Did you know that horses generally consume 5 to 10 gallons of water a day? Animals need to stay hydrated, but it is even more of a necessity in horses. This is where automatic horse waterers come in handy.
Undoubtedly, your equine is likely to get excessively thirsty and parched during hot weather and long rides. However, fulfilling its need to stay hydrated might seem daunting when you think about the countless number of water buckets it will require each day.
Worry no more! You can now make use of automatic waterers for horses to serve the purpose conveniently and efficiently! The machine can store several gallons of water, which is sufficient to quench your equine’s thirst throughout the day.
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Best Automatic Horse Waterers on the Market
To help you shortlist from the huge variety of automatic waterers for horses available today, we have carefully created this guide consisting of ten of the most efficient ones.
In a hurry? These are our top three picks for automatic horse waterers:
- Best overall: Classic Equine EZ Fount
- Runner up: H20 Animal Hydration Flow Automatic Waterer
- Best on a budget: Little Giant Automatic Animal Waterer (Red)
Looking for detailed reviews? Here’s our detailed list of the best automatic horse waterers:
1. Classic Equine EZ Fount
This one is a deep trough with extremely durable polyethylene construction, that is excellent for pastures and barns. All it requires is a garden hose for easy setup. The smooth rounded edges of the automatic horse waterer ensure protection from injuries for horses and other animals. Once filled with sand, it is quite stable, and horses cannot knock it over. Furthermore, it can be easily relocated.
Pros
- Rust and dent-proof construction
- Refills efficiently
- Easy setup
Cons
- Does not come with an insulated tank or heating system.
- Water can get warm in summers.
2. H20 Animal Hydration Flow Automatic Waterer
This automatic horse waterer is the largest of its kind. It can be conveniently attached to any garden hose and is constructed with heavy duty stainless steel and comes with a polypropylene cover.
It also comes attached with a mechanical float valve which increases its safety and reliability. The most attractive feature has to be the removable bowl which makes for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Easy to use and install
- Excellent capacity
- Refills immediately because of mechanical float valve
Cons
- May dent easily
- Water heats up in summer
- Not very easy to detach
3. Little Giant Automatic Animal Waterer (Red)
With a four-gallon water capacity, the Little Giant Automatic Animal Waterer has a float-controlled system. That way it refills automatically depending upon the levels of the water tank.
Its easily hooked up with a ¾ inch garden hose and comes with brackets for easy installation any where around the stall. Also, the rounded design of this product makes it safe to use around horses and other livestock.
Pros
- Great water capacity
- Easy assembly and installation
- Durable
Cons
- Does not include a drain valve
- Can be difficult to clean
4. Automatic Farm Grade Stainless Stock Waterer
The Automatic Farm Grade Stainless Stock Waterer has compatibility with a garden hose, and flex pipes. Built entirely with metal, this automatic horse waterer is completely composed of stainless steel, is rust-proof and heavy-duty.
The product includes twin bolt inlays that make installation a real breeze. The solid structure ensures that the trough is weather-resistant and safe from energetic horses.
Best of all, the waterer comes with an adjustable float. One can always expect a fresh supply of water for their horses.
Pros
- Easy to mount
- Exceptionally durable
- Movable channel can be used on either side of the trough
Cons
- Does not have a drain
- Does not come with fittings
5. H2O Animal Hydration Aqua Buddy
This automatic horse waterer promises a strong build as it is made with durable polypropylene. It also allows for a continuous water supply with its great capacity and automatic refilling feature.
It is compatible with garden hoses, moreover, the bowl can be detached for easy cleaning.
Pros
- Comes with a float valve that helps maintain water levels
- Great capacity
- Sun-resistant
- Sturdy
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Water can heat up in summers if not installed in a shaded area.
6. Automatic Water Feeder Trough Bowl with Pipe for Cattle
Like the other horse waterers this one too, is automatic and comes with a floater system. The design of this automatic horse waterer is simple and basic. It is made with corrosion and rust-resistant heavy gauge stainless steel. The polished, rounded edges ensure that horses and livestock remain safe from injuries around it. It is also equipped with a half-inch pipe.
Pros
- Efficient floater system ensures fresh supply of water.
- Heavy-duty material
Cons
- Does not come with installation equipment.
- Pipe does not attach to a normal hose.
7. Little Giant 88ESW Automatic Waterer
This automatic horse waterer is conveniently hooked up to a standard ½-inch wide pipe or garden hose. Being epoxy-coated makes it rust-free and sturdy. The auto-filling feature is reliable, which means horse owners do not have to worry about filling, or refilling, it.
Moreover, the Little Giant Automatic Waterer in black is easy to clean simply using soap and sponge. It is easy to use and does not require any training.
Pros
- Can be easily installed
- Durable
- Easy refill
Cons
- A bit shallow for horses to drink from
- Hose connectors are likely to leak
- Doesn’t come with mounting equipment.
- Adapter not provided
8. Flagline Miller Automatic Stock Waterer
A truly tough automatic horse waterer, the Flagline Miller is made entirely with metal and does not have any plastic parts. It is sturdy and has a bulky design that does not allow animals to tip it over. It connects easily to any garden hose or pipe. Besides, the best thing about this waterer is that you can fix it at any height using U jolts or slack jolts.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Easily connects with hose pipes
- Made with premium quality material
Cons
- Can rust after a few months use
- Needs an adapter because of its “male” end
- The rubber washer wears out easily
9. Behlen Country AHW60 Insulated Horse Waterer (With Heat)
The Behlen Country is an impressive automatic waterer that is durable and frost-proof. On the coldest days also, it ensures clean and smooth provision of water without having to break the ice. Hence, this waterer is a hassle-free solution for horse owners.
Moreover, it features built-in hold downs, and removable drain plugs making it easy to use and maintain. In a nutshell, it can be said that this is a one-piece waterer that does not require assembly and is easy to install.
Pros
- Can be used in temperatures as low as -20F
- Double insulation removes all possibilities of shock
- Weather-resistant
- Easy-clean
Cons
- Valves may leak right on to the electric box
10. Large Automatic Waterer for Horses
The Large Automatic Waterer for Horses by Rabbit Nipples is constructed with best quality nylon, which makes it weather-resistant.
It can be mounted with ease at any height, and from either side.
Being equipped with an adjustable float, there is always a fresh supply of water for horses. It works well with any standard hose, and has a drain plug which makes it easy-clean, as well. The capacity is also great at 4 liters.
Pros
- Can be mounted easily on fences, or walls
- Built with durable material
- Easy-clean
Cons
- Does not come with bolts and lags
- Horses could ruin the plastic structure
Here’s Why Automatic Waterers for Horses Are Great
It is natural to feel reluctant about investing a good amount of money on a giant automatic waterer without knowing how your horse will respond to it. However, it is definitely going to make your life easier as a horse owner.
Let’s have a look at how automatic waterers for horses can benefit you:
Reduces Horse Grooming Time
Since automatic waterers for horses simply need to be connected to a hose to keep the water level maintained for the horse, it is effective for horse grooming too. In fact, you can save a lot of time while grooming your horse as the need to refill the bucket to bathe the equine will be eliminated with the use of the waterer.
Avoid Water Wastage
A horse waterer can also help you reduce water wastage, which is especially useful if you are absentminded. No more regrets about forgetting to switch the water hose off. The automatic system of the horse waterer efficiently prevents water wastage. Moreover, the machine also helps in keeping the water fresh and palatable, which means you don’t have to dump countless gallons out for a refill.
No More Lugging Heavy Hoses
Gone are the days when it was vital for you to lug a heavy hose towards your horse’s water bucket to fill it with fresh water, multiple times a day. Automatic water feeders for horses have now made every equine owner’s life much easier with their existence.
No More Carrying Heavy Water Buckets
Tired of filling buckets of water for your animal time and again every single day? Horses are likely to drink around 5 to 10 gallons of water per day, which is a lot when you need to make sure that their buckets are always full of palatable water. However, with automatic horse waterers, this task no longer seems to be a hassle.
Cleaner Water
Automatic waterers for your horse are a convenient way of ensuring that fresh drinking water is always available for the equine. Furthermore, the flowing water minimizes all chances of the development of bacteria and algae. Hence, your horse will always have to clean, fresh water for consumption.
How to Buy an Automatic Horse Waterer
Once you have decided to invest in an automatic horse waterer for pasture, consider the following factors before your final purchase. This will facilitate you in ensuring the best pick to provide your equine with a constant supply of fresh water.
Material
The durability of a horse waterer is essential in determining how long it can last. Surely, you wouldn’t want to spend a good amount of money on a machine that needs to be replaced within a few months of usage. Moreover, horses are pretty strong and rough, and are likely to damage a non-durable automatic waterer while playing around. Hence, it is important to select accordingly.
Automatic horse waterers for stall are available in plastic and metal. While plastic waterers are more affordable, they are also more prone to damage. Whereas, metal waterers cost higher but are worth the money due to their efficiency and durability.
Size
Make sure that the automatic waterer you buy is big enough to store sufficient water for your horse/s. This depends on how many equines you have. For instance, one horse would not need too big of a water tank to quench its thirst from. However, if multiple horses are going to be drinking from the same place, then a giant automatic waterer will be more feasible.
Round Edge
Your aim should not be just to provide your horse with clean water to drink, but also to make sure that the automatic horse waterer you are buying is safe for them. What this means is that automatic waterers with rough edges are likely to end up irritating or bruising the animal when it walks around to have a drink. To prevent this, it is best to look for rounded, smooth edged waterers when selecting an automatic horse stall waterer.
Heated vs Non-heated
When browsing over the variety of options available in automatic waterers for horses, you are likely to come across both heated and non-heated varieties. Understandably, for someone who resides in areas that remain cold most of the year, a heated horse waterer, or one that offers food insulation, will be a more preferable choice.
Getting a non-heated waterer in such a case will only result in ice cold water for your horse to consume, or perhaps nothing to drink at all due to the water freezing.
Ease of Maintenance
The sole purpose of an automatic waterer is to provide your horse with a constant supply of clean water for consumption. However, it should also be convenient for you in terms of maintenance and cleanliness. If not, then the task is going to leave you exhausted at the end of the day. Hence, just like an automatic waterer for horses reduces water wastage, it should also minimize the efforts required in cleaning and maintaining it.
FAQs Related to Automatic Horse Waterers
There might still be several questions floating in your mind regarding the necessity and importance of automatic horse waterers, especially if you are out to purchase it for the first time. Let’s make the process simpler for you by answering them one by one.
What is the best automatic horse waterer?
The Behlen Country AHW60 Insulated Horse Waterer, Classic Equine EZ Fount, and the Little Giant Automatic Animal Waterer can easily be classified among the best from the lot.
Know that the most efficient automatic horse waterers are made from durable materials such as metal, and come equipped with an insulated bowl.
Can horses drink dirty water?
Horses most often refuse to drink water that is extremely dirty or has a foul smell. The animal has a proficient sense of taste and smell and is very likely to stay thirsty to the point of dehydration if you present it with polluted or unpalatable water.
While a horse can drink water that is slightly dirty, it is best to clean its water trough regularly to prevent algae, dirt, and old hay from accumulating.
How do you put an automatic waterer in a horse?
To help your horse familiarize with an automatic waterer for livestock, you can start with rubbing some water lightly on its nose and move away. Being curious creatures, the animal is bound to discover the purpose of the drinker pretty soon.
Just in case this doesn’t work out, you can try increasing your horse’s salt intake by adding it as a top layer on grains and commercial feed once or twice a day. An increase in salt consumption is likely to boost thirst level, as well. A thirsty horse will definitely figure out the use of the queer water bowl placed in front of it.
How do you clean an automatic horse waterer?
First, remove the chamber cover of the top valve before moving on to scoop out debris from the hollow of the water seal at the top of chamber. At the end, unplug the drain of the water tank to clear out the dirty water. Once done, you can enable the waterer to restore its function of automatic fill-up.
How does an automatic waterer work?
Automatic waters are designed specifically to conserve energy through the insulated base of water tank which aids in filling up the bowl with fresh water from a pressurized line constantly.
Some automatic waterers function by draining water from the bowl into an underground reservoir and then pumping back fresh water as required. The water level is controlled by a float-operated valve which means you will never have to face water wastage again.
Are automatic horse waterers safe?
Most of the automatic horse waterers you will find today have smooth, rounded edges, making them absolutely safe for the animals to move around before a drink. Moreover, a durable, stainless steel body will prevent the water tank from rusting with time, hence, the water will never be contaminated.
Do waterers freeze up?
Automatic waterers are prone to freeze in cold climates, depriving your horse from drinking water altogether. To make sure you don’t have to face this inconvenience, get your hands on the best heated automatic horse waterer in order to treat your equine to warm, fresh water even in extreme weather conditions.
Can you put bleach in horse water?
You can certainly put a small amount of bleach in the drinking water for horses. This will help in disinfecting the water and prevent algae formation, as well. However, to be on the safe side, wait at least one hour before letting your horse to drink the bleached water.
How long does a good waterer last?
A durable, well maintained automatic horse waterer is likely to last you for several years. However, the longevity of the tool also depends on how frequently you use it and how rough the usage is.
Can one waterer supply enough for multiple horses?
One waterer will not be enough for multiple horses since an average horse requires 5 to 10 gallons of drinking water each day. Also different kinds of horses often tend to fluctuate in their water cravings. Since it is not necessary that all equines have the same level of water intake, one waterer might not be sufficient for multiple horses. However, this also depends on how big or small the automatic waterer is.
Conclusion
On average, horses drink around 5 to 10 gallons of everyday to stay hydrated, which means you will need to ensure a constant supply of fresh water for them. However, lugging a heavy bucket of clean water every couple of hours can be quite a cumbersome task, unless you install an efficient feeding accessory like an automatic waterer for horses.
These machines start filling up automatically once the water drops to a certain level.
All in all, automatic horse waterer for pasture is a very common and useful tool in farms due to its convenience as well as efficiency. So what are you waiting for? Make your pick from our top 10 listings right now!
