Hosepipe ban in the UK: what does this mean for horse owners?

As those living in the UK face another week of high temperatures reaching over 30°C, and some water companies have announced hosepipe bans (Yorkshire Water from 11 July, South East Water for those living in Kent and Sussex from 18 July), where does this leave horse owners?

The good news is that while the rules outlaw the use of hosepipes for washing cars and watering gardens, the use of a hosepipe for the cleaning, maintenance and general well-being of any kind of animal is exempt from hosepipe ban rules.

The Government requires that the welfare of animals must be protected at all times, including during a hosepipe ban – or as it is more correctly called a Temporary Use Ban (TUB).

Yorkshire Water will impose a hosepipe ban from Friday 11 July 2025 following recorded its driest spring in 132 years, where just 15cm of rain has fallen since February.

Examples of what is allowed under the TUB restrictions include:

• Washing horses down with a hosepipe
• Filling up water troughs and buckets with a hosepipe
• Cleaning out lorries, trailers and stables with a hosepipe

As long as you are genuinely using a hosepipe for the welfare of your horse and not abusing the interpretation of these rules, you should have no concerns. Responsible use of water is encouraged at the stables, as it is in your homes, to avoid putting added pressure on the supply during this period of high temperatures with little no rain forecast.

If you’d like further reassurance or information, you can contact your local water company for clarification.

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