How to Insulate a Horse Trough With a Hole in the Top

Ranchers worry about both cost and availability of drinking water in the depths of winter. In the remotest areas of a ranch, it's not possible to run an electric heater to keep the water from freezing. Even near the barn, the expense of heating the water all winter long surpasses the cost of insulating the troughs. Painting the trough black captures the most heat from the sun. Multiple layers also capture insulating air.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring Tape
  • Insulating foam board
  • 3/4 inch plywood boards
  • Circular saw
  • Drill with phillips bit
  • 1-by-2 boards
  • 1 1/4 inch wood screws
  • Saber saw
  • Sand paper
  • Black spray paint
  • Bread knife
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut foam board to fit around the horse trough. Attach the insulating foam board around the water trough with strapping tape.

    • 2

      Measure the length and width of the insulated trough. Add 2 inches to the length and width of the insulated trough and cut plywood for each of the sides. Make the plywood 1/2 inch higher than the top of the trough.

    • 3

      Cut the 1-by-2 boards the same height as the plywood. You will need four pieces at a minimum. If your trough is longer than 3 feet, plan to place one 1-by-2 board every 2 feet.

    • 4

      Screw the plywood into a box around the insulated trough. Place a 1-by-2 board vertically in each corner to support the box. Screw through the plywood into the 1-by-2 board with the drill.

    • 5

      Slide any additional 1-by-2 boards behind the plywood for support along the long side, if needed, and secure them with screws.

    • 6

      Cut a piece of plywood to fit across the top of the trough. Cut a piece of insulating foam board to fit inside the trough with a bread knife. Fit the foam board as tightly and completely as possible into the top. Most of the heat is lost through the top.

    • 7

      Mark a hole large enough for your livestock to drink from. Drill a hole large enough to fit the saber saw blade slightly inside the hole you marked. Cut out the hole with the saber saw. Sand the edges of the hole smooth.

    • 8

      Place the top over the trough and mark the hole on the insulating foam board. Cut out the hole in the foam board with a bread knife. Clean any foam bits out of the trough.

    • 9

      Secure the lid on the top of the trough by screwing through the plywood into the tops of the 1-by-2 board vertical supports.

    • 10

      Spray paint the trough black. Fill the trough with water after the paint has dried.