Freezing Horse Troughs

Horses require large amounts of water to help their bodies digest the dry foods on which they survive. These needs do not change during the cold winter months, yet a horse's water consumption naturally drops right along with the temperatures. Keeping trough water from freezing, and even warming the water slightly, encourages horses to drink enough water to stay properly hydrated.

  1. Winter Water Needs

    • An average horse needs between eight and 12 gallons of water per day to maintain healthy body functions. Without adequate water, horses are at greater risk of impaction colic, which is essentially severe constipation. Gaited Horses (gaitedhorses.net), an educational website for horse owners, suggests keeping water warmed to 45 to 65 degrees F in wintertime to encourage horses to drink more. The site cautions against forcing horses to eat snow for moisture, as this does not provide adequate moisture.

    Electric and Solar Trough Warmers

    • Electric trough warmers work in somewhat the same manner as a waterbed heater. Some include an electrical cord and a heating element such as a hose that is placed in the trough to warm the water, while others may consist of a heated plate that sits under the trough. Solar troughs, which have solar panels built into the unit, harness the energy of the sun to heat the water.

    Water Circulation

    • While water circulation won't heat the water in the trough, if this technique is effectively employed it will prevent the horse trough from freezing. Something as simple as a basketball or wooden plank may be enough to prevent freeze-over, but may not be enough for the coldest days. An aerator, however, will disturb the surface of the water enough to prevent freezing, and can circulate warm water throughout the trough.

    Other Trough Tips

    • Insulation will go a long way toward preventing freezing horse troughs. Bury the lower portion of the trough to limit its exposure to freezing temperatures, and paint the remaining exposed portion black to make the most of sunlight when possible. If burying the trough is not feasible, consider building an outer shell around the trough and placing foam insulation between the outer shell and the trough.