Water is the most important nutrient your horse needs any time of the year. It is essential for organ function, proper digestion and other body processes.
In the winter months, horses tend to drink less water than they need, but it is still a vital health requirement. Horses will drink warm water, which is difficult to provide in the winter, especially if you live where the outside temperature goes below freezing for any period of time. It is essential to keep fresh water available at all times – that means high quality, clean, and unfrozen. In fact, the best way to keep your horse drinking enough water in the winter is to make sure it is ice free, even if the water is outside. You can easily do this with a tank de-icer.
A tank de-icer can be a timesaver for any barn. No more hauling warm water to the trough, no more breaking up the ice on top so your horse can get to this valuable resource.
De-icers come in two styles: floating and submersible.
Clean tank tip
One tip to keep troughs and buckets clean without dumping them on the ground, creating ice and dangerous footing for your horse, is to use a small net to skim the debris from the top of the water. Keep the net on a hook by the source of the water. Although it will likely freeze, once you place it in the water the next time, it will thaw out enough to use.
Floating models are created for buoyancy. You place them in a stock tank and they keep the surface water thawed. Floating de-icers may or may not be completely enclosed, and often include styrofoam to keep them afloat. They are controlled by a thermostat and include an automatic shut-off and turn-on feature. If you use a floating de-icer, make sure your horse does not play with it or chew the cord.
Another type of de-icer is not buoyant. They are submersible and safely sit at the bottom of the water tank or are securely clipped to the side of the tank. They prevent ice build-up in the tank and are designed so that a playful horse will not remove it from the water. The heating elements are protected from the horse. These also have automatic thermostats so that the water stays at a constant temperature.
Heated buckets
If your horse has a bucket in his stall or turnout area, a great way to keep the water thawed and palatable is to provide a heated bucket. With a heated bucket, a reliable water source is never far away.
Keeping water thawed is essential for your horse’s health. It may make the difference between good health and dehydration.
Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff
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