6 Best Stall Waterers For Horses That Play With Water That Keep Bedding Dry
For horses that splash, the right waterer is key. We review 6 top-rated models specifically designed to minimize mess and keep stall bedding dry.
Some horses see a bucket of water as a personal invitation to create a swimming pool in their stall. You fill it, they dunk their hay, paw at it, or blow bubbles until half the water is sloshing through their clean shavings. This isn’t just a quirky habit; it’s a direct drain on your time, your wallet, and your horse’s hoof health.
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Solving Soaked Stalls: Waterers for Players
A horse that plays in its water is making a mess, but the real problem is the consequence: perpetually wet bedding. This environment is a breeding ground for thrush and other bacteria. It also means you’re throwing out expensive, barely-used shavings every single day.
The solution isn’t trying to train the behavior out of the horse—good luck with that. The solution is to change the equipment. Automatic waterers designed for "players" remove the temptation by eliminating the large, open pool of water that a bucket provides.
These systems work by either offering a very small reservoir of water or by requiring the horse to activate the water flow on demand. By doing so, you take away the "toy." You’re not just giving them a drink; you’re fundamentally changing the game so they can’t make a mess in the first place.
Nelson 730 Waterer: A Durable, Play-Proof Classic
Keep your pets hydrated with the Nelson automatic waterer. Made of rust-proof stainless steel, it easily connects to a garden hose for a continuous fresh water supply.
When you talk about bomb-proof barn equipment, Nelson waterers are always in the conversation. The Model 730 is built from stainless steel and aluminum, meaning it can withstand kicks, bites, and general abuse from even the toughest horses. It’s a true buy-it-for-life piece of hardware.
The magic of the Nelson for a water-player is its design. The horse must press its nose on a small paddle at the bottom of the bowl to make it fill. The bowl itself is small and rounded, offering no flat surfaces to splash or large volume to play in. Once the horse stops pressing the paddle, the water stops, and any remaining water can be easily drained for cleaning.
The main tradeoff here is cost. Nelson waterers are a significant upfront investment, and they require both a water line and an electrical hookup for the heating element that keeps them from freezing. However, for a horse that consistently destroys a stall’s worth of bedding, the savings in shavings and labor can make the investment pay for itself over a few years. This is a permanent solution, not a temporary fix.
Bar-Bar-A Drinker: No Standing Water to Splash
The Bar-Bar-A Drinker offers a unique and brilliant solution: it eliminates standing water entirely. This is a non-electric waterer that uses geothermal heat from a line buried below the frost line to stay ice-free. It’s an ingenious design for off-grid barns or for owners who are wary of mixing electricity and water.
Here’s how it works: the horse learns to push a paddle with its nose. This lifts a plunger, allowing water to flow up from the underground pipe and pool in a very small bowl. As soon as the horse walks away and releases the paddle, all the water in the bowl and the vertical pipe drains back below ground. There is nothing left to splash, dunk, or freeze.
The learning curve is the biggest consideration. Some horses pick it up in minutes, while others may take a few days of encouragement to understand the push-for-water concept. But once they learn, it is arguably the most effective design for preventing water play. It’s a fantastic, low-maintenance option for a self-sufficient setup.
Ritchie StallFount 125: Reliable and Easy to Clean
Ritchie is a workhorse brand in the world of livestock waterers, and the StallFount 125 is a perfect example of their practical, durable design. It strikes a great balance between functionality and cost, making it one of the most common automatic waterers you’ll see in hobby farm barns. It’s available in stainless steel or a heavy-duty polyethylene, both of which stand up well to daily use.
Unlike a paddle-activated system, the StallFount uses a float valve to keep a small reservoir of water available at all times. While there is standing water, the bowl is typically small and deep enough to discourage a horse from easily splashing it out. It’s a major improvement over a 20-litre bucket.
Automatically maintain water levels in tanks, ponds, and more with this durable, corrosion-resistant ABS float valve kit. Features a 1/2" NPT male connection for easy, leak-free installation and includes a bonus female connector.
One of the best features of many Ritchie models is their ease of cleaning. They often include a simple drain plug or a design that allows the entire unit to be tipped or unplugged for a quick scrub. For a busy hobby farmer, not having to fight with a waterer just to clean it is a huge quality-of-life improvement.
Lixit L-70 Valve: The Ultimate No-Splash Solution
For the most determined, professional-level water player, sometimes you have to remove the bowl from the equation entirely. The Lixit L-70 and similar "nipple" waterers do just that. This is less of a waterer and more of a valve that the horse activates with its mouth.
The horse simply nudges or licks the metal valve, and a controlled stream of water flows directly into its mouth. There is no bowl, no puddle, and zero opportunity for splashing, dunking, or any other games. It is the most foolproof way to keep a stall bone dry.
This solution comes with serious considerations. Training is not optional; it’s essential. Some horses never quite get the hang of it, which can lead to dehydration. There’s also an ongoing debate about whether horses can drink as deeply or as quickly as they’d like from a valve. This is a powerful tool for a problem horse, but you must be committed to monitoring your horse’s water intake carefully, especially during the transition.
Hoskins H2P Thermal Waterer for Tough Horses
The Hoskins H2P is another excellent non-electric option designed with both cold climates and tough horses in mind. It operates on a similar principle to other thermal waterers, using ground heat to keep the valve from freezing. The "H2P" stands for "Horse 2 Paws," a nod to its simple, paw-activated paddle.
This waterer is built like a tank, often with a heavy-duty steel or polymer housing that can take a beating. The horse pushes a large paddle, which fills a small bowl. The limited water volume and the effort required to fill it are strong deterrents against casual splashing. When the horse is done, the water drains away, leaving nothing behind.
The Hoskins is a great choice for paddocks or barns without easy access to electricity. It provides the reliability of an automatic system without the associated wiring or energy costs. It’s a rugged, practical solution for someone who needs a system that just works, season after season, without much fuss.
Behlen Country AHW80: Heated Option for All Seasons
The Behlen Country AHW80 represents a solid, dependable, and heated choice that won’t break the bank. It’s a common-sense waterer for hobby farmers in four-season climates who need to prevent freezing but don’t need the premium features (or price tag) of a top-tier brand.
This unit is a simple, float-operated waterer with an 80-watt heater and thermostat that kicks on when temperatures drop. The bowl is made of a durable polymer and is designed to hold just enough water for a satisfying drink without being an open invitation to play. It’s the logical next step up from a heated water bucket, which is often a prime target for a playful horse to unplug or splash empty.
Think of the Behlen as the reliable pickup truck of waterers. It’s not fancy, but it’s effective, easy to install, and gets the job done. For the price, it provides excellent value and solves two problems at once: freezing water and a perpetually soaked stall.
Installation Tips to Maximize Stall Dryness
Choosing the right waterer is only half the battle. Where and how you install it can make a huge difference in keeping bedding dry, even with minor drips or the most determined horse.
First, think about placement. Install the waterer in a front corner of the stall, away from where the horse typically sleeps or dungs. This keeps any potential moisture contained in one, low-traffic area. Avoid placing it where a horse might be tempted to stand over it while eating hay, as this encourages dunking.
Second, create a dedicated drainage zone directly underneath the waterer. You can do this by cutting out a small section of your stall mats and creating a 2×2 foot gravel pit that allows water to drain down through the stall base. A simpler option is to place a heavy, grooved rubber mat directly under the unit to catch and channel away any drips before they reach the shavings.
Finally, make checking the fittings a regular part of your barn chores. A very slow leak from a water line connection can saturate a stall just as effectively as a playful horse. Once a week, run a dry hand over all the plumbing to check for moisture. Preventative maintenance is always less work than mucking a flooded stall.
Ultimately, defeating a water-playing horse is about removing the opportunity. The best waterer is one that fits your climate, your budget, and your horse’s personality. Making the switch from a bucket to a smart waterer saves you time, money on bedding, and promotes a healthier environment for your horse.
