My young horse has decided that relocating the floating trough heater is a really fun new trick. Barn manager started removing it in the morning and replacing it when they come in at night. That’s working for the moment.
Any suggestions for a different type of heater or a different setup that will be safe to leave in with our resident gray menace to society?
My trough heater sits on the bottom of the trough. We situate it at one end and then we have made a cover (out of wood) for half the trough that covers the end where the heater is.
So far that has kept my heater safe from my pony who likes to play with things.
Either one that sinks if you don’t have a drain plug, or one that screws into the drain plug if you do.
For a sinker, run the power cord through pvc with an elbow to go over the edge of the tub, and as far from there as it takes for the cord to actually be unreachable, so nobody can drag it out. The board covering part of the trough, like trub describes, may also be necessary
When I had to use a trough in winter with a heater (I don’t usually), I put the trough UNDER the paddock fence, so half of it stuck into the paddock for the use of the horse, and half on the outside of the paddock, which is where the heater was, out of reach of any horse involvement. Worked well. Trough was oval shape, so half being accessed by the horse was plenty.
The drain plug style is my favorite. I also like the heated muck tubs if you don’t need to water too many horses- I think they hold 16 gallons?
I’m having an issue with my weanling, who thinks cords are the most fun toys. I think I’m going to have to build a box to keep her away before she gets electrocuted!
So we’re still running with the floating trough heater left in at night and that seems to still be working.
Meanwhile, I just got this from my barn manager. Here’s my ridiculous creature with an example of why we can’t have nice things. 
Until THIS happens!! The pony had been splashing all the water out with his head and apparently hit the heater and damaged the thermostat, so it just ran continuously instead of shutting off. I discovered this in the morning.
210116_7960 by Wendy, on Flickr
Yikes! I have fallen out of love with the drain plug type since posting this, as once again I had the plastic snap on one, rendering it useless.
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