Frozen Water Troughs & Tanks
A large ball placed in the water trough or tank will make it easier to break the ice when it freezes
If possible, keep the tap or ballcock dripping slightly as the running water makes it harder to freeze over
If the tank or trough is high above the ground and completly exposed to the elements it will freeze quicker, if possible partially submerge it into the ground to give it some insulation or encase it in an old tractor tyre stuffed with straw
Frozen Drinking Water
Just One Of Many Winter Problems
Buy an insulated water trough or water heater, expensive at several hundred pounds but probably the only thing that will actually prevent the water from freezing
Before the days of water heaters farmers sometimes used the hot bed system which involves raising the water trough up off the ground onto blocks on 3 sides, dig a small pit underneath and fill with fresh manure, it will need turning over to generate enough heat to prevent the water freezing
we know of a local farmer who leaves the taps dripping and makes sure the ball cock leaks on the cattle trough, that way the water dosn't get chance to freeze over, expensive if you're on a meter though…
just remembered – last winter we put old socks on top of outside boots as it helps to grip on the snow and ice
Plenty fibre add lib hay or haylage n rugs galore x
cannot believe how cold its got this week, how did we cope last year? come on folks, lets hear your ideas for horse care in freezing conditions…
cannot believe how cold its got this week, how did we cope last year? come on folks, lets hear your ideas for horse care in freezing conditions…