3 Epic Heated Water Buckets for Horses Reviewed

What is a Heated Equine Water Bucket?

Heated water buckets for horses are pieces of equipment that keep horses from becoming dehydrated. Every equestrian dreads wintertime ice buildup in their horse’s water pail. Fortunately, these heated water buckets for horses will simplify your job when it gets below freezing.

The best-heated water buckets for horses and livestock prevent water from freezing over while yet allowing your horse to drink from them freely. 

Horse drinking water

Our Favorite Heated Water Bucket

Using a heated water bucket is something you and your horse may benefit from. Breaking ice takes a lot of time; depending on how much ice has developed, it may even be challenging.

When buckets freeze solid, it can be an issue for horse owners because the animals won’t have access to fresh water to drink. When this happens, horses risk dehydrating, which can lead to colic and other health issues. Some horses do not like to drink extremely cold water, even if there is little to no ice present.

If you have a heated bucket, you do not need to worry about any ice developing inside the bucket. The horses will appreciate the warmer water. Our favorite is the Farm Innovators Heated Bucket. It is long-lasting and safe to use.

An Overview of the Best Heated Water Buckets for Horses

  1. Farm Innovators Heated Bucket: Best overall heated water bucket for horses 
  2. API Heated Bucket Heated Flat Back Bucket: Best durable heated water bucket for horses  
  3. Stainless Steel Automatic Heated Water Bowl with Float Valve Water Trough Pet Thermal-Bowl: Best rust-resistant heated water bucket for horses
API® Heated Bucket | Heated Flat Back Bucket | Heated Water Bucket for Livestock | Winter Water Bucket | 10 Quart
Farm Innovators 24 Quart Plastic Flat Back Heated Bucket with Metal Handle, Built in Thermostat, and Hidden Cord Compartment, 120 Watt
Stainless Steel Automatic Heated Water Bowl with Float Valve Water Trough Pet Thermal-Bowl for Livestock Cattle Dog Goat Pig Horse
Product name
API® Heated Bucket | Heated Flat Back Bucket | Heated Water Bucket for Livestock | Winter Water Bucket | 10 Quart
Farm Innovators 24 Quart Plastic Flat Back Heated Bucket with Metal Handle, Built in Thermostat, and Hidden Cord Compartment, 120 Watt
Stainless Steel Automatic Heated Water Bowl with Float Valve Water Trough Pet Thermal-Bowl for Livestock Cattle Dog Goat Pig Horse
Price
$60.42
$52.00
$49.87
API® Heated Bucket | Heated Flat Back Bucket | Heated Water Bucket for Livestock | Winter Water Bucket | 10 Quart
Product name
API® Heated Bucket | Heated Flat Back Bucket | Heated Water Bucket for Livestock | Winter Water Bucket | 10 Quart
Price
$60.42
Buy Now
Farm Innovators 24 Quart Plastic Flat Back Heated Bucket with Metal Handle, Built in Thermostat, and Hidden Cord Compartment, 120 Watt
Product name
Farm Innovators 24 Quart Plastic Flat Back Heated Bucket with Metal Handle, Built in Thermostat, and Hidden Cord Compartment, 120 Watt
Price
$52.00
Buy Now
Stainless Steel Automatic Heated Water Bowl with Float Valve Water Trough Pet Thermal-Bowl for Livestock Cattle Dog Goat Pig Horse
Product name
Stainless Steel Automatic Heated Water Bowl with Float Valve Water Trough Pet Thermal-Bowl for Livestock Cattle Dog Goat Pig Horse
Price
$49.87
Buy Now

How To Choose Your Heated Water Buckets

Suppose you plan on acquiring items such as heated water buckets for horses. Therefore, you need to use a buyer’s guide to make the most informed decision possible. Before you make a purchase, some qualities have to satisfy your expectations. Let’s begin by taking a look at the following, shall we?

Price

The cost is the first thing you should look at if you are trying to determine how you can obtain the best deal possible. After that, compare the prices offered by the various vendors, and choose the one that is the most suitable for your requirements among those that you find.

Brand

The second thing that you should think about when it comes to acquiring a horse water tank heater is the brand that you want to get. Determine how to differentiate between the various brands available to make the most informed decision.

Warranty

In addition, it is essential to consider the warranty with the hot water buckets. Nobody wants to throw away their hard-earned cash on a product that doesn’t even last for the entire month it was in the advertisement.

Functionality

Be sure to investigate the functionality of the hot water buckets you intend to purchase before making your purchase. Examining the technical specs is a fast and uncomplicated method for achieving that goal. 

Keep in mind that the width of the specifications has a direct bearing on the functionality of your product and that this functionality will rise in direct proportion to the breadth of the specifications.

Size

You must be familiar with the size and measurements of the warm water buckets. If it does not fit properly, the product will be useless, and you cannot use it. Consequently, conducting a preliminary study on the product size is strongly advisable.

Color

Think about the fact that you can buy heated water buckets with a color that does not appeal to your sense of aesthetics if you don’t give this some thought. That would be the same as if you were to dump your money down the drain. 

As a result of this, it is vital to keep track of the color preferences you have. After that, at a later time, check to see if they are available for purchase through the online store.

Feedback Provided by Our Previous Clients

Most intelligent purchasers would behave this way if given a chance. It is a clever strategy to check whether or not the product in issue is of authentic quality. 

Horse drinking water from buckets

Our Heated Equine Water Bucket Reviews

During winter, ensuring your horses are drinking and staying hydrated becomes critical. Equine water heaters are frequently in use on farms, but many owners fail to consider the potential safety hazards associated with these goods. Even if you’ve used these goods long, a few minor adjustments might make them safer.

Farm Innovators Heated Bucket: Best Overall Heated Water Bucket for Horses

Brand: Farm Innovators

Color/s: Green

Material: Plastic

Capacity: 120 watts

Cord length: 5 feet (1.5 meters)

Weight: 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms)

Dimensions: 15.5 x 15.5 x 14 inches (39.4 x 39.4 x 35.6 centimeters)

About This Item

This long-lasting heated bucket with a flat back is the perfect accessory for hanging in a horse’s stall. It is risk-free due to a heavy-duty “anti-chew” metal spring within the five feet  (1.5 meters) long power cable, preventing chewing.

The thermostat that controls the 120-watt heater ensures that it will only turn on when necessary. It starts working at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) and stops working at a temperature of approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 degrees Celsius). 

Because it has a compartment at the base where it conceals the cable when not in use, you can utilize the bucket without difficulty throughout the entire year. This compartment is underneath the bucket.

The bucket can hold a capacity of two, three, four, and a half, or even five gallons; however, the capacity of five gallons is the one that is advisable for horse stalls. In addition to that, you may get it in rubber or plastic as well. Read our article and find out 7 Horse Stall Fans to FIGHT Off the Summer Heat.

Why We Think You Should Buy This Product

  • A bucket with a flat back is the best kind to use for hanging in horse stalls.
  • The power cable has heavy-duty material to resist chewing, with a length of five feet (1.5 meters).
  • The thermostatically regulated 120-watt heater kicks on at 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius) and turns off at 60 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 degrees Celsius). 

Features

  • When placed on the wall, the flat back offers increased stability.
  • It is under the control of a thermostat that only activates when necessary (on at 35 degrees Fahrenheit (1.1 degrees Celsius), off at 60 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 degrees Celsius).
  • The one-of-a-kind “hide-away” chord compartment hides the cord for use throughout the year.
  • It has a heavy-duty cord protector with an “anti-chew” coating.
  • It has heavy-duty bail with connectors.
  • A pour spout that prevents spills and a table of measurements.

API Heated Bucket Heated Flat Back Bucket: Best Durable Heated Water Bucket for Horses

Brand: API

Color: Blues & purples

Material: Plastic

Item weight: 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms)

Item dimensions: 14 x 10 x 14 inches (35.6 x 25.4 x 35.6 centimeters)

Capacity: 10 quarts (9.5 liters)

Cord length: 6 inches (15.2 centimeters)

About This Item

On farms and ranches worldwide, one of the most popular buckets is the little giant flat-back. You may fold the flat-back into a smaller space for easier hanging on a wall or fence, making it much simpler to transport oversized cargo. 

These buckets have a polyethylene resin material that is resistant to impact, safeguards against warpage, and contributes to preventing stress cracks. 

This heavy-duty wire bail has a notch for hanging, and the stacking ribs allow easy separation of the pails from one another when stacked. It has a diameter of 14 inches (35.6 centimeters) and a height of 13 inches (12.3 centimeters), and it can carry 20 quarts (18.9 liters).

This water heater for equine troughs is thermostatically controlled and has over-temperature protection to ensure the water does not become excessively hot. The plastic bucket has extremely durable polyethylene resin resistant to impact, protects against warpage, and helps avoid stress cracks. Additionally, the resin is warpage resistant and protects against stress cracks.

This bucket can hold and heat up to 20 quarts (18.9 liters) of liquid. This item features a sheathed power cord that is chew-proof and measures 6 inches (15.2 centimeters) long.

Features

  • Heated flat back bucket, 5 gallons (18.9 liters), 115 watts, allied precision model 20FB.
  • It is a bucket with a heater.
  • Excellent for horses and other large dogs as well.
  • Uses a thermostat.
  • It will prevent ice formation on the water even when temperatures are below zero.
  • The heater is somewhere within the bucket’s walls.
  • The flat back allows it to hang up in a stall quickly and easily.

Stainless Steel Automatic Heated Water Bowl with Float Valve Water Trough Pet Thermal-Bowl: Best Rust-Resistant Heated Water Bucket for Horses

Brand: Normal

Color/s: Silver

Capacity: 10 quarts (9.5 liters)

Cord length: 5.5 feet (1.7 meters)

Material: Stainless steel

Item weight: 4.18 pounds (1.9 kilograms)

Item dimensions: 9.84 x 3.94 x 10.63 inches (25 x 10 x 27 centimeters)

About This Item

The thermal bowl is of 304 stainless steel, making it long-lasting, rust-resistant, and simple to clean. You can easily clean the drinking bowl and dispose of waste thanks to the drain hole at the bottom of the water bowls. This facilitates maintaining a sanitary environment for the animals to consume water.

You may adjust this bowl’s temperature, explicitly designed for use in snow and other wintry conditions. Even if there is snow outside, the heating bowl will prevent the water from freezing, so your livestock, pet, or other stray animals will still have access to drinkable water. To prevent pets from chewing on the cord, it has steel encased in a substance resistant to wear.

To achieve a consistent water level effect, use the floating water level of the float principle to regulate the water inlet and outlet switches. Remove the lid to access the float valve if you want to alter the water level. Loosen the plastic nut on the float valve, adjust the float’s position by moving it up or down, and then retighten the plastic nut.

You can use this large heated automatic waterer for cattle, horses, sheep, dogs, and other animals. Suitable for use on farms, as well as for home pets and other animals. The water bowls come equipped with a drain hole at the bottom, making it easy for you to clean the bowl and maintain a sanitary drinking environment for your cattle. Specifically, these:

A heated pet water dish prevents water from freezing, even at -20 degrees Fahrenheit (-0.6 degrees Celsius), and ensures that your animal companion stays hydrated regardless of the temperature outside.

This blue heated water bowl holds 96 ounces (2,721 grams) of water and consumes only 25 watts of power. It has BPA-free plastic and is energy efficient. The quality heated water bowl has a steel-wrapped abrasion-resistant chord that is 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) long, and all the electronics are safe inside the bowl.

Thermostatically regulated to switch on and off as needed automatically; we recommend installing in a protected area to protect against wind. Thermostatically controlled to turn on and off as required automatically.

We don’t simply use parts checked for safety; we certify the whole product as secure. This heated water bowl has been under examination and approved by MET Labs. It satisfies or exceeds the requirements for electrical safety outlined in the USA and California.

Designed by K&H, a company with over 20 years of experience producing safe, cutting-edge, high-quality goods.

Important Safety Advice for Using Water Buckets and Heated Troughs

Are you using your heated water troughs and buckets on your farm safely? Take a moment to confirm that you adhere to these safety measures as you winterize your barn.

Start with An Electrician

Have an electrician check the electrical system in your barn before you start plugging in your 5-gallon heated bucket and trough heater. There are still many non-GFCI outlets in old barns, which you must change before using these goods properly. 

Additionally, it’s a good idea to have your wiring thoroughly tested and to confirm that your electrical system can support the additional power demands brought on by several heaters.

Read the Manufacturers Instructions

Adherence to the manufacturer’s installation recommendations for grounding and heater placement is crucial. You must cage the heater when installing it in a plastic heated water trough for horses; otherwise, it can melt and even catch fire. Additionally, this cage aids in shielding interested horses’ noses from flames.

You can ground your horses’ drinking trough to prevent electric shocks. Many manufacturers advise setting up a grounding rod and attaching the copper wire. After that, you can ground the tank by running the copper wire into the bottom of the tank.

If you’ve long since thrown away your product’s instructions, you can discover the manuals online by searching for the model number. You can also contact the manufacturer by phone or email to give you the handbook for your product.

Protect Electrical Cords

Make sure to place the cord so horses cannot get it when installing a heated water trough or bucket. If the cord is within a horse’s reach, cover it with PVC, anti-chew springs, or another material to keep it safe.

Use the Right Outlets

Only use a GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlet to plug in a bucket or trough heater. The GFCI outlet keeps track of the power your heater uses and the electricity that is returning through the outlet. 

The outlet will turn off the power if there is a problem with the heater and it suddenly uses more electricity than is being returned. This can lessen the possibility of shocking you or a horse. Numerous heater manufacturers advise against using an extension cable with their products. 

You must regularly check extension cables for damage because they can lead to various problems. There can be overloading on extension cords, so if you’re using them outside, you should get heavy-duty cables made to withstand the elements and the electrical load they’ll be carrying.

An improved solution is to hire an electrician to run an underground electrical conduit out to your paddocks if you’re running through warmers outdoors. In a covered outdoor electrical box, request the installation of a GFCI outlet from the electrician. 

Then, you won’t have to bother about stringing extension cords through the yard because you can plug your heater straight into the outlet.

Frequently Inspect and Change Heaters

Heaters for water troughs and water heater buckets can degrade with time. Before installing them each year, examine them for wear, such as frayed cords and loose pieces. Replace the damaged product with a new one. 

Many horses will refuse to drink if a trough heater leaks current into the trough as it ages. Keep an eye out for these indicators, and if you think there may be an electrical leak into the trough, unhook the heater (don’t touch the water yourself), and then replace it with a new one to see if that fixes the issue.

Girl filling the water bucket

Final Thoughts

We hope this guide makes the purchasing process of heated water buckets easier for you. Therefore, follow it to secure the top offers. In the winter, no equestrian looks forward to breaking ice in their horse’s water bucket. 

When the temperature drops below freezing, you’ll be thankful to have these heated water buckets for your horses because they’ll simplify your life. Your horse can freely drink clean water since heated water buckets for horses and animals will prevent the water from icing over, keeping it safe from the dangers of hypothermia. 

When the temperature drops, you won’t have to waste time and energy breaking the ice since they will do it for you. Also, conduct an internal investigation to learn more about the most effective heated water buckets. Then, give it a shot, and report back to us regarding whether or not you found our detailed guide to be helpful.

We recommend the Farm Innovators Heated Bucket for your horse. It is the best as it will give your horse the best service and you will get value for your money.