Frozen Tap. Handy hint.

[TrasaM]

The water tap froze last weekend and whilst we were busy carrying water from the neighbours across the road to water the horses one of the other neighbours who's a keen gardener came up with the solution. Horse manure! We pushed a bin with a hole in the bottom down over the standing pipe and filled it with fresh dung. Of course once we needed the horses to poo they went on a go slow ! Typical! Any other time and we would have been busy scooping out every few minutes.
The top of the pipe is covered in some lagging from an old water tank and so far no freeze.

Just passing this on in case there are others in the same situation.

 

[HardySoul1]

This really works, used it on old yard. Would recommend bit of straw or other soiled bedding mixed with droppings to keep it rotting and creating heat. Pure fresh droppings are highest in water content so could freeze easier.

 

[TrasaM]

Thank you .. I'll remember that next time. We used fresh dung but so far it has worked

 

[poops]

I always use poo & straw, never fails & costs nothing. x

 

[Charlie77]

Sheep fleece! My pipe has a big fat plastic pipe over it, i just shove half a fleece inside to lag it. The top tap i wrap more fleece and a plastic bag over the top! My mum act sheep so easy, but most fleece only sell for about a pound if asked im sure most farmers would let you have one x just ask in the spring before they get a hair cut