judging by the handfuls I pull out daily.
After horse’s bucket, the 50gal barrel just outside the barn, is 2nd choice. I have to top that off at least once a day.

[goodhors]

Wahoo! Temps started going up late yesterday, got to 15F Maybe 19F today. Amazing how much warmer things feel. Snowing again, not sure how much will come. At least they are plowing the country roads after getting all the highways cleared.

Went to Grand Rapids yesterday and it is “not so nice” over there. Quite a bit more snow, with much of it moving in the wind. Blowing snow and cold had the highways slick, black ice, greasy feeling under my wheels. Traffic ACTUALLY slowed down for the most part, 55mph or less in places. And those who did not slow, seemed to spin off into the median or down the side of the road. Saw a number of those waiting for help. They all stayed upright out there in the snow, were cars and pickups, no crashes. Wreckers were making money! The Semi trucks slowed down!! Weather change line seemed to be at Ionia. Got home safely.

[Mosey_2003]

@2DogsFarm

Bucket in mini’s stall gets some use, as does the one in pony’s, though not nearly as much.
Pony’s bucket cracked near the rim (after 20yrs, not complaining) so it can’t be hung by the bail & sits in a corner on the floor of the stall. Where it’s preferred for dunking hay, judging by the handfuls I pull out daily.

Probably a stupid question, but why not hang the mini’s bucket in the pony stall and put the broken one on the floor in the mini’s stall?

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

I am in Zeeland but use the Holland totals…and it’s still snowing!

[2DogsFarm]

Not stupid at all.
Big - 12X12 - talls are used by all 3, pony limbos into mini’s 10X12 stall through the 4’ high back entrance, horse can’t.
Bucket in horse’s stall gets used by all 3. Same for the bucket on the floor in pony’s stall.
Bucket in mini’s stall is smaller than the other 2. Probably holds maybe 2 gallons, the others are 5.
Since last year, the cracked bucket has done fine on the floor.

[Mosey_2003]

I was just figuring to curtail the hay dunking a bit but if the system works that’s what matters

[2DogsFarm]

My WB had no problem dunking in his bucket hung at normal height.
He was so enthusiastic, it sounded like a toploading washer

[Mosey_2003]

I lucked out on the hay dunking but my first horse was an avid bucket-pooper, it used to drive me INSANE.

[2DogsFarm]

Eeeewwww!!!

[Mango20]

We made it to the upper 20s today and I booted my elderly barn cat out of my basement (she’s 14 or 15). I’ve had her inside Mon-Thurs when the temps ranged from 0º-15º or so. One of my dogs has been begging everyone to open the basement door for her so she can get the kitty. It’s been less than ideal.

[fourfillies]

We got to 32F! Been a blessing for us as cold as -13F is for southern PA it hasn’t been very windy all week. Donkey blankets may come off after 8 overnight tonight.

[JanM]

Everything is melting here in lower Alabama. Grocery stores were closed from Wednesday noon to 10 am yesterday, and they’re still trying to restock. Some fast food places are still closed, their supplies come from Florida warehouses, or by Atlanta, and the trucks couldn’t move until today.

Only a couple more nights below freezing. Next week predicting highs in the 60s, and thunderstorms a couple of days.