The International Grooms Association (IGA) has launched a campaign focused on the importance of keeping “grooms hydrated and happy” during competitions and events. They emphasise that it is completely unacceptable for grooms to have to drink water from washdown hoses due to a lack of free drinking water areas, and that it is the responsibility of the equestrian community to ensure that all staff have access to safe drinking water.
According to an IGA spokesperson, the two key issues facing grooms are the distance of drinking water sources from the stables and prices. During a busy day, many grooms do not have time to leave the stable area and cannot afford to buy dozens of bottles of water at the inflated prices charged at shows. That is why the campaign aims to encourage organisers, equestrian centres and others to provide «hydration zones» in the stable areas and near the arenas. The Association's current goal is that, in places where the water is safe to drink, organisers must ensure that grooms are aware of the existence of these zones and provide reusable cups or bottles so that they can drink and stay hydrated.
Lucy Katan, executive director of the IGA, highlighted that one of the key findings of the survey carried out among IGA members last year was the lack of drinking water on yards. Considering dehydration as something inevitable or drinking water from wash-down hoses is unacceptable in 2023. It is essential to recognise that the risks and impact of dehydration are well known. Just as it would be condemnable to leave a horse without water, we must also prioritise the welfare of the people whose job it is to ensure the care and health of horses.
The IGA spokesperson stated that the association works with event organisers to recognise the essential work of grooms, for example, through awards. However, practical measures such as guaranteeing access to drinking water can make a tangible difference to the daily lives of grooms, as well as to their overall health and happiness. It is the responsibility of the equestrian community to support grooms so that they can quickly access water and carry out their work in an optimal manner.
