Providing livestock and horses with fresh, clean water is an important and necessary part of care, especially during the colder, winter months.
Water troughs and buckets used for your horses and livestock should be checked daily during freezing temperatures for ice. Any ice can be broken relatively easily with a pick, hammer or any other similar tool, and should be performed daily.
The muck and debris that accumulates on the bottom of a large water trough can contaminate the water after a freeze. By ensuring your water troughs are cleaned before a freeze, your effectively ensuring the water for your livestock and horses remains fresh. Large water troughs should be cleaned at least quarterly. Keeping gold fish in your large troughs year-round will help minimize algae growth.
Smaller water buckets, found in stalls, should be cleaned at the least on a weekly basis. During the freezing months, heat lamps can be mounted from the stable’s ceiling so they are positioned in the vicinity of the water buckets in each stall. These lamps will help keep the horses warm and the water from icing over.
Heated water buckets for your horses can be an effective alternative for keeping the water from freezing, but should be used with caution. Electrical cords should be checked for damage to the wires and insulation daily. Route cords in such a way to minimize contact with your horses. Horses will step, pull, or bite at cords, breaking the insulation and fraying the cords, causing them to become a fire hazard.
Hydrants and plumbing should be insulated with heat tape or polyurethane foam to minimize freezing during the winter months.
Do you have any tips that you incorporate for your livestock and horses water needs, especially during the colder, winter months? Let us know!
