I board at a barn that doesnt water horses during the day in winter while they are turned out. I know how bad that is which is why Im posing this question? Has anyone ever made a homemade solar water trough? They dont want to run an extension cord for a tank de-icer, afraid of electrocution/fire. And otherwise the water just freezes solid. We have about 40 head that are using this tank. I was thinking on finding a large tank, either sinking it in a larger tank or building a plywood enclosure around it. painting it black to absorb the heat. Then insulating it with foam board or injectable foam between the layers. I ve seen small tanks for sale, but theyre too expensive and not big enough to be of use. I live in buffalo, NY, so it can get pretty cold. I dont think its right to offer horses only one bucket of water per day. I am trying to find a solution without stepping on toes or ruffling feathers. Moving is not an option. Fotunately, we've never experienced any bad effects from watering this way. But if I can improve it I'd like to try. Any suggestions?

If moving the horse is not an option and they aren't breaking the ice...

Ground the tank properly, offer to pay for the extra electricity, have them get an inground waterer. Nelson makes one that doesn't require electricity and is supposed to stay freeze free. You have a number of options, just a matter of deciding how much work and expense. If this is a boarding facility, it seems that they are not doing their part.

As long as they have water every 8 hours they aren't going to die.  In the winter it might not be safe to leave frozen water bucket out in the pasture.  I personally would not make a big issue out of this, if you take your horse home then you can run your barn as you see fit.

Just ask that they don't put your horse out all day or that they bring him in at noon.