Conference noted::equitation

    Heaters that are not submerged can be damaged or ruined by their
    own heat.  You need to find a way to keep it secured in the trough.
    I had the same problem last year but have now cured it by making
    a conduit for the power cord.  If you take a 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe
    and extend it down into the water (for submersible heaters).  Add
    an elbow and another piece of PVC to the plug socket.  You can make
    the whole thing secure by clamping the PVC to the side of the trough.
    It should look like this:
    
                                     /--------____ Plug
                                    / /-------
                                    | |
                                    | | 
                                    | |
                Heater  ->  _________|
    
                          
    I don't use heaters in the barn at any time because of fire danger.
    
    
    Regards,
    
    Bob
    
    
    

    I was giving thought as to how to keep water from freezing and without
    using electricity, well at least not in the stall itself. My idea
    was to use a fish tank pump and tubing submerged in the bucket.
    This would definately keep water from freezing and at less than
    a buck a month to use as appose to electric windings which would
    cost at least twice as much and are dangerous to use as you mentioned.
    The water temp. would still be quite low but at least there is water
    and not ice.
    
    What do you think, might be worth trying? I have tried the idea
    just to see how the horse would act drinking from a bubbling bucket.
    Found that he couldn't care less but he was a little nervious at
    first.
    
    Also think of what it would cost for the pump, $10.00 at the most
    and is reliable for a 2 year period running 24 hours a day.
      

    The floating kinds of tank heaters can also burn the nose of the
    horse.  They also only keep the area around them free of ice, not
    the whole talk.  So about 3 or 4 years ago we bought the kind of
    heater where the element is submerged.  It attaches to the side
    of the tank and we remove it every spring.  It heats the water
    down under causing circulation which I guess keeps ice from forming.
    We like it alot and so far the horses have not messed with it.
    I think we paid about $40 or $50 for it.
    
    Sherry

    I'm not sure if the fishtank pump idea would work.  My husband
    keeps fish for his hobby, and it is not that easy to keep an airhose
    in the tank.  You would have to wait down the hose, they sell airstones
    that do the job but airstones clog up and need to be cleaned weekly.
    
    The small fish pumps will probably only handle one water bucket.
    The dust in the barn will clog the filter so this will probably
    have to be kept clean weekly. ( the cheeper pumps do not have
    replaceable filters ). If you buy the cheep dimestore varity of
    pump you will be lucky if it last 2 years. If you buy the nice
    pump ( replacable filters and diapharms ) it will last but it will
    cost for 15 to 25 per pump and you will need a pump per bucket.
    
    If you buy a large pump and try to have it airiate more then
    one bucket you will get so fed up with adjusting the airflow
    that you would go back to the heater.
    
    I read a nice easy idea in practicle horseman last year. The idea
    was to put the water in a thermal containor, they said that it
    would keep the water from freezing.
    
    MAW

    To hold the tube in the water, just drill a small hole large enough
    to use a peice of string to secure to tube. In the winter, the tube
    will be stiff so it won't come to the surface. Also in my case,
    a three-way-splitter (not controllable valve) for three stalls,
    and locate the splitter so there is three equal length tubes to
    each bucket. And locate the pump somewhere not dusty for example,
    the tack room. 
    
    All you need is a little air at the bucket to keep the water
    circulating. In our case with three horses running at approx. 100
    deg. per and the barn closed up tight, there should be no frozen
    buckets. I used a cheap $10.00 pump to try it on one bucket and
    it worked great with plenty of air to spare! Also keep in mind, your 
    spending $30.00-50.00 on a heater that could cook your animals
    well-done if the barn burned, or like someone mentioned, burn the 
    poor fellows nose.
    
    The pump is only used in extreme cold for a few months-if the pump
    lasts for two years running 24 hours a day and you only use it for
    4 months, you should get 6 years out of it anyways. The only problem
    is the rubber diaphram may get hard and split. Nothing a moisturizing
    cream or vasoline couldn't cure. Not bad for $10.00 compared to $50.00
    and your meat stays rare. 
    
    I think the idea is great, cheap and almost worth copyrighting,
    if only I thought of the pump first, although I had an idea for
    a home generator using car alternators, 12 volt batt. and a briggs.
    I was to late again for I saw the plans in a magazine for $400.00.
    ALWAYS TO LATE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but if someone takes it this
    far, I want a cut$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$  ha ha