As a horse owner, your horses are a constant priority. You do everything possible to keep them healthy and active. Horses, just like all animals, need proper hydration.
The average horse will need 5-10 gallons of water daily. It is easy to see why many horse owners rely on the best automatic horse waterer to keep their horses supplied with plenty of water each day.
This helpful guide will break down the details of our top 7 picks to help you decide which will always be most beneficial for keeping your horses adequately hydrated.
In a hurry? This is our Winner!
Automatic Water Feeder Trough Bowl
- It easily mounts at any height
- Ideal for horses, cattle, and even dogs
- The float system keeps a steady supply of fresh water coming in
Benefits of Using an Automatic Waterer for Horses
Because horses can weigh a thousand pounds or more, their sheer size demands water daily. Water trough maintenance can be highly demanding for horse owners in summer or winter. Dealing with dumping and cleaning the trough every few days is back-breaking work.
Thankfully, horse owners can use the best horse automatic waterer to ensure they always have access to water without the major work involved in properly maintaining a traditional trough. The following offers insight into some benefits of using an automatic waterer.
- An automatic waterer helps to prevent the water from freezing during the winter and keeps it cool and clean during the warmer months. These waterers ensure horses always have access to a clean and healthy water supply.
- Owning an automatic waterer can significantly cut down on time spent maintaining horses. Most horse owners do not realize how much time they spend on this chore until they are free of it.
- Automatic waterers help to cut down on wasted water drastically. Water sitting in a trough can quickly become stagnant and need to be dumped, wasting the supply. There is much less waste with an automatic waterer.
- With this type of horse waterer, there is no longer a need to lug a heavy hose to the pasture to water your horses.
Our Favorite Automatic Waterer Reviews
Image | Product | Features | Price |
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Our Top Pick
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Automatic Water Feeder Trough Bowl |
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Homend Automatic Waterer Bowl |
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rabbit nipples Large Automatic Waterer |
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Automatic Farm Grade Stainless Stock Waterer Horse |
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Brower MK32N Super Insulated Unheated Livestock Waterer |
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Ritchie Omni Fount 2 Automatic Heated Cattle |
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Little Giant 88ESW Automatic Waterer |
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Top 7 Picks for Automatic Horse Waterer -Updated for 2022
We understand you do not have the time to wade through countless websites looking for information on horse automatic waterer reviews. So, here we’ll give details on the best.
#1) RabbitNipples Large Automatic Waterer for Horses
If you are looking for a heavy-duty waterer that will not rust and offers a steady supply of clean water, this is the ideal waterer to meet your needs. Some galvanized waterers tend to rust over time, which is why we prefer this heavy-duty nylon waterer with UV protection.
This horse waterer holds about 4 liters of water, which equates to about 1.05 gallons. This automatic waterer can easily be mounted at any height and can be used for all types of farm animals.
We like the drain plug on this waterer because it allows us to easily drain the water to clean out the waterer vessel.
When it comes time to clean the waterer, unscrew the drain plug, and you will quickly have access to the vessel to clean it thoroughly.
This is a sizeable waterer with the following dimensions: 11.5” x 10.75” x 5”. The size makes it ideal for large horses, cows, and any other type of farm animal. All you need to do is mount it and hook up a water hose so your horses will have a steady supply of fresh water that does not become stagnant or go to waste.
#2) Homend Automatic Waterer Bowl Farm Grade Stainless Stock Waterer Horse
This heavy-duty stainless steel horse waterer is ideal for farms of all types. It is made precisely for horses and cattle and will hold up to a lot of abuse.
The Homend automatic waterer works with a special float that controls when the water supply is opened. As your horses drink, new water replaces what they consume, so there is always a fresh and healthy supply available, no matter how much they drink.
With the two openings, this horse waterer can easily be mounted from the rear. You can place it at any height, depending on the size of your horses.
We were quite impressed with the design of this waterer and how it was highly polished and smoothed, so it will not cause any irritation to your horses.
You can purchase this automatic horse waterer with a drain hole or without. We highly recommend purchasing the waterer with the drain hole because it is much easier to clean.
This waterer operates with a safe 1-50 psi, so you do not have to worry about purchasing a special hose. All you need is a standard garden hose, and the hook-up is simple.
#3) Lucky Farm Automatic Water Feeder Trough Bowl with Pipe for Horses
Lucky Farm makes one of the best automatic waterers for horses, and we were thrilled to try it out. The design is simple and straightforward, which is what most horse owners look for when it comes to waterers. A complicated watering system is only going to mean more maintenance.
This waterer is made from heavy-gauge stainless steel, resistant to corrosion and rust. This horse waterer stays clean and sanitary and requires minimal cleaning and maintenance. The heavy-duty materials also mean your horses will not turn their waterer into a chew toy.
Like most automatic horse waterers, Lucky Farm includes a floater system that replaces the water your horses drink, so there is always a steady amount. With this watering system, there is much less water waste, and you never have to worry about your horse’s water supply going stagnant.
The dimensions for this waterer are 28cm X 27cm X 13cm, so there is plenty of room. We liked this waterer so much we decided to purchase another one for our big Huskies who want to play outdoors and run around the farm during the summer. Trust us: This waterer will save you time and aggravation.
#4) RabbitNipples Farm-Grade Stainless Stock Waterer Horse
You have a lot of choices when it comes to competing brands of automatic horse waterers. RabbitNipples.com provides this horse waterer, and it offers everything you need in a horse waterer.
We have purchased from RabbitNipples quite a lot and have found all their products superior. This stainless steel waterer is meant to last and will hold up against all weather extremes and even rambunctious horses. We put it to the test, and it shined.
The adjustable float helps to ensure your horses have a steady supply of fresh water available to them at all times. The hook-up is simple; all you need is a standard water hose.
To mount this automatic horse waterer, you will need lag bolts or U bolts, which can be mounted at any height. The dimensions of this waterer are 11 x 5 x 10 inches.
The connection is ½ inch and can be mounted on the right or left side, depending on your needs. Once hooked up, you will never have to worry about your horses running out of fresh water or the water becoming stagnant and filled with algae.
#5) Brower MK32N Super Insulated Unheated Livestock Waterer
This horse waterer supplies your horses with a steady water supply that remains unfrozen in the winter. The heavily insulated waterer has two sides and provides water for up to 25 horses or 40 small ponies.
This Brower model is eighteen inches high to hold plenty of water for all your horses. Constructed with polyurethane foam insulation, this waterer can keep your horse’s water supply free-flowing, even when temperatures drop low, which they often do where our farm is located.
The plug allows you to drain the water in the waterer with ease. Although this model is non-heated, it is insulated.
The water inside will likely not freeze unless temperatures drop to the extreme. Brower does have a model that is heated. We liked the design of this horse waterer because much of our barn and stables are also red. You will find this horse waterer looks attractive no matter where it is mounted.
The rounded design of the troughs ensures your horses will not become injured or irritated while drinking water. Some water troughs are not rounded, and this can cause cuts and abrasions that could become infected.
#6) Ritchie Omni Automatic Heated Horse Waterer
Ritchie Omni is another name many farmers rely on, and I am one of them. This automatic horse waterer will be helpful if you live in a cold climate, as I do. With the heater, you will never have to worry about your horse’s water freezing again.
This product is the blending of Ritchie Omni’s insulated and stainless steel waterers. I believe they have come up with the best of both worlds here.
With the fast refill valve, this double trough offers enough water supply to take care of up to 40 horses. Two horses can drink water at once.
I like the front access panel that gives easy access to the water heater components and lines. This panel makes it easy to perform any maintenance tasks that might be needed.
This OmniFount can be easily mounted and hooked to your electric and water lines. Once everything is hooked up, your horses will always have a steady water supply, and you will not have to worry about freezing during cold temperatures.
With an 18-inch drinking height, your horses will have no problems accessing the water they need. Ritchie Omni is a name horse owners can rely on entirely.
#7) Little Giant Automatic Horse Waterer
If you are looking for the best automatic horse waterer, you need to look no further. This automatic waterer’s dimensions are 18 x 15 x 12 inches.
This horse waterer operates at 20-50 psi, so it can be used with a pressure hose of typical values. The bucket holds 16 quarts of water. The classic floater system consistently replaces water as your horses drink.
The Little Giant was easy to install, but you must purchase the mounting hardware. Like many well-designed automatic horse waterers, this model comes with a drain plug that allows you to drain the water for cleaning with mild soap.
We sometimes find that our horses like to play around and run their heads into water troughs. With this design, you will not have to worry about horse injuries, and the construction of the waterer is tough enough to avoid damage, even if your horses start to play around.
This horse waterer is the perfect addition to the farm for watering horses, cattle, and even your dogs. Easy cleaning and operation cannot go wrong with this Little Giant model.
Things to Consider Before You Buy an Automatic Waterer
Knowing what to look for in an automatic waterer is essential. If you are tired of lugging big buckets of water and dumping and cleaning the watering trough, then purchasing the best automatic waterer for horses is wise.
Durable Materials
When searching for an automatic horse waterer, durable materials are essential. If you have owned horses before, you know how rough they can be on watering troughs and other equipment. Choosing a waterer made of durable materials will help you avoid having your horse destroy the waterer in a short amount of time.
Rounded Edges
No horse owner wants to see their horse injured, especially when it can be prevented. In the past, livestock waterers sometimes had rough edges that caused horses irritation, cuts, and abrasions. Today, most manufacturers work to make sure their waterers are manufactured with smooth edges that will not cause any injuries.
Easily Mounted
Most automatic horse waterers will need to be mounted because they are not the type that can sit on the ground. Choosing a waterer that is easy to install is crucial, so you will not have any trouble with installation. Before mounting, place the intake on the side nearest your water supply. It is essential to follow the directions for the best installation carefully.
Heated
If you live in a cold climate, you will want to purchase a heated model or at least one fully insulated. We’ve all had frozen stock tanks or hoses, meaning we are now carrying water buckets MUCH farther than I care to haul them! (Anyone else ever says something naughty to a water bucket? Just me?)
Ritchie Omni makes an excellent heated horse waterer, and it is a brand you can rely on to keep the water flowing, even in the dead of winter.
Measurements
You will need to pay careful attention to the measurements to ensure the waterer will provide enough water depth for your horses. All the models we reviewed contain plenty of water storage for several horses, and many promises to offer water supply for up to 40 horses.
Cleaning
Knowing how difficult it will be to clean the horse waterer is vital. Many of the water bowls we have introduced are very easy to clean, and some even have valves, drains, and access panels that make this chore much more accessible.
Automatic Water Vs. Buckets: Which Is the Best?
I once was a bucket-only horse farmer. I would haul buckets back and forth for horses, which took a lot of work. I once believed this was the only way to ensure my horses had fresh, cool water to drink in the grass pastures. I often found myself with cracked buckets and frozen water in the winter.
When it comes to comparing automatic waterers to bucket systems, there is no contest. Automated systems will provide your horses with a constant supply of fresh water that never runs out. As they drink, the water refills. Because clean water is continuously being introduced, there is no longer a problem with stagnation and algae growth.
Now that I am using automatic horse waterers, I often wonder how I survived without them. They are much easier to keep clean, and I do not have to worry about my horses running out of water or having to drink stagnant water that could endanger their health.
FAQ About Automatic Horse Waterers
We get a lot of questions about the products we use and recommend, and we love passing on information. Because we see a lot of the same questions being asked about automatic horse waterers, we figured it would be easy to share them so everyone can benefit from our answers.
1. How should you clean an automatic horse waterer?
You should never use harsh chemicals when cleaning your horse waterer because these can be left behind, even with careful rinsing. I use plain dishwashing soap, which seems to do just fine. Ensure to cut off the water supply and drain the water before cleaning.
2. Do I need to leave my water running?
With an automatic horse waterer, you will need to always leave your water supply on. The floater system will act as your horse drinks. The horse waterer will eventually dry out if you do not leave the water supply on.
3. Will horse waterers freeze up?
It is important to note that cold extremes can cause the floaters in these automatic waterers to freeze up and break. You can purchase heated or insulated models, and we recommend this for cold climates to avoid the waterer malfunction.
Final Thoughts
Any of the above horse waterers will offer you a high level of service and time-saving. Regarding the best automatic horse waterer, you cannot go wrong with Ritchie Omnie or Rabbit Nipples.
Installing one of the above automatic horse waterers will save you tons of time and ensure your horses have access to the clean and healthy water supply they need for good health. These waterers are easy to clean and require very little maintenance. The floaters and adapters can almost always be replaced, should they become damaged over the years.
Read our horse automatic waterer reviews and click the links to learn more. No matter which you choose, you will find these waterers to be a fantastic addition to your horse care regime.