Finding the superior solution for your horses’ water needs can be difficult. There are many options out there, each of which has their own pros and cons. Fortunately, Bar-Bar-A is capable of providing an excellent automatic waterer to meet the needs of your livestock. These waterers don’t use electricity, but still provide many of the same benefits that electrical waterers do. These systems ensure that fresh, clean water is always available to your livestock, which can help to prevent a multitude of problems. There are many problems that come with electrical waters, so it is important to implement the best solution to protect the health of your livestock.

Water and Electricity

There is a reason that most electrical products caution you to keep the product away from pools of water. Water is a proficient conductor of electricity. When water is exposed to electrical components, it can allow the electrical current to flow throughout it, which is dangerous for anyone that may come into contact with the water. This can cause electrical shocks to your animals whenever they attempt to drink water. These unpleasant experiences can cause your animals to avoid drinking water altogether, which can lead to even further problems. Dehydration is incredibly dangerous for livestock. Even small amounts of water can lead to incredible amounts of damage. Water and electricity in combination can be incredibly dangerous. It is best to avoid using these things in combination with each other.  

Winter Water Considerations

It is unsurprising that livestock are averse to drinking freezing water when the weather outside is cold. In the winter months, they will avoid cool water and will likely prefer room temperature or lukewarm water. In order to meet the water needs of livestock, many people turn to heated buckets. These also help to prevent the water from freezing, which will completely prevent access to the water. However, heating elements often involve electricity. This is true with heated water buckets. If the heating elements sustain damage, they may cause electricity to flow through the water, which will shock animals when they drink the water. This can even occur after the bucket has sustained significant amounts of use.

Our automatic waterer uses water that is located under the surface of the earth. This helps to provide warmer water in the winter and cooler water in the summer, ensuring that the water is always at a temperature that will be appealing to animals. This helps to ensure that animals are likely to maintain adequate hydration, no matter what the temperatures are like outside.

Benefits of Electricity-Free Solutions

Water solutions that use electricity will need to obtain the electricity from somewhere. This will add significantly to your energy bill. When you obtain an electricity-free solution, you will reduce your energy expenses, because electricity won’t be required in order for the waterer to function as intended. Electric waterers can also lead to injury to your livestock, as well as yourself.

When you suspect that there may be an electrical current running through the water, you should never stick your hand in the water to double check. Use a voltmeter to detect any existing electricity in the water. Preventing this damage can be effectively accomplished by using an electricity-free waterer for your livestock’s hydrating needs. These systems can save you money on energy expenses, as well as protect the health and comfort of your livestock. They can minimize the problems and damage that electricity can cause, especially when it is combined with water.

Issues with Standing Water

It is true that water solutions such as troughs generally don’t use electricity. Unfortunately, there can be many additional issues when water is allowed to stand outside. Standing water can easily be contaminated. Common culprits of contamination include bird feces, drowned rodents, and many other possible things. Mold and mildew can form easily in standing water, which can be incredibly hazardous to the health of your livestock. Standing water is also one of the leading things that attract pests, which can be disastrous for your property. In fact, many studies have shown that the likelihood of livestock obtaining West Nile Virus is increased when standing water is present on the property. Most experts agree that a water source needs to have moving water in order to be safe for animal consumption.  

Dangers of Dehydration

Dehydration is incredibly dangerous for livestock. Horses can suffer from deadly consequences within a few days without water. Dehydration can cause colic, which is incredibly serious. Ensuring that your livestock has fresh, clean water is one of the most important aspects of protecting the health of your livestock. Water is incredibly important for horses. They require substantial amounts of water in order to remain in good health. When a waterer results in electrical shocks to an animal, it will cause them to avoid drinking water. This can lead to dehydration in livestock and serious health concerns.

The Superior Water Solution

Due to the dangers of electricity and standing water, it is important to obtain a water solution that doesn’t include either of these components. Our automatic waterer uses a mechanical solution in order to provide livestock with access to fresh, clean water without requiring electricity. This ensures that your livestock will have access to water that stays at a comfortable temperature throughout the year, which will ensure that the water remains appealing to them, no matter what the weather is outside. Livestock can quickly be taught how to obtain water from this automatic waterer whenever they need to.

Here at Bar-Bar-A, we offer multiple solutions to meet the needs of you and your livestock. From horse waterers to waterers designed for sheep and goats, we have the appropriate waterer to meet all of your needs. This waterer is self-cleaning and requires very little maintenance to ensure that it operates effectively. To learn more about how our automatic waterer can protect the health of your livestock and ensure appropriate hydration, contact our experts today!

Colic can lead to disastrous results when it isn’t handled appropriately. Every horse owner should familiarize themselves with the signs of colic, as well as the superior actions to take to protect your horse. Colic prevention is another important component of horse ownership. There are many signs of colic in horses and there are multiple types of colic. Any horse is vulnerable to colic, as it doesn’t discriminate based on breed or age. Some horses may be more at risk than others, but it is important for every horse owner to understand the ins and outs of colic. In many situations, colic can be caused by relatively minor issues, like gas. However, in other cases, colic can be incredibly devastating and dangerous for horses. Fast action can help to protect your horse from serious illness. If you are ever concerned about an equine emergency, you should contact your vet immediately.

What is Colic?

Colic is extremely common and is one of the leading causes of death in horses. Ultimately, colic is an umbrella term that encompasses many conditions that cause pain in the abdomen of the horse. When a horse exhibits signs of colic, it is likely a reflection of the condition of their colon or gastrointestinal tract. Colic complications are often due to digestive issues. There are multiple types of colic and it can be difficult to determine what type your horse is experiencing. For example, some types of colic are caused by a buildup of gas while others occur due to impaction and the digestive system failing to function properly.

Due to the many different types of colic, it can be difficult to know when it is time to take action regarding your horse’s situation. A simple acronym, REACT, makes it easy to detect the signs of colic. R stands for restless or agitated. If your horse lies down and gets up frequently or otherwise acts restless, it may be experiencing colic. E stands for eating less. This includes aspects like loss of appetite or producing less manure than usual. A stands for abdominal pain, which can be detected by examining signs of pain. C stands for clinical changes. These changes can be detected by checking their vitals, such as pulse rate. T stands for tired or lethargic. If your horse is experiencing these symptoms, you should contact your vet immediately.

Colic Prevention

Taking steps to prevent colic can go a long way toward protecting your horse. It is especially important to ensure that your horse always has access to clean, fresh water. A horse that is without water for just two hours will be at increased risk for colic. A horse needs water in order to digest its food properly and dehydration can be incredibly dangerous for a horse. Providing good-quality feed for the horse can also help to prevent colic. Implementing a routine can significantly help to protect your horse from colic.

Whenever you need to make changes to the horse’s routine, whether it is exercise or food related, you should make the changes slowly and over time. Ensure that you cool your horse off after it has been exercised. Implement regular dental checks. A horse with dental problems may not chew their food completely, which can result in impaction. You may want to consider providing smaller feedings, multiple times a day to prevent them from eating too much at one time. It is similarly important to implement a parasite control program for your horse, as colic is often caused by the presence of parasites. Taking the steps to minimize stress in your horse can also help to prevent colic.

Signs of Colic in Horses

Knowing the signs of colic in horses can help you to detect colic before it is too late. Restlessness and pawing at the ground are common symptoms of colic. Other symptoms include an increase of certain bodily functions, such as sweating, breathing rate, and heartbeat. A horse that is rolling on the ground may be in pain due to colic. Lip curling and stretching out often indicate the presence of colic. Colic is primarily abdominal pain so a horse that is watching their flank or kicking at their abdomen may be experiencing pain in that area. A horse with colic is likely to be depressed, uninterested in food, and lethargic. If your horse is producing less manure or, alternatively, has diarrhea, it may have colic.

What to do if your Horse has Colic

Colic should always be treated as an emergency, because it can quickly lead to extensive issues. Contact your veterinarian as soon as you notice that your horse is exhibiting signs of colic. If possible, you should walk your horse gently when they are experiencing colic. This can both help to stimulate the digestive system, as well as prevent them from injuring themselves from rolling. Check their vitals to ensure that you are able to provide the information to your veterinarian when they arrive. Closely monitor a horse that is exhibiting signs of colic and ensure that they are contained in a safe area. Follow all of your vet’s instructions. Never take a “wait and see” approach to colic.

Implement an Automatic Waterer

Here at Bar Bar A, we care about the health of your horses. Horses need a great deal of water to ensure that their digestive system is able to operate efficiently and effectively. Providing a consistent, reliable supply of clean water to your horse is an important component of preventing a variety of issues, including colic. We believe that electricity, water, and animals are a disastrous combination. Our automatic waterer uses a method that allows your horse to have access to water at a comfortable temperature without being exposed to the potential hazards of electricity. This system can prevent dehydration and ensure that your horses remain in the best possible health. To learn more about how this system can provide a consistent water supply to your horse, as well as how it can benefit your horse’s health, contact us today!

Water is often considered the most important nutrient for horses to consume. A horse should always be provided access to fresh and clean water, as water makes up around 70% of their total body weight. It is important to follow the appropriate steps to protect your horse from the harmful effects of dehydration to optimize their health and prevent serious issues. Understanding the importance of water can help you to implement this to your horse’s diet.

How Much Water Horses Need

Horses are much more likely to survive without food than they are without water. Most horses can survive nearly a month without food but less than a week without water. In fact, incredibly dangerous symptoms can occur after just two days without water. The amount of water that a horse needs to stay hydrated depends primarily on their total body weight. A horse tends to consume about 5-15 gallons of water per day on average. Other factors may impact the total required amount of water, such as the external temperatures, amount of exercise of the horse, as well as the horse’s regular diet. Broodmares also require additional water as water is required to produce milk for foals. Ensure that your horse always has water available to them. If you use an automatic waterer, make sure to check it daily to ensure that it is functioning appropriately.

Can a Horse Drink Too Much Water?

It is most common to be concerned that your horse isn’t drinking enough water rather than drinking too much. However, there may be some situations where a horse will drink excessive amounts of water. In many cases this is attributed to boredom, stress, or confinement and the problem can be resolved by turning the horse out more frequently. However, when paired with excessive urination and other symptoms, such as loss of appetite or weight, excessive water consumption may indicate problems with the horse’s health. This is a common side effect of Cushing’s Disease, kidney failure, and other illnesses. If your horse is exhibiting these symptoms, you should obtain the services of a veterinarian. Never restrict your horse’s access to water unless it is done under the supervision of a veterinarian, as this can exacerbate the issues and even result in other dangerous illnesses.

Water Consumption with the Weather

A horse requires substantial amounts of water no matter what time of year it is. It is just as important for horses to drink water during the winter as it is during the summer. Keep in mind that snow is not a viable water supply for a horse. During the winter months, dehydration can become an issue despite the lower temperatures and decreased exercise demands. For one thing, a horse’s diet is generally much drier during winter than summer. Another consideration is that water can freeze during the winter, which can prevent your horse from obtaining access to the water that they need.

Ensure that water is at a comfortable temperature year-round. This means that cool water should be provided in the summer, while warm water should be provided in the winter months. Implementing an automatic waterer can go a long way toward regulating the water temperature, as it keeps water warmer in the winter months and cooler during the summer months.

The Importance of Water and the Dangers of Dehydration

Dehydration can result in many serious issues for a horse. It is important to understand the importance of water. Water helps to facilitate digestion in horses, so when they are dehydrated, serious blockage can occur. One of the most prominent and devastating impacts of water deprivation is colic, which can occur in just 48 hours without water. Insufficient water will cause a horse to be lethargic and have poor performance. In addition, a lack of water can cause colic, kidney damage, weight loss, collapse, and death.

There are several signs of dehydration, so keeping an eye on your horse can help to ensure that you prevent these issues from occurring. When you check the gums of your horse, they should be moist and pink. Sunken flanks or eyes may also indicate the likelihood of dehydration. Regular, even breathing is standard for a horse. Panting may indicate dehydration. Additionally, the skin should maintain high levels of elasticity. If you pinch the skin on the horse’s neck, it should snap back immediately. Delayed returning to its prior condition may be caused by dehydration.

How to Coax your Horse to Drink More Water

If your horse becomes dehydrated, you will need to take steps to encourage the horse to drink more water. Horses are incredibly sensitive to both the smell and taste of their water, which can cause them to be picky where their water consumption is concerned. This can become a bigger issue when traveling with your horse. Prior to traveling, you may want to consider flavoring the water for several days so that you can similarly flavor the water located elsewhere. You may also wish to bring water from home to ensure that your horse will have access to water that they will drink. If you use an automatic waterer, you should provide a water bucket to new horses until you observe them drinking from the automatic waterer.

Offering a salt block or adding salt supplements to your horse’s diet can encourage them to drink more water. Ensure that your horse always has access to clean, fresh water that is at a comfortable temperature for the time of year. This can be accomplished easily with the use of an automatic watering system, though it is still important to check the system on a daily basis.

Get an Automatic Waterer!

Automatic waterers can go a long way toward enhancing your horse’s water consumption. They will ensure that they are always able to obtain the water that they need, no matter what the time of year. Here at the Horsedrinker, we believe that animals, electricity, and water are a recipe for disaster. For this reason, we have constructed an automatic waterer that is completely electricity free, while still providing all of the benefits of an automatic waterer. To learn more about our watering systems, contact our experts today!