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Every winter, equestrians dread breaking ice on water buckets. It is a cold, tedious task, but it must be done for the sake of your horse’s wellbeing.

Fortunately, for those who hate breaking ice, there are ways to stop water buckets from freezing. Not only is this easier for you, but your horse will also appreciate it as well.

Having plenty of fresh, clean water available for your horse is very important. During wintertime, if a bucket or trough becomes iced over, it can cause a horse to become dehydrated. In return, this can lead to colic, which can potentially be deadly.

It is important to monitor your horse’s water intake during winter. Even if the buckets aren’t frozen over, some horses do not like drinking too cold water.

Here are some handy ways you can prevent water buckets from freezing.

Insulation can make a huge difference during wintertime. One of the great things about insulating buckets or troughs is that it can easily be done.

For quick insulation, place your trough or bucket in a larger tough or bucket. Then, fill the area in between with straw, dirt, fiber, or foam to provide a layer of insulation between the two buckets or troughs.

This method will help prevent the buildup of ice and keep the water warmer for longer. In addition, it is one of the most effective methods that does not require electricity. Make sure to remove the manure and clean the buckets the next day.

See here a superb video on YouTube explain how to insulate a water trough.

For water troughs out in fields, partially burying them can help prevent ice from forming. The dirt will work as an insulator and help protect the trough from the elements.

To do so, dig a shallow hole that goes about halfway or two-thirds up the height of your trough. Then, after placing the trough in the hole, cover the sides with dirt. You can even mix some straw in with the dirt for additional insulation.

Though it does require some labor, it is a great option for preventing ice from forming. You can use this method by itself or also with an electric de-icer.

A quick and easy way to help prevent ice is to partially cover your trough. By covering up all but a small area of the trough, you are helping insulate the surface from the cold.

Foam insulation or plywood works well as a cover. Use c-clamps or another secure method to hold down the covering. Just be sure that there is nothing your horse could hurt themselves on when installing the cover.

Though they can get expensive, a heated bucket or de-icer can be well worth the investment. They can be a particularly great option for picky horses that don’t like drinking ice-cold water.

Heated water buckets can be a great option for barns. They have built-in heaters that are thermostatically controlled, many of which turn on at 35 degrees Fahrenheit and turn off at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. For your horse’s safety, they include anti-chew cord protectors.

Below is the popular Farm Innovators heated horse water bucket on amazon.

De-icers are an ideal option for water troughs in pastures. You can use a few different types of de-icers for troughs, including submersible heaters and floating heaters.

Floating heaters float at the top of the water trough and are safe to use with plastic or poly troughs. They should always be plugged into a GFI outlet. They can be a reliable option, but some curious horses may play with them.

Submersible heaters sit at the bottom of the water trough, keeping out of the way. Oftentimes, they include a wire guard, making them safe to work in metal and plastic tanks.

Also read: 10 Best Heated Water Troughs & Stock Tank Heaters

If your water buckets ice over, be sure to remove all the ice. Though it can be tempting to just break the ice and leave it, leaving it in will cause it to ice over faster.

By taking out all the ice, it will take longer for the bucket to refreeze, saving you more work in the future.

If possible, use warm water when filling the buckets, even if you only use warm water for only part of the bucket. Not only will it take longer for the water to form ice, but many horses prefer drinking warm water as ice-cold water can make them feel colder. Use warm water, not hot water.

If you have an old rubber tire lying around, you can use it as insulation for your water bucket. Simply place the bucket in the tire, and the tire will help protect the bucket from the cold.

If it is sunny during the day, you can leave the tire out in direct sunlight, as it will absorb some warmth. Then, you can put the water bucket in the tire overnight to help prevent ice from forming.

If you have a well-insulated shed in your pasture, that can be a good place to keep your water trough. If possible, you can use some straw or foam for further insulation of the trough.

If placing buckets outside in a pasture, be sure to place them in an area where they are in direct sunlight. The warmth from the sun can help warm up the water slightly so it won’t ice over.

Instead of using plastic or metal buckets, try opting for rubber. Rubber is not only durable, but it is generally a good insulator. Due to this, it will often take longer for ice to form in rubber buckets and troughs than in plastic or metal ones.

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