Background
A premium horse boarding and dressage training facility in southern Finland, stabling 60 horses year-round. The facility caters to competitive riders and breeding mares, requiring consistent care routines regardless of harsh winter conditions. The barn is insulated but unheated, and temperatures regularly drop to -25°C.
Products Featured
Heated water troughs, GPS ear tags (on turnout horses)
The Challenge
Winter water freezing was the single biggest daily headache. Staff spent over two hours each morning breaking ice in paddock troughs and dragging hoses from the heated indoor arena to refill outdoor containers. Horses on 24/7 turnout in large winter paddocks were difficult to check on during short daylight hours. The owner also wanted to track the activity levels of valuable breeding mares during turnout.
Our Solution
We supplied custom stainless steel heated water troughs for the indoor stalls and the main outdoor paddocks, all connected to insulated water lines. Float valves maintained constant water levels automatically. A small number of GPS ear tags were fitted selectively to valuable broodmares and young horses in large turnout groups, allowing remote location and activity checks from the office or phone.
The Result
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Morning labor for winter watering was eliminated entirely — staff could focus on feeding and training.
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Horses drank more consistently, with fewer cases of winter colic reported.
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The owner could check on mares in distant paddocks from her phone without walking the fields in the dark.
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The troughs showed zero corrosion or damage after two full Finnish winters.