How to Diagnose Problems With Heated Horse Troughs

Horses that have access to warm water during cold winter months have less issues with impaction colic due to not drinking adequate amounts of water. Unfortunately, there will be times when a water trough heater stops working. All horse water trough heaters should be inspected daily to be sure they are properly functioning. Whether your horse water trough heater is a floating heater or a submersible water heater, the troubleshooting steps will be the same.

Things You'll Need

  • Submersible water trough heater
  • Floating water trough heater
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Instructions

    • 1

      Insert your hand into the heated water trough to check for any shocks. If you feel a shock, immediately unplug the heater. Horses can feel even the mildest shocks from a non-functioning water trough heater and will refuse to drink.

    • 2

      Unplug the water trough heater and remove from the water trough entirely.

    • 3

      Check the electrical cord from beginning to end for breaks, tears or frays. Even small tears in the electrical cord can cause mild shocks to the water or cause the water trough heater to stop working completely.

    • 4

      Inspect the heater coil for damage. Any corroded areas or breaks in the coil will cause the heater to stop working.

    • 5

      Check your horse water troughs daily to ensure the water level is above the tank heater. While floating tank heaters will shut off on their own, submersible tank heaters will not.