5 Best Electric Water Troughs For Horses Reducing Ice Chopping Ranchers Swear By
End the daily chore of chopping ice. We review 5 top-rated electric troughs that provide horses with constant access to water, saving you winter labor.
There’s a certain sound that defines winter on a farm: the rhythmic thud of an axe against a sheet of ice in a water trough. It’s a chore that steals precious daylight and numbs your fingers to the bone. For those of us juggling a day job with our passion for farming, that time is too valuable to spend fighting a losing battle with the temperature.
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Why Heated Troughs Beat Chopping Ice by Hand
The daily ritual of breaking ice is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a significant time drain. When you have a limited window of daylight after work, spending 20 minutes of it swinging an axe is frustrating. It’s a task that never ends, reforming within hours on the coldest nights. A heated trough hands that time back to you for other essential chores.
More importantly, it’s about the health of your horses. Horses are notoriously reluctant to drink frigid water, which can lead to dehydration and increase the risk of impaction colic—a serious and costly emergency. Providing constant access to liquid water ensures they stay properly hydrated through the winter. Think of it less as a luxury for you and more as a critical piece of health equipment for them.
Behlen Country Energy-Free Waterer Review
The idea of an "energy-free" waterer sounds too good to be true, but it’s based on simple science. These units use a long, insulated tube that extends several feet into the ground, drawing on geothermal heat to keep the water in the drinking basin just above freezing. They require no electricity, making them a fantastic solution for remote pastures where running power is impractical or impossible.
The catch is in the setup and herd size. An energy-free waterer requires significant excavation to install the earth tube correctly. It also relies on frequent use by a decent number of animals to keep fresh, warmer water circulating up from the supply line. For a single horse or a very small group, it may not get enough use to prevent a skim of ice on the absolute coldest days.
High Country Plastics Heated Trough Pro Model
This is the workhorse you see on many small farms, and for good reason. The High Country Plastics models are essentially a tough, insulated tub with a heating element and thermostat built right in. You just fill it up and plug it in. The heavy-duty polyethylene construction is a huge plus—it won’t rust, and it’s less likely to injure a horse than a metal tank.
Their biggest advantage is the blend of capacity and portability. They come in various sizes, from 25 to 100 gallons, accommodating a few horses or a small herd. A well-placed drain plug makes cleaning a breeze, which is a feature you’ll deeply appreciate in freezing weather. It’s a straightforward, reliable, and effective solution that hits the sweet spot for most hobby farm setups.
Ritchie OmniFount 2: A Time-Tested Classic
Keep your livestock hydrated all winter with the Ritchie Omni Fount 2. This automatic, heated waterer features easy maintenance, a large access panel, and energy-efficient insulation for reliable performance.
If you want to buy one waterer and have it last for the next 30 years, you buy a Ritchie. These units are the gold standard in the industry, built with incredibly durable materials and designed for maximum energy efficiency. The combination of a fully insulated casing and a small drinking area minimizes water exposure to cold air, meaning the heater runs far less often.
This is a "buy once, cry once" investment. A Ritchie OmniFount is more expensive upfront and requires a permanent installation with a buried water line and dedicated electrical. It’s not a trough you can move between pastures. But for a permanent, high-traffic area like a dry lot or central paddock, the long-term savings on your electric bill and the sheer reliability are unmatched.
Little Giant 16-Gallon Heated Water Bucket
Sometimes, a massive trough is overkill. For a horse kept in a stall overnight, a small paddock, or a quarantine pen, the Little Giant heated bucket is the perfect tool for the job. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a heavy-duty, 16-gallon flat-back bucket with a thermostatically controlled heater in the base.
You’re trading capacity for convenience and cost. You will have to fill this daily for a single horse, but you won’t ever have to break ice out of it. It’s an affordable entry point into heated watering and an excellent solution for specific, small-scale needs. Just be sure to secure the cord so your horse can’t play with it.
Brower MF2E Electric Heated Horse Waterer
Brower is another top-tier name in the permanent waterer category, often compared directly with Ritchie. They are known for exceptional insulation and energy-efficient designs that sip electricity. The MF2E model, for example, features a durable polyethylene body with a stainless steel drinking basin, offering the best of both worlds in materials.
The choice between a Brower and a Ritchie often comes down to specific features or local dealer availability. Brower’s designs sometimes offer slightly different access points for maintenance or different basin shapes. Like Ritchie, this is a permanent fixture for a serious setup, promising years of trouble-free, ice-free water with minimal impact on your utility costs.
Key Features: Power, Capacity, and Material
When you’re choosing, the decision boils down to three main factors. Get these right, and you’ll be happy with your purchase for years to come.
- Power: Do you have a GFCI-protected outlet where you need it? If not, an energy-free model is your primary option. If you do, look at the wattage—a well-insulated 250-watt trough can outperform a poorly made 1000-watt model and save you money.
- Capacity: Be realistic about your herd size. A 16-gallon bucket is a chore for two horses. A 100-gallon trough is wasteful for one. Aim for enough capacity to last at least 24 hours to reduce refilling chores and prevent competition at the water source.
The material the trough is made from matters for both safety and longevity. Polyethylene plastic is the standard for a reason: it’s safe, durable, and a good insulator. Avoid cheap, thin plastics that can become brittle and crack in the cold. For permanent units, stainless steel basins are incredibly easy to scrub clean and will last forever, but they are part of a much more expensive system.
Safety and Electrical Setup for Your Pasture
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, and this is not the place to improvise. Any heated trough or bucket must be plugged into an outlet protected by a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI). This device detects any change in current and shuts the power off in milliseconds, which can prevent a fatal shock. Test your GFCI outlets regularly.
Ensure safety with this 15 Amp GFCI outlet, featuring an LED indicator for power status and easy back or side wiring. Includes a decorator wall plate and is ETL listed for quality assurance.
Protect the cord. A horse can destroy an extension cord in minutes, creating a serious fire or electrocution hazard. Use a trough with a chew-proof or steel-wrapped cord. For permanent installations, run the electrical line underground in the proper conduit. A licensed electrician can ensure your setup is safe, up to code, and ready to handle the rigors of a farm environment.
Ultimately, choosing a heated waterer is an investment in your time, your sanity, and your animals’ well-being. The initial cost might seem steep, but the first morning you wake up to a blizzard and know your horses have fresh, liquid water waiting for them, you’ll realize it’s one of the best investments you’ve ever made on the farm.
