6 Best Horse Water Troughs For Small Acreage Farms Old-Timers Swear By
Explore the 6 best horse water troughs for small farms. This guide covers the durable, reliable, and time-tested options that seasoned ranchers recommend.
There’s nothing that’ll ruin a peaceful morning faster than finding a busted water trough and a thirsty herd. On a small farm, your water source is everything, and the container holding it is just as critical. The right trough saves you time, prevents vet bills, and gives you peace of mind that your horses have clean, accessible water 24/7.
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A Good Trough: The Heart of a Healthy Pasture
A water trough isn’t just a big bucket. It’s a critical piece of infrastructure that directly impacts your animals’ health and your daily workload. A poorly chosen trough can mean constant scrubbing, winter ice-breaking marathons, or worse, a cracked tub that drains your pasture into a muddy bog.
The best troughs are safe, durable, and easy to clean. Safety comes first: look for rounded edges and a sturdy build that won’t collapse or tip if a horse leans on it. Durability means it can withstand a kick, a freezing winter, and the relentless summer sun without becoming brittle.
Ease of cleaning is the factor you’ll appreciate every single week. A smooth interior surface and, ideally, a drain plug make the difference between a ten-minute scrub and a half-hour wrestling match. The material—plastic, rubber, or metal—plays a huge role in all three of these factors, and each has its die-hard fans for good reason.
Rubbermaid Stock Tank: The All-Around Classic
If you see a black plastic stock tank on a farm, odds are it’s a Rubbermaid. These things are everywhere because they just plain work. Made from a structural foam polyethylene, they hit the sweet spot of being tough but not ridiculously heavy.
Their biggest advantage is their resilience. They resist rust and corrosion, and they have enough give to handle freezing water without splitting wide open. The plastic is also forgiving; there are no sharp edges to worry about, which is a major plus for horses who like to play or get pushy around the water source.
Of course, they aren’t perfect. A truly determined horse can chew the top edge, and the dark plastic seems to grow algae faster in direct sun. But for the price and overall reliability, it’s the go-to choice for a reason. Always get the model with a drain plug—it’s a non-negotiable feature for easy cleaning.
Behlen Galvanized Tank: Timeless Durability
The galvanized steel tank is the old-timer’s icon. These are the tanks you see in classic farm photos, and many of those original troughs are probably still holding water somewhere. They represent a "buy it once" philosophy that’s hard to argue with.
Their strength is legendary. You can’t crack one by dropping it, and a horse’s kick will barely leave a dent. The heavy-duty galvanized coating prevents rust for years, and they stand up to abuse from tractors, weather, and anything else you can throw at them. They also tend to keep water a bit cooler in the summer sun compared to black plastic.
The tradeoff is weight and rust potential. These tanks are heavy and a real chore to move for pasture rotation. And while the galvanizing is tough, a deep scratch can expose the steel underneath, eventually leading to a rust spot. They are an investment in permanence, best for a set location where you won’t need to move it often.
Tuff Stuff Tank: Unbeatable Flexibility & Strength
Tuff Stuff tanks look a lot like other plastic tanks, but they have a reputation for being nearly indestructible. They are made from a low-density polyethylene that gives them incredible flexibility. You can practically fold one in half, and it will pop right back into shape.
This flexibility is their superpower. It makes them exceptionally resistant to cracking from impact or freezing. If a horse spooks and crashes into it, the tank gives instead of shattering. They are also lightweight, making them perfect for moving between paddocks or taking to a weekend show.
The main consideration is that their flexibility can also be a minor drawback. They don’t have the rigid structure of a Rubbermaid or a steel tank, which can make them feel a bit flimsy when full, especially in the larger sizes. However, for a portable, bombproof option, they are very hard to beat.
High Country Plastics Trough: Easy-Drain Option
Cleaning the trough is a universal chore that no one enjoys. High Country Plastics built their reputation around solving this one problem better than anyone else. Their standout feature is a large, screw-in drain plug that makes emptying the tank fast and effortless.
Instead of wrestling to tip a heavy, half-full trough, you just unscrew the plug and let gravity do the work. This makes a weekly scrub-down a much quicker and cleaner job. The troughs themselves are made from a durable, food-grade poly that holds up well to sun and abuse.
The convenience comes at a slightly higher price point than a basic stock tank. The drain plug is also another moving part that could, in theory, get lost or have its threads damaged over time. But for anyone who dreads trough cleaning day, the time saved is easily worth the extra cost.
Little Giant Automatic Waterer: Set It & Forget It
For those looking to escape the chore of filling tanks altogether, an automatic waterer is the answer. The Little Giant Trough-O-Matic is a classic, reliable float valve that you can install in almost any stock tank. It connects to a standard garden hose and keeps the water level perfectly consistent.
The primary benefit is obvious: a constant supply of fresh water without any manual labor. This is a game-changer for daily chores and provides incredible peace of mind if you have to be away from the farm for a day. It also reduces water waste from overflow and helps prevent the muddy mess that often surrounds a trough.
The downside is the reliance on plumbing. A hose can freeze in the winter, and the float valve itself can get stuck or fail, so you still need to check it daily. It’s not a truly "forget it" system, but it transforms a daily chore into a quick daily inspection.
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Miraco Lil’Spring: The Insulated Winter Choice
Winter is the ultimate test of any watering system. Breaking ice with an axe in the freezing dark gets old fast. The Miraco Lil’Spring is a purpose-built, insulated automatic waterer designed to solve the winter water problem once and for all.
These units are heavily insulated and use the ground’s geothermal heat to help prevent freezing. The water is enclosed, staying cleaner and reducing heat loss. For very cold climates, they can be equipped with a small, energy-efficient electric heater. They provide reliable, ice-free water even in the harshest conditions.
This level of convenience and engineering comes at a significant cost. Miraco waterers are an investment and require permanent installation with underground water lines. They aren’t a portable solution, but for a permanent pasture or paddock, they eliminate the single biggest headache of winter horse care.
Trough Placement and Cleaning Best Practices
Where you put your trough is just as important as which one you buy. Place it on high, level ground to keep it from turning into a mud pit. Avoid putting it in a corner where a dominant horse could trap a more submissive one.
A regular cleaning schedule is non-negotiable for horse health. A full dump and scrub should happen at least once a week in the summer, and maybe every other week in the cool of winter. Use a stiff-bristled brush to remove the slippery biofilm and algae from all surfaces. A splash of apple cider vinegar can help, but avoid harsh chemical cleaners.
Most importantly, lay eyes on your water source every single day. A quick check for dead critters, debris, or a sudden algae bloom can prevent a health issue before it starts. This daily habit is the cornerstone of responsible animal husbandry.
Ultimately, the best water trough is the one that reliably provides clean water for your horses with a level of maintenance you can realistically handle. Whether it’s a classic steel tank that will outlast you or an automatic waterer that frees up your mornings, choosing the right one is an investment in your farm’s health and your own sanity. Don’t skimp here; it’s the most important piece of equipment in the pasture.
