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Discussion on Best Auto Waterers in Pasture
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New Member:
raysmom
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Posted on Wednesday, Aug 6, 2008 - 11:35 am:
Hi Folks,
I am going to install Automatic Waterers in my pastures this fall, and I am looking for advice on the brands available. I am going to hire the installation, So it is OK if it is complicated. I live in SW Virginia, and the water will freeze if not heated. I've heard about the Bar-Bar-A which drains back, and I wonder if the paddle ever freezes? I'm also looking at the Nelson, which costs more and requires electricity. Has anyone ever had an animal shocked by one of these? I'd like to do it once, and do it right, so I appreciate any information you can share.
Thanks!
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 12:02 am:
I have two nelson heated in my barn - Professionally installed - ONe leaks - one is fine.
50 % good I would say
so you have one person's experience.
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 2:35 am:
I have 3 Nelson waterers in my stalls. All heated ( in winter ), all good. Had a leak in one after installation, we fixed it, all is well now. I also have a brand new nelson waterer for my turnout, which has never been installed....due to the fact that we keep changing our pasture layout. The waterers in the barn are great!
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Member:
lilo
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 - 11:46 am:
Heather - I don't have any automatic waterers myself, but my neighbor installed the Bar-Bar-A in her paddock. Her husband did the installation and I just remember it involved some used tires below ground. She likes it, and we had one very cold and snowy winter (2006/07) and it never gave her any trouble. However, she briefly had a young mare she was keeping for a friend that managed to mess with the paddle mechanism and broke a piece.
So - that is all I can contribute here as second hand information.
Lilo
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 - 10:21 am:
I have Nelsons and if they are installed properly--as per manufacturer directions--they're great. The one in my drylot has never frozen, but the ones in the barn have. They weren't installed exactly as directed. No shocks ever. No leaks. They've been in for about ten years. If offered water in a tub or bucket they will choose the Nelson. Like it fresh I guess. Sorry to be posting late to this.
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New Member:
raysmom
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 - 6:13 pm:
Thank you for your experiences. For those of you who have needed to repair a waterer, did the manufacturer treat you well? Also, has anyone ever had trouble teaching a horse to use their waterer? This is all very usefull for me to know, since it is an expensive endeavor
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 12:47 am:
The leak in mine was in an elbow that we installed, not in the waterer. They are fairly simple to put in ( you'll need electric for the heater ), and the waterers themselves have never been a problem. We did call the company with a few questions when we were installing them and there was always someone there that took as long as we needed to make things clear.
The hardest part of putting them in is digging the trenches for the underground water supply lines. My horses, who had never seen an automatic waterer, thoroughly investigated them and, within 24 hours were using them like they had been born to it.
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 12:03 pm:
My Nelsons were installed when we moved here. I had lots of questions and when I called the company, the man I talked to walked me through everything, emailed me diagrams, etc. Couldn't have been more helpful! I have new horses coming in periodically and they all take to the waterer immediately.
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 - 12:07 pm:
Oh, one more thing. The ones in my stalls are higher off the ground (maybe so they won't get pooped in?) and the horses prefer the one in the drylot that is much lower. They will all leave their stalls to get a drink from that one. Same water line so that's not a factor. I think it has to be the height. My three yearlings always decide they need a drink at the same time and they will push and shove and dribble over each other rather than drink out of a fresh bucket of water. Do they like the waterer better or do they just like to push and shove and dribble on each other?
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