Winter Hydration Solutions
Wintertime water woes are a thing. While you may be in a part of the country that rarely sees anything below freezing, I am currently struggling with frozen water buckets during the wintertime. The magical solution? Well, I wish there were one, I'd share it with you right here and now! But for now, I can at least share some solutions that I've used in the past and still use today! (Like literally today, it is SO cold out!)
Keeping Things Cozy & Warm
Heated Water Buckets
When you have the means to do so, a heated water bucket is a great solution during chilly days. Horse-friendly heated buckets have built-in thermostats, cord protection, and a hidden heater to prevent any unwanted curiosity. You can find them in 5 Gallon or 16 Gallon sizes. It's always worth mentioning the safety risk of some heated buckets, though, be sure your barn is set up to keep water in these buckets and keep an eye on any stalls or paddocks that use them.
Insulated Water Bucket Covers
Sometimes, heated water buckets are just not an option or barn managers aren't comfortable using them. Whether you board your horse, don’t have easy access to electrical outlets at your barn, or have concerns about heated buckets, there are a variety of reasons to lean towards an insulated bucket cover instead. Covers can be quickly added to your existing 5 gallon or 70 quart buckets during chilly months and removed once the frost has left. They are easy to clean. Can throw in the washer on cool, gentle cycle and hang to dry. You can find them in 5 Gallon or 70 Quart sizes.
DIY Water Bucket
What if you don’t have access to the above and need something in a pinch or you want to try something different? For me, my inquisitive, exuberant gelding didn’t play well with the insulated bucket covers, so I created my own! How did I do this?
Enlist a friend! (If you can, it's definitely easier with two people.)
Grab:
- A 5 or 6 gallon bucket
- A roll of duct tape
- A roll of bubble wrap (can be found at a local hardware store, or grab some from any packages you’ve recently received- I did a combination of both)
- Scissors
Steps:
- Wrap the bucket once with bubble wrap, tape to keep secure.
- Repeat the step above, giving you with two layers of bubble wrap.
- Wrap the bucket again, but this time, ensure there is some still overlap for the bottom.
- Tape bubble wrap to bottom of bucket.
- Cut out two square pieces (or circular) for the base, secure.
- Start taping the bottom of the bucket, overlapping the tape seams.
- Then wrap entire bucket with duct tape, until everything is covered. The first bucket “cover” made a few years ago, we wrapped top to bottom. This time, we went the opposite way, to prevent water from seeping into tape seams.
- While this will not prevent water from freezing in a deep cold spell, it will help mitigate a completely frozen bucket.
Note: monitor use of the bucket, as there are no guarantees that playful mouths will not destroy the makeshift cover!
Encouraging Hydration with Water Additives, Mashes, & Forage
Have a horse that doesn’t like to drink much during the winter? There are several options to try!
Gallagher’s Water
Gallagher’s Water is amazing for picky/fussy drinkers. It encourages proper hydration, can be served warm or cold, and is easy to take on the road. Just pour a packet into a to gallon bucket filled with water, stir, and serve! I have yet had a horse turn up their nose when offered a bucket of Gallagher’s Water. Available in both Gallagher’s Water (original) and Gallagher’s Water (no sugar added).
Crypto Aero Restore Mash & Mix
Looking for something a little more substantial? Crypto Aero Restore Mash & Mix can be used to encourage proper hydration while providing whole food ingredients for additional vitamins, minerals, and calories. I have loved using this and other mashes when I want to “treat” the ponies (for my needs, it hasn’t been utilized on a daily basis).*
Forage Options
If you have a horse that could benefit from weight gain in plus additional water, consider going a route that includes more forage. Hydration Hay, Forge Pellets, or Beet Pulp are designed to be soaked, providing additional water intake. I personally am a Hydration Hay gal. It’s quick to soak and compact, and can travel everywhere with me.*
Additional Ideas
Adding Water to Grain
Does your horse receive grain on a daily basis? See if you can add a little water to their daily meal. If they are receiving whole foods (oats, etc), you can always drizzle a little Equi Sweet on top before soaking.*
Also Try!
Does your horse like peppermints? Dissolve one or two in a bucket of warm or lukewarm water. How about unsweetened applesauce? There is a decent amount of water in this!
While there are many options to try, we know your horse is one-of-a-kind and has their own unique preferences! Please be sure to always consult your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to discuss the above options and what would be best for you and your horse.
*When soaking feed, forage, or mash, don’t forget to feed promptly. Leaving out for too long can cause bacterial concerns.
And that's everything I've got! I hope some of these products and ideas are helpful to you this winter. And if you have any tips for me on how to keep my fingers from freezing while I'm out making my horse's DIY insulated bucket I'm all ears.