When the temperatures dip below 32 degrees, keeping the water in your horse stalls from freezing can be a challenge. There’s only so much frozen bucket hammering that one can take during the winter, and freezing water buckets can put your horse at a higher risk of colic. There are a number of ways that you can help to keep stall water from freezing.

Use a Floating Ball

Put a floating ball into your horse’s stall water bucket. As the ball floats and moves about the water’s surface, it helps to slow down the formation of ice. The downside to this technique is that some horses play with the balls and remove them from the buckets, so you’ll have to check back to make sure that your horse leaves the ball alone. You will also want to make sure that your horse is still comfortable drinking from the bucket with the ball in it.

Insulate Water Buckets

Insulating your water buckets can help to slow, and sometimes prevent, freezing. There are a number of ways to insulate buckets. You can opt to purchase an insulation product, such as the Water Bucket Cozy.

You can also insulate water buckets on your own, by wrapping flexible sheets of insulation around the water bucket. If you choose to insulate a water bucket yourself, you will want to be sure that the insulation sheet is thoroughly covered with a protective material, such as a layer of duct tape or a nylon casing, to prevent your horse from nibbling on the insulation.

Use Heated Water Buckets

If insulating a water bucket is too troublesome, then consider buying some heated water buckets to use in your horse’s stall. Heated buckets continuously keep water above freezing. If you opt to use heated buckets, make sure that your stalls are outfitted with electrical outlets. Any extension cords you use should be intended for outdoor use and kept well out of a horse’s reach.

Add Warm Water

Adding warm water to your horse’s bucket can help to keep water from freezing as quickly. Adding warm water when you do your night check can help to prevent the buckets from freezing overnight.

Install Horse Waterers and Heating Kits

Possibly the most surefire way to keep water from freezing, installing a stall waterer can make the task of watering your horses easier during the winter. Stall waterers will also eliminate the need to lug buckets, which can slosh over and freeze in the barn aisle, making the footing dangerous.

In the winter keeping your horse's water ice-free becomes particularly important. What ways do you prefer to prevent ice from forming?

Image Source: Woman-and-dog-sit-together

Original Source: How to Keep Horse Stall Water From Freezing in the Winter