This message is from: Steve McIlree <st...@carriagehorse.com>
Since the waterer thread has sparked some interest, I am going to put in my two cents on what I believe is the smartest waterer design going. We have had a waterer from Bar-Bar A (http://goo.gl/Ez5tv) for about five years and I think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. These look familiar at first glance, there is a paddle in the bowl and when the horses push their noses in it turns on the water for them to drink. That is where the similarity to other waterers ends; the water stands in the bowl for about a minute, then a valve opens and the water drains. Therein lies the advantage to these things, in the summer there is no standing water to grow algae and mosquito larvae, and in the winter there is nothing to freeze. There is of course the additional benefit of no electricity usage and no need for an electrician to install. The drain operates on the same principle as frost free hydrants. The valve system which allows water to flow up to the bowl and then drain back out is installed below the frost line, so water never stands long enough to freeze. When the waterers are installed, a gravel-filled sump is dug below the level of the feed line and valves which catches the water as it drains. So OK these things work in New Mexico, but I live where there is real winter. The Bar-Bar A Website has plenty of testimonials from New England, Canada, Alaska and even one from Norway where the writer says they worked at -32°. I should mention that in the five years we have had one of these waterers installed, the only maintenance required has been to replace a filter one time; a job which took all of twenty minutes. I do not work for or receive any kickbacks from Bar-Bar A, I just believe they have a great product. If you are in need of a practical non-electric freeze free waterer for your horses, I urge you to check them out. -- Steve It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.-- Aristotle 384-322 BC Important FjordHorse List Links: Subscription Management: http://tinyurl.com/5msa7e FH-L Archives: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw FH_L Shirts: http://tinyurl.com/8yky94l
