Ensuring that your horses always have access to fresh, clean, temperate water is an essential part of being a horse owner/caretaker. You want to make decisions that are best for your horse and never want to do anything that could adversely impact their health. As such, you may wonder if automatic horse waterers, for all their supposed convenience, are even good for horses.

Here, we’ll discuss how horses naturally drink water, common problems that people run into with automatic horse waterers, and whether or not automatic horse waterers are even good for horses. Let’s get into it!

How Horses Naturally Drink Water

While it may seem counterintuitive to us humans who typically need to tilt our heads up in order to be able to drink, horses naturally drink water from the ground. In the wild, horses drink from streams, lakes, and other bodies of water. This is not uncomfortable for them; it’s just how they are.

So, when you have your water troughs or buckets out in the pasture or in the horses’ stalls on the ground, this is an easy way for them to drink – but it’s not easy for you to maintain. You need to lug new water out, check the status of the water for any algae and dirt, and be careful to ensure that the water buckets or troughs are full. In the winter, you may need to break ice in order for your horses to be able to drink. 

That’s all a lot of work, and if you don’t do it, your horses can get sick. Horses need gallons of water each day in order to survive and without that, they don’t live very long. As such, automatic horse waterers seem like the simple, easy solution for both your and your horses’ needs. There’s no more need for you to worry about whether or not your horses are getting enough water – or is there?

Common Issues With Automatic Horse Waterers

Automatic horse waterers can certainly make life easier for you and your horse by ensuring that your horse always has access to clean, fresh water whenever they like. However, there are some common issues with automatic horse waterers which cause people to question whether they are good for horses.

#1. Unnatural Drinking Position

Some automatic horse waterers are not designed in a way that is easy or natural for the horse to drink from. As previously mentioned, horses naturally drink from water sources on the ground. If a horse has to lift its head in order to drink, this isn’t as natural or comfortable.

#2. Dirty Water

Some automatic waterers keep water in the bowl. While this is great for horses that are struggling to learn how to use an automatic waterer, over time, standing water can lead to algae growth. It can also have many of the same issues as water in buckets or troughs by getting dirty, mosquitoes laying their eggs in it, and more. Dirty water poses many different health risks to horses.

#3. Breaking

Automatic horse waterers can break, like anything else. If your horse’s waterer stops working, this is something you may not realize right away, since you’re not going out and filling up their water. It’s crucial to always watch your horse for signs of dehydration.

#4. Electricity

Electric automatic waterers can shock your horse when your horse tries to drink from it, causing them to avoid the waterer and become dehydrated.

These are but a few of the common issues people can have with automatic waterers that make them wonder whether or not they’re good for horses. Bear in mind that automatic waterers can still make your horses’ care much easier than watering with buckets and troughs – especially if you use an automatic waterer that’s specifically designed for horses, like the Bar Bar A automatic horse waterer.

Automatic Horse Waterers Designed For Horses

Bar Bar A has seen all the common issues that people have had with automatic waterers and sought to create a solution. The 4th instance of the water shocking horses is actually what lead to the creation of the Bar Bar A automatic horse waterer.

We wanted an automatic waterer that’s good for horses and designed to be as efficient as possible. Our automatic waterers are low to the ground, so they’re natural for horses to drink from. They connect to your water line and the water comes up when horses push on the paddle and drains back d

own when they’re done, which ensures that your horses always have access to fresh, clean water, no matter the season.

Plus, our automatic waterers are non-electric, so there’s no need to worry about them shocking your horses. While our waterers are very sturdy, there’s no such thing as something that will never break. Should you experience issues with your waterer, our helpful team is always ready to help you resolve the problems however we can.

To learn more about our automatic horse waterers and how they’re good for horses, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

In our previous blog, Essential Tips For Taking Your Horse On A Trail Ride: Part 1, we talked about ensuring that your horse is fit enough for the trail you’re doing, working with your horse, and packing your bags properly. Head on over there to learn more about those points, then come back here for some more helpful trail riding tips to keep you and your horse safe out there.

That said, here are some more trail riding tips to ensure that everyone is prepared and to help reduce the risk of something happening away from the stables. Let’s get into it.

#1. Have At Least One Friend To Ride With

Safety in numbers, as they say. While you certainly can go on a trail ride with just your horse, should something happen, you don’t want to be stranded out there with no one to help. It’s always better to go on a trail ride in a group. The more of you there are, the less you have to worry about predators, and the more help people have should something happen. 

If you go on a trail ride alone, you risk something happen to you and/or your horse, being out of cell-service, and being truly stuck in a predicament. 

#2. Ensure That Your Horse Behaves In A Group

This is just common decency, but sometimes people need reminding. Since it’s safer to go on trail rides in groups, make sure that your horse can behave itself in a group. Some horses may not play well with others, which puts everyone’s safety at risk. 

If your horse doesn’t play well with others or doesn’t have much experience being ridden around other horses, make sure that you practice before you go on a trail ride. Only hit the trails when your horse can behave in a group. 

#3. Know The Territory And Check The Weather

The last thing you want is to be caught in a horrible storm while you’re out in the middle of nowhere, especially not if there is treacherous terrain. Before you go on a trail, make sure that you check the weather and you know what the terrain is like. Stick to trails that are appropriate for you and your horse’s level. 

Different trails vary in difficulty, the same as different hiking trails vary in difficulty. Don’t overestimate your ability. Pick something appropriate for everyone in your group so that you all can have the best experience possible. 

#4. Know Trail Etiquette

Trail etiquette involves keeping at least a horse’s length between your horse and the horse in front of you. You shouldn’t trot or gallop past another rider. You shouldn’t leave a water source until all the horses have gotten their fill. You must ensure that you have complete control of your horse prior to even loading your horse up in the trailer for the ride. 

You must also know who has the right of way. Typically, livestock (aka, you and your horse) do, but don’t assume that everyone on the trails will know this. If someone, like a hiker or a biker, yields the right of way to you and your horse, make sure that you exercise common human decency and thank them. 

#5. Understand The Reason For Horse Behaviors

Some people say that horses are being “bad” when they act up. It’s important to remember that when horses act up, there’s usually a valid reason behind their behavior. They’re not trying to be “naughty” or to hurt you. This is important to remember all the time, but especially when you’re out on the trails.

If your horse starts acting up, pay attention. They have sharper senses than you do. There may be something putting them on edge. If all the horses in the group are upset or your horse won’t calm down, listen to them and turn around. As the age-old saying goes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

Safe Trail Riding Necessitates Healthy, Hydrated Horses

Bar Bar A is here to ensure that whether you’re prepping for a trail ride while at the barn or whether you just got back, your horse has easy access to fresh, clean, temperate water all year round with our automatic horse waterers. Contact us today to learn more about our horse waterers, or any of the other waterers we have available, such as llama waterers, hog waterers, and more.

Summer is the perfect time to take your horse on a trail ride. The days are long, it’s all green and beautiful outside, and you’ve probably been working your horse again. However, taking your horse on a trail ride isn’t something you can just up and go do. It’s something that requires preparation. The last thing you want is to get into a situation out on the trails because you weren’t prepared.

Here’s what you need to know about some helpful tips for taking your horse on a trail ride. Stay safe out there!

#1. Ensure Your Horse Is Fit Enough

Since most people just walk their horses on trail rides, you may assume that there’s no need for any sort of conditioning. However, this is not the case. There’s a difference between horses walking around flat arenas, round pens, and pastures versus walking on a trail with varying inclines and terrains. 

Trail riding is the equivalent of hiking for your horse, and just like hiking for humans, different trails have different difficulty levels and horses need to be fit enough to safely go on the trail ride. If your horse gets tired and decides that they’re done while you’re out in the middle of nowhere, you’re stuck. 

Get your horse used to working again before you take them on a trail ride. If your barn has inclines or hills in an outdoor arena or something, work your horse on them. You want to take a physically fit horse on a trail ride, not a pasture pet that you ride once in a blue moon.

#2. Work With Your Horse

When you’re riding in an arena, you generally want your horse to listen to you. However, when you’re out on the trails, work with your horse. There may be times when you need to give your horse its head and focus on just sitting balanced while your horse figures out the best route for you both. Your horse will be able to sort out its footing and keep you both safer if you work together.

Similarly, while you ride in an arena, you typically want to sit upright. But if you’re going up and down hills, this can change, as you want to keep your horse balanced. If you’re going up a hill, lean forward. If you’re going down a hill, lean back. Depending on how steep the incline is, you may end up leaning very far in one direction or the other – this is ok. You want to stay balanced while also making it as easy as possible for your horse.

If you’re crossing water, this is another instance where you’ll likely need to give your horse its head. In some cases, water can make horses and riders dizzy, in which case, it may be easier to get off and lead your horse across. 

#3. Pack Your Bags

No one wants something to happen on the trails, but as the age-old saying goes: better safe than sorry. Pack your saddle bags so that you’re prepared for anything that might happen. Snacks and water are no-brainers, but you also want to pack a first aid kit in case something happens to you or your horse out where there are no doctors or vets. You also want extra reins and a girth, in case any tack breaks.

You never want to tie your horse with a bit in their mouth, because if they pull against it, this can hurt them. As such, bring a halter and lead rope. You also want bug spray, for you and your horse. A jacket or poncho are a good idea in case of inclement weather. Plus, some grooming materials. 

Of course, you want to bring your phone, but this isn’t something that you want to pack in your bags. In case your horse runs off, you don’t want to be stranded without a phone. Keep it on your person at all times – you also don’t want to set it down and then your horse accidentally steps on it or something. 

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that you only need to pack such things if you’re going on an endurance ride or something. You never know what you may need on the trail.

Ensure Your Horse Is Hydrated Before And After

These are just three of the things that you can do in order to strive for a safe trail riding experience. Watch this space, as our next blog will have further tips for safe trail riding. Before you go on a ride and after, make sure that your horse is hydrated.

Bar Bar A makes it easy to keep your horse hydrated with our automatic horse waterers. They connect right to your water lines so that regardless of the time of year, your horse always has easy access to fresh, temperate water. 

Contact us today to learn more about our automatic waterers.