Grooms having to drink from hosepipes is “totally wrong”, it has been emphasised, and it is the duty of the equestrian community to ensure all staff have access to safe drinking water.
This is the message from the International Grooms Association (IGA) as it launches its new “Hydrated happy grooms” campaign, to highlight the issue of people working through dehydration at FEI events.
“The two key issues for grooms were proximity of drinking water sources to the stables and pricing – during a busy day some grooms do not have time to leave the stable area, and they cannot afford showground prices for bottled water,” an IGA spokesman said.
The campaign is aimed at encouraging show organisers and venues to provide “hydration stations” in stable areas and beside arenas.
“In places where the tap water is safe to drink, organisers should ensure grooms are aware of this and provide cups so grooms are able to take advantage of the supply,” the spokesman said, adding that the gold standard will be for shows that provide reusable cups or bottles to be filled at the hydration stations.
IGA executive director Lucy Katan said: “One of the key findings of last year’s IGA member voice survey was the problems caused for grooms when there is no drinking water in the stables. In 2023 it is totally wrong for grooms to consider dehydration ‘just a reality’ or to be drinking from washbay hosepipes.
“The impact and risks of dehydration are well known – and anyone who left a horse without water would be rightly deplored. If horse sport is to maintain a positive social licence, surely we must consider the welfare of those people whose role is to ensure the welfare of the horse.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“It is the duty of the equestrian community to support grooms in their work by ensuring they are able to quickly access drinking water.”
The spokesman said the IGA works with shows to recognise grooms’ contribution, such as with prizes, but that practical measures such as this “can make a material difference to the groom’s working day but also their overall health and happiness”.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.
