You could own an autographed outfit worn by Clinton Anderson of Downunder Horsemanship! We are hosting an auction on Ebay to support our friends at the Quakerdale Wolfe Ranch Life enrichment center. Winner of the auction not only wins the outfit, but will receive a FREE 1 year membership to the No Worries Club and a Clinton Anderson Travel mug.
Quakerdale Wolfe Ranch is a local fun, safe, and inclusive environment with various equine programs for people of all ages. Located in Marshalltown, Iowa, Ritchie Industries has been a long time supporter of the organization and their programs such as Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning.
All proceeds from the auction will be donated to support the Wolfe Ranch. For more information visit the Quakerdale website.
Clinton Anderson generously donated the items for this auction. For more information on the prize package please visit our Ebay Listing.
If you have questions, please direct them to Ruth at rpeterson@ritchiefount.com or by calling 800-747-0222. Thank you and good luck.
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After a long brutal winter warmer temperatures seem to be here to stay. Your WaterMatic series waterer requires little spring maintenance however, below is a list of tips that will help keep your waterer clean and functioning for your animals throughout the summer.
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Cleaning
The cold weather often prevents a cleaning so a good cleaning may be necessary. Elbow grease is usually all that is needed however should you prefer to use a cleaning product, animal safe cleaners can be used without worry of damaging the waterer. Please contact your local Veterinarian for their recommendations on animal safe cleaners.
Ritchie recommends cleaning your waterer every 3 days or as needed to prevent algae formation or mosquito larvae development. Maintenance cleaning should only take a couple minutes as shown in our video below.
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Heaters
The heaters are an optional feature with our WaterMatic series. If you are in an area that utilizes the optional heat, now is the time to remove the immersion heater. This will help to elongate the life of the heater and prevent deposits from accumulating. Once the heater is removed, wipe it off and store in a dry place until fall.
Removing the heater is an easy step to ensure you have a functioning heater in the fall. Follow the video below for instructions.
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Ritchie Valve
The valve in your WaterMatic is one of two sizes and maintains a constant supply of water to your trough. If your valve is functioning as expected, no additional maintenance is needed.
Troubleshooting
Normal usage or a build-up of deposits may cause the valve to drip. If you notice a drip in your valve, follow the steps below.
1. If you notice a drip in your valve, begin by flipping over or changing the valve rubber.
* 1/2″ valve series Video Tutorial,
* 3/4″ valve series Video Tutorial.
2. Changing the valve in your waterer may also be needed. For more information on our two valve series, visit our Valve web page.
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After a long brutal winter, warmer temperatures seem to be here to stay. General cleaning and maintenance to your Ritchie OmniFount waterer will keep the waterer functioning for your animals throughout the summer.
Cleaning
Heaters and Thermostat
Ritchie Valve
Valve Troubleshooting
Ritchie Thermal Tubes provide the ultimate in added waterline protection. While they are considered an optional accessory to your installation, some sort of riser tube will need to be used to prevent frost from carrying over to your waterline. Why not use our fully insulated Thermal Tubes.
Waterlines should always be buried at least 1 foot below your frost line. Ritchie Thermal Tubes are available in a variety of lengths to accommodate your bury depth. Available in a 1 foot top, 2 foot top and 2 foot extension and 4 foot sizes.
Ritchie Thermal tubes provide 2 inches of fully sealed insulation which will help maintain a warmer temperature in the air surrounding your waterline. Studies have shown that ground temperature is not significant enough to provide adequate freeze protection to your line or your waterer. Allowing the warm water to provide the additional warmth inside the insulated tube will assist with performance of your waterer.
Frequently asked questions
1. What side is up? Bury the waterline with the writing UP. Our 1, 2 and 4 foot sections will have a thicker surface on the top. The Thermal Tube should be flush with the top of your concrete pad which will allow you to set your waterer directly on top of it. This arrangement will create a good seal against the cold and wind.
2. Can I cut or trim the tube to length? No. The Thermal Tube is fully insulated and cutting or trimming the tube could potentially expose the insulation. Overtime the exposed insulation will disintegrate and you will loose all insulation properties of the tube.
3. Will the waterer slip over the tube? I most cases the answer is no. Our smaller units such as the OmniFount 1 and 2 or the EcoFount 1 or 2 are designed to sit directly on top of the Thermal Tube. An all weather sealant will be placed along the base of the unit to prevent air gaps.
For more information about our the Ritchie Thermal Tubes, please visit our Thermal Tube page.
You can also watch our Thermal Tube videos on YouTube.
Don’t miss your chance to win a Ritchie automatic waterer or save on your purchase of a new one.
Ritchie Industries and two of our Ritchie dealers are currently offering ways for you to win, save and help. To learn more about the current specials happening in your area, see the information below.
Enter to Win
Win a waterer while helping Toys for Tots
John Conklin from Select Equine Mercantile (Texas Equine Mercantile) will be attending the Appaloosa World Show October 25th – November 2nd at the John Justin Arena in Ft Worth Tx. He invites you to visit the booth to enter the $2 raffle for the Ritchie Stainless Steel Stall Fount. Money from the raffle benefits Toys for Tots.
10% off to help with Colorado Flood relief