Automatic water drinkers

L

Lady_Bug

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Joined
16 January 2007
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UK
angelsonhorseback.co.uk
Just wondering what everyone's maintenance routine is for automatic water drinkers in stables?
Might be a silly question, but I have never had one in my stable before, always used buckets. The stable I am moving into has got one though, so just wondered how often and how everyone cleans them?
 
check them daily to make sure they are working & clean if necessary - (poops or mice sometime get in them)

other than that, clean weekly.

Don't forget to lag the pipes well for the winter.

x
 
I clean mine about once a week, theres a little handle on the side of mine which swiches the water off, so i swich the water off scoop out the water thats currently in ther an then scrub scrub scrub, remembering to turn water back on!!! But, def do a daily check
 
Turn them off. Empty. Put bucket in stable.

I hate not knowing how much or little they are drinking so I don't use them. Also my mare won't drink from one although her daughter will.
 
How do you lag the pipes?

Do you just give them a good scrub with a brush once a week or use a heavily diluted disinfectant solution?

I will have to have a closer look at it tomorrow, only had a wee peek while I was disinfecting the floor ready to move into
smile.gif
 
I think I might be wary about using a disinfectant - the smell might stop your horse from drinking. Star's gets a good scrub with a green pan scrubber to keep it clean.
 
Empty each day and give a quick scrub,I use a dish brush,allow to refill,empty.Nothing else needed,if a new horse is coming into that box I then use disinfectant and rinse well.
 
I clean mine weekly.

Do be careful about turning off if you are not happy using them. If they are not used regularly it can cause pipe problems, and prevent them from working properly in the future.
 
I might give it a quick rinse with a teeny drop of disinfectant in as another horse was in the stable up until recently. I will just scrub it out with a brush and water normally then.

Thanks for all help!
 
I wouldn't use disinfectant, a rough sided sponge is best or a nailbrush.

Stop the water, or lift the ballcock - scrub & use the sponge to empty it (unless it has a plug) and let it refil, nice & clean. Wait around while it refills incase you have need to readjust the ballcock.

To lag the pipes use the foam insulation you can get from DIY places that plumbers use or else you can tie sacks round and stuff with straw or something, but mice LOVE that.
 
you can use the baby sterilising tablets just pop half of one in when you take the horse out, leave for the started time, or about 15min+ then empty and scrub and rinse, no smell or residue. I also personally, never use them as I agree with Crazy Mare, I monitor the water intake of my nags. Personal choice though.
 
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