✓Reviewed by Ann Pruitt, InfoHorse.com·Updated May 2026
Bar-Bar-A Non-Electric Horse Waterer on InfoHorse.com
Frank Frodsham, the inventor of the " Bar-Bar-A Drinker" , had boarded horses for years. Back in the winter of 1982 he had 3 animals that just wouldn't eat or drink. He had installed the latest electrically heated drinkers to prevent freezing. He had the veterinarian over and nether of them could figure out a solution.
Bar~Bar~A Non-Electric Horse Waterer!
Cool water in the hot summer and warm water in the cold winter…all this AND Self- Cleaning! If your horse could talk, he would order one right now!
How Did the "Bar-Bar-A Drinker" Come About?
Frank Frodsham, the inventor of the " Bar-Bar-A Drinker", had boarded horses for years. Back in the winter of 1982 he had 3 animals that just wouldn't eat or drink. He had installed the latest electrically heated drinkers to prevent freezing.
He had the veterinarian over and nether of them could figure out a solution. While they were talking, the veterinarian's assistant stuck his finger into the drinker water-and he got Shocked! We felt awful. Our electric drinker had been shocking the horses every time they tried to take a drink.
We immediately pulled the plug and went to the workshop to build a better drinker. That first drinker is still in use today in one of our stalls. Sine then, we have changed to a newer and tougher material but the design concept is exactly the same. It's a proven design with over 15 years of experience.
Bar-Bar-A Fully Automatic Non-Electric Horse Drinker
The water bowl fills with fresh clean water each time your horse or cow puts its nose into the drinker. After the drink, the excess water drains away, leaving an empty bowl. It works dependably every time!
Note: There's no water to freeze, accumulate debris, or grow algae. Since the water supply and valve are below frost line, your animals enjoy the natural cool water in the summer and warm water in the winter.
How the Bar-Bar-A Horse Drinker Works?
Teaching horses to use their "Bar-Bar-A Drinker" is really very simple. Most animals learn how the drinker works on their own. Natural curiosity and nuzzling the drinker paddle turns on the water. Once they taste the water, they know where to go.
What Do Bar Bar A Horse Drinker Customers Have To Say?
Horse owners across America call or write with their testimonials about the Bar-Bar-A Horse Drinker. Wouldn't you like to be one of them?
I wanted to give a testimonial. We had the Bar Bar A drinkers for our horses in Colorado for the last 8 years. We just moved to northern Arizona and decided right away to order more of these fantastic waterers before we even have the barn up or the fencing in. Our horses like the always-fresh water, and no electricity is a big deal. Back when we only had stock tanks with heaters, unbeknownst to us, one of the heaters was shorting and shocking the horses that tried to drink out of that tank. They didn’t have access to any other water source for at least a full day. One of our horses was pantomiming drinking above the water with a very worried look on her face, and that’s when we realized that the water level had not dropped and she wouldn’t put her mouth to the water. We want to start our little herd out in their new home right, with a fresh and safe water supply. And no shocking surprises!
Rene- Colorado
I bought my Bar-Bar-A in the Fall and installed it shortly thereafter. By December it got nasty cold. I show Percherons and one day I was looking at their hair. I could not believe how thick and healthy their hair became with 6 weeks of using the unit. I believe the reason for this was that the water they were drinking was a comfortable temperature for them and they drank much more. The year before they had a stock tank with ice cold water in it. They were definitely drinking more than last year and it showed in their winter coats. I have also tried the electric heaters that you throw in the tanks and they are not only dangerous but many times heat the water too much and make the water to warm to enjoy. Thanks so much Bar-Bar-A!
Ken – Utah
After using our Bar-Bar-A Drinkers the last two years, we are convinced it is the best product we have found. We have been using four drinkers for both cattle and horses. The wear is always fresh, warm in the winter and cool in the summer: More importantly, no electricity is needed to keep the drinkers from freezing.
-Kent & Donna (Rupert, Idaho)
We love it!! Our Bar-Bar-A Drinker has been in one year with no trouble. My wife says its the best investment we've made. We'd do it again. It's in a pasture connected to well water. We have Hunter-Jumpers and they have no trouble with it. It's 20 degrees today.
-Chris (Danville, Virginia)
What More Do You Need to Convince You?
Few things are worse than looking at those dirty tubs of water filled with mosquito larvae, warm with algae or crusted over with ice. If it wouldn't appeal to you…it sure doesn't appeal to your horse. The friendly people at Bar-Bar-A are happy to answer your questions. Just pick up the phone and give us a call today!
Labeled cutaway diagram of the Bar-Bar-A non-electric horse waterer showing paddle, bowl, drain valve, and below-frost-line supply
What exactly is the Bar-Bar-A Drinker?
The Bar-Bar-A is an automatic, non-electric livestock waterer that delivers fresh water on demand without any heating element, float valve, or standing reservoir. It works like a frost-free hydrant engineered for animals: the bowl fills with clean water each time a horse, cow, or other animal pushes its nose against the paddle, then the leftover water drains back into the ground, leaving an empty bowl behind. Because water is always either filling or draining and never sits in the unit, there is nothing left to freeze in winter, scald in summer, or grow slimy algae. The same design serves horses, donkeys, mules, miniatures, cattle, sheep, goats, llamas, wild game, and pigs.
Bar-Bar-A Automatic Horse Drinker unit with black cross-link polyethylene drinker top
Who invented it and where is it made?
Bar Bar A was created over 25 years ago by inventor Frank Frodsham after three of his boarded horses stopped eating and drinking. He had installed the latest electrically heated drinker, and when his veterinarian could not find the cause, Frank stuck his own finger in the bowl and got shocked, the horses were being electrocuted every time they tried to drink. He pulled the plug and built a safer waterer in his workshop, and that original prototype is still in use today. The company operates from 4010 W 3600 N, Plain City, UT 84404, and can be reached at or.
Bar-Bar-A Automatic Cattle Drinker non-electric watererHow the freeze-proof, paddle-driven mechanism works Each unit stands about 5 feet in length and is buried 3 to 3 1/2 feet deep so the supply line and valve sit safely below the frost line, where ground temperature keeps water naturally cool in summer and above freezing in winter. The animal presses the paddle, water rises into the bowl, and on release a drain valve empties the bowl back into a gravel drain field. In severe climates an insulator blocks freezing air from reaching the supply line and valve. The drinker top is molded from tough cross-link polyethylene that is UV safe, and the unit connects to your water source with 1/2 inch polypipe.
Horse drinking fresh water from a Bar-Bar-A non-electric automatic paddle waterer
What it costs and what each model serves
The Automatic Horse Drinker is priced at $559.00 to $639.00 and is rated 4.44 out of 5 from 20 customer ratings. Companion models cover other species: the Automatic Cattle Drinker ($569.00 to $649.00), the Sheep / Goats Automatic Waterer ($589.00 to $649.00), the Llama Automatic Waterer ($569.00 to $649.00), and the Wild Game Automatic Waterer ($609.00 to $679.00). Replacement parts such as the Automatic Water Drain Valve and Filter are sold separately for $9.25. A single horse drinker can serve up to 25 horses, each consuming roughly 5 to 10 gallons of fresh water per day.
Teaching your animals to use a Bar-Bar-A
Most horses learn the paddle quickly. Remove all competing water sources, and it typically takes about an hour for a horse to figure the automatic waterer out. A built-in training mode temporarily halts the drainage so there is always water sitting in the bowl while animals get comfortable pressing the paddle. Cattle learn best when the drinker is paired with a temporary bucket nearby, with most herds catching on within 6 to 12 hours.
Why owners switch and how to buy
Customers report healthier, better-hydrated animals, no more hauling buckets, no electric bills, no frozen hoses, and no algae-filled tanks. Diana in Illinois noted that during a hard freeze "the only waterer which was not frozen up was the Bar-Bar-A waterer." You can buy direct at horsedrinker.com, use the on-site savings calculator to estimate what you would stop spending on electricity and labor, and find a professional installer through the company's nationwide installer locator. For questions or orders, call Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Why does the Bar-Bar-A waterer not use electricity?
The water supply and valve sit below the frost line, so there is nothing to plug in and nothing to freeze. That below-ground design is also why the inventor went non-electric in the first place: an electrically heated drinker was found to be shocking his horses every time they tried to drink. With the Bar-Bar-A there are no heaters, no cords, and no shocking surprises at the bowl.
How does the Bar-Bar-A Drinker actually work?
The water bowl fills with fresh, clean water each time your horse or cow puts its nose into the drinker and nuzzles the paddle. After the animal drinks, the excess water drains away and leaves an empty bowl. It works dependably every time, and most horses learn it on their own through natural curiosity.
How does it stay clean and avoid algae or debris?
Because the bowl empties out after every drink, there is no standing water to grow algae, collect debris, or breed mosquito larvae. That self-cleaning action is built into the design rather than something you have to maintain. The waterer is described as self-cleaning, non-freezing, fully automatic, and maintenance free.
Will the water be the right temperature in summer and winter?
Yes. Since the water comes from below the frost line, animals get naturally cool water in the hot summer and warm water in the cold winter. One Percheron owner reported their horses drank noticeably more in cold weather on the Bar-Bar-A and grew thicker, healthier winter coats, which they credited to the comfortable water temperature.
Can it be used for cattle as well as horses?
Yes. Owners use the Bar-Bar-A for both cattle and horses, and the drinker activates the same way for either animal. One Idaho family runs four drinkers across cattle and horses and calls it the best product they have found. Hunter-Jumper and Percheron owners report the same dependable results.
Is the Bar-Bar-A design proven over time?
It is. Inventor Frank Frodsham built the first drinker after the 1982 shocking incident, and that original unit is still in use today in one of their stalls. The material has since been upgraded to a newer, tougher version, but the design concept is exactly the same and proven over many years of use.
How do I get a Bar-Bar-A waterer or ask questions?
The friendly people at Bar-Bar-A are happy to answer your questions and help you order, so the easiest first step is simply to pick up the phone and call. You can reach Dave at 1-800-451-2230, email [email protected], or visit http://www.horsedrinker.com/ to learn more and read customer testimonials.
How does a non-electric horse waterer keep water from freezing?
The Bar-Bar-A never holds standing water, so there is nothing in the bowl to freeze. The unit is buried 3 to 3 1/2 feet deep so the supply line and valve sit below the frost line, where the ground stays warm enough to keep water from freezing. Each time an animal releases the paddle, the bowl drains completely back into the ground, and in severe climates an insulator blocks freezing air from reaching the valve.
Who invented the Bar-Bar-A Drinker?
It was invented over 25 years ago by Frank Frodsham, who had boarded horses for years. After installing an electrically heated drinker, three of his horses stopped eating and drinking, and his veterinarian could not find the cause. Frank put his own finger in the bowl, got shocked, and realized the horses were being electrocuted every time they drank, so he pulled the plug and built a safer, non-electric waterer in his workshop.
How does the paddle mechanism actually work?
It functions like a frost-free hydrant designed for animals. When the horse presses the paddle with its nose, fresh water rises into the bowl for drinking. When the animal releases the paddle, the leftover water drains back into the ground through a drain valve, leaving an empty bowl, so the unit is always either filling or draining and never holds standing water.
How much does the Bar-Bar-A horse waterer cost?
The Automatic Horse Drinker is priced at $559.00 to $639.00, and is rated 4.44 out of 5 based on 20 customer ratings. The range reflects different configuration options. Replacement parts such as the Automatic Water Drain Valve and Filter are available separately for $9.25.
Does the Bar-Bar-A work for animals other than horses?
Yes. The same non-electric design is offered for cattle, sheep and goats, llamas, wild game, pigs and hogs, as well as horses, donkeys, mules, and miniatures. Pricing varies by model: the Automatic Cattle Drinker runs $569.00 to $649.00, the Sheep / Goats Automatic Waterer $589.00 to $649.00, the Llama Automatic Waterer $569.00 to $649.00, and the Wild Game Automatic Waterer $609.00 to $679.00.
How many horses can one waterer serve?
A single Bar-Bar-A horse drinker can serve up to 25 horses. The company estimates each horse drinks roughly 5 to 10 gallons of fresh water per day, and because the bowl refills on demand every time an animal presses the paddle, supply keeps up with a full herd.
What is the drinker made of?
The drinker top is molded from tough cross-link polyethylene that is UV safe, so it stands up to sun and weather without degrading. The unit connects to your water source with 1/2 inch polypipe, and the supply line and valve are positioned below the frost line in a cross-link well casing for durability and freeze protection.
How deep do I have to bury it?
The unit is installed 3 to 3 1/2 feet deep so the water supply and valve sit below the frost line. Each waterer is about 5 feet in length overall. Installation also requires a gravel drain field beneath the unit so the drained water has somewhere to go; the gravel is not included.
How long does it take to train a horse to use it?
Most horses learn quickly. After you remove all other water sources, it typically takes about an hour for a horse to figure the automatic waterer out. The unit has a training mode that temporarily stops the bowl from draining so water stays in the bowl while the animal learns to press the paddle.
How do I train cattle to use the Bar-Bar-A?
For cattle, the company recommends pairing the drinker with a temporary bucket placed nearby so the animals associate the spot with water. Most cattle learn to use the paddle within 6 to 12 hours. As with horses, the training mode can keep water sitting in the bowl during the learning period.
Does it really save money compared to an electric waterer?
Yes. Because the Bar-Bar-A uses no electricity, there is no heating element running through winter and no associated power bill, and it eliminates the labor of hauling buckets and breaking ice. The company offers a savings calculator on its website so you can estimate what you would stop spending on electricity and labor over time.
Will the water get too hot in summer or too cold in winter?
No. Because the water supply and valve are below the frost line, animals enjoy naturally cool water in summer and comparatively warm water in winter. There is no standing water sitting in the sun to scald or in freezing air to ice over, so the water that rises into the bowl comes straight from below ground at a comfortable temperature.
Does the design prevent algae and mosquitoes?
Yes. With no standing water left in the bowl between drinks, there is no still water for slimy algae to grow in or for mosquitoes to breed in. The bowl drains completely after each use, which is one of the main differences owners notice compared with open troughs and tanks that constantly grow algae.
Where is Bar-Bar-A located and how do I contact them?
Bar Bar A is located at 4010 W 3600 N, Plain City, UT 84404. You can reach the company by phone at 866-259-8047 or by email at [email protected]. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Can I get help installing it?
Yes. Bar-Bar-A offers a network of professional installers nationwide, and you can find one near you through the installer locator map on their website. The company also publishes a step-by-step installation guide for owners who want to install the unit themselves, which covers the burial depth, gravel drain field, and 1/2 inch polypipe connection.
What do customers say about the Bar-Bar-A?
Reviews emphasize freeze-proof reliability, healthier animals, and time savings. Diana in Illinois said "the only waterer which was not frozen up was the Bar-Bar-A waterer," Ken in Utah reported his animals' hair became "thick and healthy" within six weeks of use, and Gren in Utah said "the time saving is tremendous, I have been looking for a waterer like this all my life." Rene in Colorado added that "our horses like the always-fresh water, and no electricity is a big deal."
How do I buy a Bar-Bar-A waterer?
You can order directly through the online shop at horsedrinker.com, where each animal model is listed with its price and options. You can also call 866-259-8047 during business hours to place an order or ask questions, and use the website's savings calculator and installer locator to plan your purchase and installation.
