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Post by Susan on Jan 6, 2009 14:15:29 GMT 1
In Stables
Put yout water buckets inside a larger bucket or trug or container. First line that with either bedding/Old towels/old pillow fillings at the base and lots at the sides. Then when you have water bucket filled pack more insulation around the sides. If you can stand on some wood/rubber/ polystyene tiles or stand on bedding even better so off the floor. Try to not have against outside wall will also help.
I keep old pillow and cushions as the filling is always useful for something like this.
Another idea, I did use a coat bought for me that was awful I undid the lining at the base and filled it with straw and then wrapped that all around my water container and tied it well in place. You could use those elastic straps. So anything like this can also be used.
If you have an old rug beyond repair that can be used.
I have rubber mats and they help but in these really low temps water has still frozen inside the stables if not insulated and we have inside stables inside a barn.
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speedy
Grand Prix Poster
Once I was a racehorse...
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Post by speedy on Jan 6, 2009 15:12:28 GMT 1
Any tips for field water buckets? My mare's on 24/7 TO and the buckets are so thick with ice that they won't break anymore. I'm taking a thermos of boiling water up there to melt some for her but it doesn't stay melted for long. It's the only thing I really hate about this weather!
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Post by wabuska on Jan 6, 2009 15:37:20 GMT 1
Lol. Remind me not to give you the wrong coat!
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Post by Emma R on Jan 6, 2009 20:57:19 GMT 1
Any tips for field water buckets? My mare's on 24/7 TO and the buckets are so thick with ice that they won't break anymore. I'm taking a thermos of boiling water up there to melt some for her but it doesn't stay melted for long. It's the only thing I really hate about this weather! I've heard that leaving a tennis ball in water can help stop it freezing. Not actually tried it though. If you break the ice and then take the biggest lumps out that helps stop it freezing so think but it's a horrid job and you will have to top your water up more often.
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Post by mags on Jan 6, 2009 20:58:45 GMT 1
Im going to take a tennis ball down tomorrow to try!
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gixer
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My lil dressage superstar
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Post by gixer on Jan 6, 2009 21:58:44 GMT 1
the ball trick is usually so you dont have to break the ice, just remove ball to give access to water! Rio has sussed the a swift tap of her field bucket with hind leg frees off her water supply! clever mare
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hdonna
Olympic Poster
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Post by hdonna on Jan 6, 2009 22:04:43 GMT 1
I have been trying with one and two tennis balls all winter and they don't seem to make any difference
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Post by The fatty will always remain on Jan 6, 2009 22:07:43 GMT 1
my mum was thinking of using rubber ducks instead of tennis balls. just for her amusement!
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ms
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Post by ms on Jan 6, 2009 22:35:44 GMT 1
No idea if this actually works but someone told me today that if you smear a very thin layer of vaseline around the inside of a clean, dry water bucket ( put it on a tissue / sponge or similar) it will slow down the rate of the water freezing; the theory is that water forms ice crystals which adhere to the sides of the bucket and it gradually freezes over inwards, the vaseline stops the ice crystals sticking to the sides so impairing the freezing process... As I said I've no idea if its true or not but I'm going to try it tomorrow, all our indoor water buckets were frozen this morning which was a pain.
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daisysp8
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People only see what they are prepared to see
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Post by daisysp8 on Jan 6, 2009 23:12:55 GMT 1
I have been trying with one and two tennis balls all winter and they don't seem to make any difference I`ve been doing this too ... when it was "just" touching on freezing, it did actually work, the layer of ice was so thin the tinest touch of Storms nose broke the ice ... But since the temp has really dropped its not making much difference at all, the ice today was about 2 inches thick
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Post by Susan on Jan 6, 2009 23:18:08 GMT 1
Regards water buckest in fields why not try insulating them with my ideas and add some of your own, nothing ventured nothing gained. I am sure if you could make a box insulated enough with sheets of polystyrene and or with bubble wrap old/coats/old pillows/old rugs, items filled with straw and ensure the base is well insulated you would stand a far better chance of it not tottally freezing. Even add the idea of smearing something similar to vasaline ( I dont like that product it is made from bad things!) but hey what about lard before water is added to the bucket/trug..
I have tonight got out an old under rug which was not used to stand my water trugs on in the stable and against the wall to help keep off the worse from the outside wall of the barn. We did get a few ice particles on the top.But not forzen. As I explained my water is inside another larger trug insulated with bedding. I used paper so it was lots of that.
Kanga.. I hate to waste things as I often talk about or my make do and mend attitude, so just because I wouldnt wear it doesnt mean it got no use. My Mum didnt see my use of it sadly in the same way I did.LOL. I am sure if you gave me a coat I would find a great use for it..Honest..
ms.. well you know how to stop all your indoor water buckets freezing now let us know if your idea you heard of works but failing that try mine.
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emi
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Post by emi on Jan 6, 2009 23:29:51 GMT 1
I added some hot water into Conn's buckets today in the hope that it would take at least a bit longer to freeze, packed straw around it and put his distraction aid ball into one (because I didn't have a tennis ball!) and then I stuck a day's dosage of electrosalts into one bucket, not because he needs them but because I'm pretty sure salt lowers water's freezing point, it's all worth a try!!
I don't think it's possible to completely stop them freezing since temps are getting down to -8 here, just best to try and prolong the process so pones can get a bit more water time!
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Post by Susan on Jan 6, 2009 23:49:29 GMT 1
Apparently hot/warm water freezes sooner! I am sure it was on one of those science programmes a frew years back.
Salt water does not freeze but it needs quite a lot of salt like sea water.. and you do not want to drink that.. not sure if the electrolites will cause an issue though.
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babycham
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Post by babycham on Jan 7, 2009 1:50:33 GMT 1
i stick a football in mine the light black and white type, cost about a £1.
I pinched the idea from my dad that has a massive fish pond in his garden , and has done it for years.
On arrival to the yard, remove the ball, making it quicker to break ice!
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babycham
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Post by babycham on Jan 7, 2009 1:57:58 GMT 1
A light football works better , as it will keep moving if any breeze, so stops water freezing, also covers a bigger area than a tennis ball, so might be worth try. or a 2 litre empty pop bottle might work or the the 4 pint plastic milk bottle. anything light, that will keep moving (can have rope and a small weight added if in a deep trough, which shouldnt blow away if very windy).
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