Keep it Clean
September 1, 2011
Horses perform better when drinking clean water.
Keep it clean to keep your horse healthy. Journal photo.
From The American Quarter Horse Journal
Just like people, horses do not like strange odors or funny tasting water.
Depending on the type of activity, the average horse drinks 10-12 gallons a day.
Did you know that water affects your horse’s fluid balance, temperature, exercise tolerance and ability to digest feed?
There are two primary concerns to keep in mind when you think about water for your horse.
First, make sure your horse has access to water at all times, except when you’re on the trail, of course!
Studies show that limiting water for just two hours can increase the chance for your horse to colic by 40 percent! So, avoid trips to the vet and late-night scares by always providing water.
If you’re confused about vaccinations, equine nutrition, first aid or anything else relating to horse health, then you need the “Your Horse’s Health” DVD collection.
Second, provide the cleanest water you possibly can. Would you want to drink icky dirty water? Your horse doesn’t either!
Depending on the size of your water tank, you should clean it out at least once a week, and more often if needed. Be aware of algae, old hay and dirt collecting in the trough.
Some horses like to drop hay in the water when they eat, and it can cause an odor to develop. Remember to keep it clean, and your horse will be happy and healthy.
Tips for Cleaning Tanks
Cleaning out your horse’s water trough can be fun! First gather the tools you will need for the project.
- Scrub brush
- Water hose
- Pliers to unplug the drain
The first thing you need to do is to drain the old water from the tank. Some people don’t want to get the stall or pasture muddy, so you can use a hose that’s not hooked up to a hydrant to drain the tank. As the water is draining, use your hands or scrub brush to wipe dirt and grime off the side of the tank.
After all the water is drained, start scrubbing. Add some water to scrub with, and then make sure the sides and bottom are clean and free from dirt, old hay and algae. It works best to tip the tank over to dump out excess water.
After that, you’re home free! The only thing left to do now is fill the tank up with fresh water. It might take a while, depending on the size, but don’t forget to turn the water off when it’s full.
Your horse will love you forever if you make this a weekly chore!
Dr. Kenton Morgan explains the most common equine diseases, disorders and behavioral problems on the “Your Horse’s Health” DVD collection.
Secondhand Uses
Some water troughs get too dingy and rusted to continue using. Here are some ideas of uses for old water troughs! Maybe you’ll put one to use when you retire your old trough!
- A planter for summer flowers
- Storage for leg wraps
- Paint your old trough and use it for shelves in the barn
- A fish tank
- A trash can
- A beverage holder at barn get-togethers
- Indoor decoration
- Stepping stool for the barn
- Storage for older tack
- Toy box
What creative things have you done with old water troughs?
Comments
36 Comments on “Keep it Clean”
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September 1st, 2011 at 6:27 am
Good grief! Are you writing these articles to a second grade level? I began reading this article in hopes of finding some REAL advice about keeping my horse’s water tank clean and deal with problems such as algae collection, etc. Instead, I find a article written for a kid! Do you really think we need to be told how to empty a tank, how to scrub it and, oh yeah, what to do with a discarded tank for making your barn area cutesy. This is not the first article I have read from you that comes off this way. Please, put some ‘meat’ into these articles or I will be forced to drop them from my email blog. P.S. The magazine is great and not at all like these articles. Sorry for the negative response.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:33 am
Use old or cracked water troughs as hay feeders in the field for those muddy times to save hay
September 1st, 2011 at 6:42 am
Sorry but I have to agree with Kathy. During the hot summer months my tanks got full of algae and slim and had to be dumped every other day or so. But not anymore! I drain remaining water out and put about 1/4 gallon bottle of Clorox in and using a toliet brush, scrub bottom and sides really well. Let sit in sun for an hour or so then rinse. As I am adding fresh water back into the tank, I add 1 cup of Apple Cider Vinegar to every 50 gallons of water. Then as I add water daily will pour 1/4-1/2 cup of APC into the water. Trust me, I did a lot of research on this and it works awesome!! Tanks stay sparkling clean for week to ten days, and even longer when its not brutally hot! Plus, the ACV is good for horses. Try it
)
September 1st, 2011 at 8:11 am
I like meat too but really, I am constantly amazed at people with horses that haven’t the foggiest idea what is involved in owning them or how to care for them. It doesn’t occur to them to clean out the water trough!! So for everyone that is operating at college level horse ownership – there are 1,000 operating at 2nd grade level and need elementary instruction. If the industry were all left to experts, there would be no industry left! Press on. You always have great information to offer everyone!
September 1st, 2011 at 8:19 am
I have been using this little “barley bag” you get at the Tractor Supply store. I think they came to the U.S. from Australia. Anyway, they claim that if you submerge this little bag containing some kind of barley into your tank, it will keep algae from growing and keep your tank clean for up to a month. I threw it into a cattle trough to test it, and it works! I was so surprised. The algae turned from green to brown and rinsed right out after a couple of days. I replace the bag every 2 weeks. They’re only about $2. It keeps you from having to scrub with a brush. I use an automatic water bowl for my horses. It’s in their stall. It refills automatically, but only holds about a gallon of water at a time. I clean it daily. The water stays clean, but sometimes gets warm. It was about $50 at tractor supply.
September 1st, 2011 at 8:33 am
I agree with Diane, some people don’t know or CARE about having to clean water troughs for horses or any animals. I have a friend that will refill his goats water cans even if they have droppings in then. He says they are just animals and it doesn’t matter.
Also try putting the water troughs in a shaded area, it keeps the water cooler and it slows down the algae growth. If you are using well water, which doesn’t have chlorine, put in the apple cider or a small amount of chlorine, it will keep the water cleaner and fresher tasting.
September 1st, 2011 at 8:44 am
My Blue Heeler has discovered the water trough makes a great swimming pool when it is hot.
September 1st, 2011 at 8:47 am
I’m buying a gallon of ACV for my friend to see how it works with her horses!
September 1st, 2011 at 11:31 am
I agree 100% with Cathy and Paula. The article is for people who have NO IDEA, and should not own any animals, let alone a horse. I have been cleaning horse tanks for 30+ years using Paula’s method. It is easy, efficient, quick and effective! Plus ACV IS very good for all horses. I have found that all breeds of horses, regardless of age or gender, receive the ACV in their water well; even my wild mustang loves it! I also prefer to have my horses drink out of a tank rather than an automatic waterer, because then you have a much more accurate account of how much water your horses are consuming. Owners need to focus more on quality AND quantity of their animals’ water intake, whether it is 100 degrees or -30 degrees, our horses need their water!
September 1st, 2011 at 5:56 pm
I thought as I read this article what a great topic and resource this would be for my 4th grader to do a demonstration on for 4h. It is simplistic in it’s approach but even some adults are incapable of grasping how important clean water is for our animals. Thank you for the article or little,ones need reading material like this to become better horseman as well. I look forward to sharing this and further like articles with my horse crazy sons.
September 1st, 2011 at 5:57 pm
Here’s a good question related to water. I have a pinto that holds her weight a little too well. So in spring and summer spends a Lot of time yarded up. She is very fussy and will not drink out of a bucket. I have tried everything I can think of. Different buckets made of different materials and colours. Added carrots etc to water. She won’t even drink it with molasses in it. So hence she has to wait until she is let out for a graze and Drinks out of the trough. I am in new Zealand so she is and outdoor kept horse. Any ideas?
September 1st, 2011 at 6:13 pm
I agree, seems like common sense (or horse sense) but unfortunately sometimes the horse has the upper hand in that category. I clean the tank twice a week in the hot summer months. I use a spackling or putty spatula from the hardware store to scrape the algae from the sides and bottom and then scrub with a brush. My horses don’t seem to like the ACV but I have heard it works. I don’t worry about a muddy spot around the tank as the dry, sandy ground here sucks the life right out of their feet so having to stand in some water or mud to drink for a day or two is usually helpful and appreciated by my farrier.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:32 pm
If I am in a hurry and need to clean my water tank but don’t want to go all the way back to the barn for the cleaning supplies, I just empty the water out, scoop up a hand full of dirt/sand or even grass and hay. Rub it around in the tub and scrub the algae on the sides and bottom, rinse and repeat if necessary. It works really good and no chemicals needed. Isn’t that the way the pioneers washed their dishes? I believe in good clean cool water for my horses at all times. I am retired so I can empty and refill my tubs in the morning and at night.
September 1st, 2011 at 6:57 pm
Paula, Lori, and Cari
I liked the info about your cleaning tactics but what the heck is ACV??
September 1st, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Whoops! didn’t mean ACV meant to ask Paula if she did a typo when using APC further into her info.
September 1st, 2011 at 10:51 pm
Thank you for the practical tips, perfect for the not-so-schooled but interested horse owner like me. I also know a lot of horse owners who do not know how to properly care for horses but rather than learn the basics, they blame the horses.
September 1st, 2011 at 10:53 pm
More … they blame the horses for being “high maintenance.”
September 2nd, 2011 at 7:47 am
ACV is apple cider vinegar.
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:21 am
I agree with Cathy. We’re not in kindergarten. Give us some articles that educate and challenge us.
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:22 am
I agree with Cathy. We’re not in kindergarten. Give us articles that challenge and educate us.
September 2nd, 2011 at 8:40 am
I’ve found that muck tubs make great watering troughs. They are small enough to dump easily, move around when necessary, are inexpensive, available almost everywhere, and the smooth surface is easy to clean. To keep them from becoming horse toys, I use a length of baler twine to tie them to a ring on the side of the barn. They are also an appropriate size for a small wattage bucket heater in the winter. When they finally crack, I use them in the garden when weeding, hauling mulch, etc. etc.
With 3 horses, I fill twice daily, and tie two together when it gets really hot.
September 3rd, 2011 at 6:29 am
Use the Stock Tank Secret Barley Straw at TSC (Tractor Supply) for $5. It works the best. We sometimes have as many as 9 horses drinking out of a 500 gallon tank out in the pasture. It is not ‘green’ to dump the water when it gets dirty. We try not to completely fill it so it doesn’t get stale, but do keep an eye on it. When it gets low… I only have to shovel out the muck on the bottom and we’re good to go. The barley straw keeps everything under control even in the 100 degree heat indexes we had for weeks on end this summer. Oh… and we use the ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) in our cat and dogs outside water… a couple of drops every time you fill it… heard it’s suppose to be good to ward off fleas… not sure that’s true but they all seem to like it!
September 4th, 2011 at 11:17 am
oops!! ACV is Apple Cider Vinegar…I musta fat fingered the keys
)
September 6th, 2011 at 7:10 pm
WHAT???????? My horses dance in their water tank – splash it all out. Cleaning their tank and refilling is “our” fun time. They love to help dump the tank and try to drink out of the hose. I add every other day, change weekly and I don’t have a water supply – have to haul it in. But…they LOVE their fresh water.. I see other pastures & barns with filthy water with H20 access. They need the 2nd grade education!!
September 8th, 2011 at 9:50 am
I, too, clicked on this link in hopes of some good info on keeping water tanks cleaner. Have had horses for 20+ years, so I certainly know how to clean one. I appreciate the comments made by participants and they gave me a few ideas which were lacking in the orginial article. One thing I do (which many of you do also, I’m sure) is strain the tank with cheese cloth occasionally. Helps lengthen the “dump” cycle.
September 8th, 2011 at 10:58 am
Wow! Some people are sooooo rude!!!
September 9th, 2011 at 10:26 pm
The tips all of you have shared are great. I feel for you, MIKE, cause we were hauling in our water for some time, too, until we bit the bullet & paid for a deep well. The water is better than at the house & our horses loved a good spritz during the horrible Texas heat. I’ve heard an old tale that ACV will help bladder/kidney/urinary infections, too… I don’t know if that works on all living beings, but am interested in testing it out. Thanks to all for your input. Happy Trails!
September 13th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
The tips are good. I’ve witnessed too many slimy, disgusting water troughs that look like they’ve only had water added to and never had the trough cleaned — and I mean never! That’s absolute neglect. Imagine the bacteria. How would they like to take a nice big swig of that filth?
Really, it’s true that there is a huge section of the horse owning population which does need this type of education. I kid you not. We have several of these who live in the surrounding area…and one living in very close proximity to me. It’s very sad. I’ve taken fresh buckets of fresh, clean and cool water over to this horse myself. Let’s face it. There are too many horse owners who simply should never be allowed to own horses nor any other animals because they don’t believe in properly caring for them. I don’t think any of the dogs or the horse has ever received any of the typically prescribed shots and preventive meds that we all normally give to our animals when we truly care and love them.
This one particular horse owner leaves his dogs outside all year-round as well. It doesn’t matter if it’s below freezing or above 95 degrees (with humidity bringing the temps even warmer). I’ve also brought fresh water over to the dogs. I can’t stand to think they are over there suffering while I’ve got everything I need.
May 28th, 2012 at 11:00 am
I appreciate your efforts, and thank you for posting these tips. No education is a bad education; it all depends on the student. People who constantly whine, even when they get something for free, really bother me.
My question is, WHY is anyone complaining or personally offended by free tips on how to care for an animal, especially given that there are so many animals that need our help???
Perhaps those who complain about free education should either start paying for it, or better yet, go elsewhere, and leave the rest of alone.
June 23rd, 2012 at 8:26 am
Got to try the ACV. This is so easy, and non toxic. My tanks are shaded but still turn quickly, in Michigan the temps change so rapidly, the water doesnt have time to cool.
Any one would like to talk about Hory Allisum. Almost lost my mare to it. My friends and i just pull it out when we find it. My mare would slightly founder, every Aug, thru Sept. 2 years ago we had big time crop of it. She eats it like candy. 4 days off pasture she recovered, but did slightly rotate. Since she is 21, i wont be riding her much more with the rotation unless i shoe her.
Will let you know if the ACV works for me.
June 28th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
To clean my water tanks I use a good handfull of straw or hay, twisted like a rope and doubled back on itself. It makes a great scubber if you cannot remember where you left your scrub brush…….! Then just rinse, refill and add a little clorox (about 2 oz per 50 gallon), or the apple cider vinegar (about 1 cup per 50 gallon). My goats and pony don’t care about the use of either one.
September 9th, 2012 at 5:10 pm
I just found this sight, I’m so happy to have any info I can get my eyes on. We were giving 3 horses due to their owner passing away :{
My husband grew up with farm animals, as for me I am Country at heart but a true City girl. I had never been on a horse let alone take care of one so any (2nd grade) information is appreciated. Thank you very much. I change my horses water 1x a week, however; It has been getting green within 3 days of the change and OMGosh the flies are incredible! I use the Fly Die and it works temporarily but I have become very frustrated and at my witts ends! That’s when I decided to seek some help from others. There are many tips I will be using; hay as a scrubber (awesome), Stock Tank Secret (on my list for next town shopping trip), oh and I have ACV and Pine Sol so
I will be trying both the ACV in their water and the ACV/Pine Sol/Water solution for the pest control. I will get back to ya’ll with an update.
So excited to find home remedies that are cost effective.
Thanks Again,
Maggie Mae
September 22nd, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Maggie Mae: Uh, that wasn’t “Pine Sol”, it was bleach. Pine Sol is NOT bleach. I did a search on this page and your comment is the only place where “Pine Sol” comes up. Hope you didn’t kill your horse or other animals, :-\
January 4th, 2013 at 7:02 am
Lots of good info here. I buy horses magazines and don’t even have a horse(yet) -just as I bought garden magazines for years although I had a second floor flat(apartment)for ages before I had a proper house and garden.Everyone has to learn sometime and hopefully BEFORE aquiring the horse! Reason I looked up “horses..clean water trough,often” is because my insane boss who owns 12 horses has told me I don’t know anything about horses because I was ” wasting water” cleaning their auto fill(ancient and rusty) troughs when it was “completely unneccessary” and only needed done at the end of winter ie after 6 months . I was reprimanded for interfering in the running of the farm. I had been trying to do them all as often as I could ,in practise each one once every 7-10 days,as no time was allowed for such things. I want a job where I can learn how horses should be kept NOW ,not as they were kept in 1940.
February 15th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
I like this article because when I grew up with animals, no one cared about the animals very much. So there are many things I did not learn. I am in my thirties and recently got my first horse of my own. I want to be sure I am doing everything the right way and better than how I grew up. I knew it wasn’t the best way but when you are young there isn’t much you can do to be heard. Now that spring is here, algae seems to be growing much faster. So I wanted to be sure on a good time frame of how often to empty my horses water. She gets fresh scrubbed buckets beside the trough (supposed to be for the goats) too. So I do appreciate the simple explanation.
March 13th, 2013 at 3:32 pm
I am very appreciative of the article and also of MOST of the comments. I could deal without the derogatory ones. I have always wanted a horse, and recently got one in my late thirties, and do have much to learn. And like one person said, it’s free advice, stop your darn whining! Better the basics than nothing at all and the comments had nice advice about using the vinegar as well as the barley. Point is the old adage is true- if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it all.