There are no heated buckets to be found, no bucket heaters available... 

(plus that is expensive with 8 horses) 

Any recommendations to keep my buckets from freezing?   

 it's going to get stupid cold here for days... HELP!

I would try to double bucket for insulation in that situation. 

Never thought of that! I haven't had the cold here like up north and normally don't stall but when the weather gets bad, I put them up but it's going to be below 0

one of the old timers i boarded with years ago only had a stock tank in the alleyway.  he would let the horses  out 3 times a day to drink and let them drink their fill.  Took the horses a little while to get use to the program but none ever seemed to mind or not get enough water.  One heater for a stock tank would be alot cheaper than all the buckets. 

but im getting lazy in my old age.  I have 5 heated buckets up and a dog water bowl also.  And cameras in the house to see the barn. 

I know it would suck, but haul hot water from your house and hand water every 3-4 hours. One bucket or two, left out in the cold they'll freeze. If you have a bigger tank you could also try wrapping it in insulation and build a box around it and cover the top with plywood. I really feel for you guys down south. At least in ND we are used to weather like this and can expect it every year. Hope it warms up soon.

I use rubber buckets during the winter time.  The water does freeze if they don't drink for hours but, you can beat the daylights out of a rubber bucket and it doesn't hurt it.  I've destroyed many plastic buckets during cold snaps.   My horses are normally turned out during the day and stalled at night.  It's cold today with the high of 0 with below zero windchill.  

Wish I was closer. I'd lend you some  I have 5 heated buckets and 1 horse. I remember when I stocked up on them 6 years ago.... I've used them maybe 4 times.. I'm in Central Texas and we are frozen too, expecting single digits Monday. I'm having to hang some heat lamps in my chicken coops to keep my chickens waters from freezing over. I had to break thru a gate this morning to go tend to them, it was frozen shut!  Rubber buckets seem to freeze less than the plastic ones. 

One year when I had horses in the barn in cold I went and got the silver insulation for water heaters and wrapped all my buckets with that and kept them from freezing quite so quick

This might sound really ghetto, but I have duct taped those little hand warmers to the bottom of buckets. They usually last about 8 hours! 

Good suggestions everyone! Its been awhile since I have been in or dealt with temps this cold... I moved to OK from IA 

I do have tank heaters and I have seen where you can buy bucket heaters now.  they are a little cheaper then the heated buckets but I know I can't get them delivered before this hits now.  (note to self for next year lol) but I have a couple tanks and a couple tank heaters, and I do have a few options on getting all the horses in the barn and with the freedom to walk a little but and have the tanks with tank heaters in them...  

I seriously can't believe we are going to be -20's with the wind chill.  

but these suggestions have given me alot of options!  I have my tank out in this and the heater has kept up, so far, I now think once I get the water down some to drain it tomorrow I can put it inside another tank that is a tad bigger and fill the inbetween with insulation of hay or even old blankets!  

Its great when we can share and brainstorm together!  I and I love the Ghetto suggestion and I would take those extra buckets next time!!! 

Thanks everyone! 

Now this is innovative! Clay likeys!

I saw a friend on Facebook post a hack tonight that actually works! You take bubble wrap around the outside of the buckets and cover with duct tape and they won't freeze! 

That's interesting...

Just saw this on fb.... will have to remember that just in case we ever get this crazy weather again!!!

Those that have the heated buckets, do your horses drink out of them?

Now thats really a smart way of getting it done 

I have the 16-gallon heated tubs; yes, my horses drink from them.