Water frozen

[silverlace]

In the last big freeze we had such a problem getting water to our grandaughters pony. The water in the trough was frozen solid in Mabels field. Any ideas?

[lankeela]

They use a tennis ball in fish ponds, as they move round it stops the ice from forming. Maybe you could try a football.
other than that get one of those Aquaroll things that you use for camping - you can fill it up and pull it along instead of having to carry a container.

[Clanad]

Here, on the ranch in the western U.S., we have lots of cow ponies and they require a lot of water. Even the smaller ones, weighning perhaps 900 to 1200 pounds require at least 10 to 12 gallons per day.
If you have the availability of electricity, there are "donut" looking devices that actually float on the water and keep even a fairly large trough clear of ice. They don't use a lot of electricity. There are the same kind of devices that have thermostats to regulate the temperature for smaller troughs.
Winter dehydration can cause colic, which left unrecognized can develop serious consequences. We grow up with our horses... i have one roan pony that's 22 years old and still one of the finest cow horses on the place and she drinks 15 gallons a day.
Water is so important that in really cold snaps you may have to carry water two or three times daily if the above remedy isn't available.
Keep an eye on the horse's droppings... if they become really dry and fall apart soon after being dropped, make extra effort to provide water since this is a harbinger of dehydration. Sometimes a little added salt or a salt block will induce the horse to drink since they may not drink readily in cold weather. If you notice the horse "dunking" their hay in the water as they eat, this can be a sign they aren't producing enough saliva. also a sign of dehydration. Be sure to use a little grain daily ... Best of luck!

[silverlace]

Wow! Thankyou so much clanad. Are you for real? You know so much. I have never heard of cow ponies. Ye Ha.

[terambulan]

Break the ice in the trough or feed water by bucket as you hard feed.

15gallons per horse p.day ..... that's going some? No salt in winter as it makes the horse un-naturally thirsty in the wrong season - too much ice water can bring on pneumonia.

[silverlace]

Thankyou Terambulan.

[Ice.Maiden]

Ours are being bucket-fed water atm, although the trough hasn't frozen over so solid as not to be able to break the ice. Also, if you'ver got a hosepipe leading to the trough in your field or yard, watch it doesn't freeze up. We tried to lag ours with tape, but it wasn't successful, so we buried the pipe underground, making sure that the opening was covered until it was needed for use.

[Clanad]

Horses are likely not to drink as much in winter due to cold temps and especially if the humidity is high. To induce drinking we leave several mineral blocks in the pastures... have few problems with dehydration colic...
Our "cow ponies" are mixed breeds... fro example the roan I mentioned is a Quarter Horse/Appaloosa/Morgan cross. We've always liked smaller horses for durability, temperment and intelligence. Most of our other horses are Appaloosa/Arab crosses. Were near the original source of the Appaloosa since they were developed by the Nez Perce Indians in a neighboring State. Fine,fine horses...

[terambulan]

My outdoor pipe is frozen atm so have to lug out hot water by container to melt hole in ice in trough - works a treat. My ggs are 12ft from house. Dogs starts barking at 7am, horses pick up with whinniing, ferrets squeaking, cats crashing about & bluddy pheasants growling....no peace for the wicked. I will never die - they'll see to that!