Anyone involved in horse sport knows the importance of hydration for our horses and riders, - and yet all too often grooms have no source of fresh drinking water in their work zone.

During a busy competition day many grooms simply do not have the time to walk even five minutes to fetch water for themselves- it is essential to see water provision for grooms placed within the stable area and at the warm-up ring.

In our 2022 Member Voice Survey we received alarming feedback such as “Dehydration is often just a reality you are forced to struggle through”.

This is unfair on the grooms, and problematic for the sport; not only does dehydration negatively impact people’s ability to work well, it is simply unethical for ‘the heroes of our sport’ to put their own health at risk in order to do their jobs.

Hydrated happy grooms

Grooms are an essential part of the FEI family. We believe it is the duty of the equestrian community to support grooms as we would riders and officials, and a part of this is helping them avoid dehydration.

The following should be the base norm. at every FEI Level Competition and the IGA is running its Hydrated Happy Grooms Campaign to see this aim achieved:

•    Placing water provision in the stables and by the warm up and competition arenas- not just at catering facilities.
•    Plastic water bottles are convenient, but not good for sustainability so it is suggested to have ‘hydration stations’ or water coolers from which grooms can fill up reusable water bottles.
•    If the tap water is ‘drinkable’ it is important for organisers to ensure grooms are aware of this - and to ensure that not all taps have hoses attached so a water bottle can be easily refilled..

By working together and addressing this at each and every FEI event, we can make it easier for grooms to stay hydrated, healthier and happier in their work.