As those living in the UK are in the midst of yet another heatwave, and some water companies have announced hosepipe bans, where does this leave horse owners who are trying to keep horses cool and prevent dehydration?
Currently, some customers of Southern Water, South East Water and Cambridge Water are facing water usage restrictions. Anglian Water customers will also be under restriction from 1am Saturday, 11 July.
Affinity Water has also put a hosepipe ban in place across its Central area, which covers parts of Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey and parts of London – this will come into effect on Friday, 17 July.
Other areas are not currently affected, but some water companies, such as Severn Trent, have asked customers to be mindful of their usage and issued guidance on how to reuse water where possible.
Washing horses down with a hosepipe is still allowed under hosepipe restrictions.
Hosepipe ban exemptions?
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 wellbeing 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).
What is allowed during a hosepipe ban?
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.
- For unlimited access to advice on how best to care for your horse, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website
You might also enjoy:
How to keep horses cool in a heatwave with helpful tips for instant results
Dehydration in horses can be deadly — here’s what you need to know
How to survive a heatwave — whether you have a hairy cob or a competition horse
The best way to cool horses and the science behind it
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
