automatic waterers for horse barn

rick165 · Nov 8, 2011

looking for some kind of automatic waterer for horse stalls just truing to find out whats out there thanks
RICK.

Kirk Grau · Nov 8, 2011

I have a good investment in the Nelson"s in the link below. Not cheap, but haven"t had to worry about one for years. Brush out the bowls every couple of days and move on.

Kirk
Nelson Manufacturing

SKYBOW · Nov 8, 2011

I agree. I have two Nelson Waterers here in Iowa. THey NEVER freeze up even when it is -20 out. Closest thing to trouble free I've seen.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 9, 2011

(quoted from post at 16:53:46 11/08/11) looking for some kind of automatic waterer for horse stalls just truing to find out whats out there thanks
RICK.

I've got these and heat tape..Love to have the nelsons but just don't pencil out. Freezetime isn't long enough and horses are only near running water for a few weeks so the heat tape doesn't eat us up....

JML755 · Nov 9, 2011

Barn where I keep my horse has about 55 of the Nelson's. Worked fine for about 10 yrs. Now, they are the biggest PITA to maintain. A log of it is people messing with them or not keeping them clean. The drain hole in the bottom gets plugged and hay/grain/water mix make a stinking mess unless you regularly clean them. (Though expanding the hole would solve that problem) Some of them the counterbalance is very finicky and horses can be rough on them. I've had to bend/tweak the pivot mechanism on quite a few to get them to work smooth in stalls where there's a bad cribber.

By far, the worst problem is that the thermostats fail over time and they fail ON. This causes the heating element to stay on and the water will darn near boil. I've seen smoke coming from many of them where hay was smoldering underneath the bowl.

Not saying I wouldn't use them, just that they DO require attention. In fact, don't really need them at the barn since it's now heated (to 42 deg) in the winter.

Sarah Jo · Nov 9, 2011

Have you taken a look at a Ritchie? they have stainless steel stall waterers. We have the ground mounted units and LOVE them. Over the past 8 years we have had to replace a valve and the heat tape but other than that they have worked flawlessly. The company is very helpful too if you have a problem. Their site is Ritchiefount.com. Look for stall founts under the product page.

rick165 · Nov 9, 2011

thanks for the info i will check them all out and see what one i like the best thanks.
RICK

Anonymous-0 · Nov 9, 2011

Personally I would never put automatic waterers inside the barn/stalls. Just too much to go wrong.

As for brands, I like Mirafount and Behlen.

Kirk Grau · Nov 9, 2011

Have had mine ~8 years now, might have to start watching for issues you mention. Went through them this afternoon out of curiousity and did not see any issues for now, except for some hay in one of them. Thanks for the heads up.

Kirk

Sarah Jo · Nov 10, 2011

I would have to disagree with Behlen. they are crap. If you place one side by side to different brand, you can see that there are quality issues. I am partial to Ritchie and if you are looking for a ground unit like Miraco makes, there are several models you can use as well.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 11, 2011

Well I do admit the Behlen waterers are no where near as pretty or fancy as other brands. But you get what you pay for. I'm looking for water...not statuary. After 9 years in the ground (knock on wood) and lots of thoroughbreds chewing and pushing on them, they all still work. Simple, basic, half the price, relatively reliable (as reliable as any). I use the round post waterers.

Horses have never said much about whether they like them or not.

automatic waterers for horse barn

rick165

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