Why Equestrians Are Perfectly Placed to Use Rainwater All Year Round
Belle Richardson is the founder of equestrian mum-owned brand, SealStop.
In this short article, she shows us how we can look to save water in our everyday equestrian lives - and why this actually matters, asides from the obvious money-saving benefits.
Read on to find out more about the ways you can make small changes with big impact below.
This article is brought to you by SealStop - a carefully selected partner of the Equestrian Mums Club since April 2026.
As equestrians, we’re in a unique position. Unlike gardeners who tend to think about water use seasonally, we’re using it every single day, all year round. Buckets, troughs, feeds, washing down, cleaning kit… water is part of our daily routine. Which means we also have a real opportunity to make a difference.
You’ve probably heard bits about the UK water situation. It can feel like something distant or out of our control, but the reality is simple. We’re using more water than ever, and supplies are under pressure. The good news is, small changes on yards like ours can add up quickly.
One of the easiest places to start is rainwater.
Many equestrians already collect it, especially those living off grid or running smallholdings. They understand better than most that every drop counts. But even on a standard yard setup, rainwater can be an incredibly useful and underused resource.
Think about how much water we already waste without really thinking about it!
We all want our horses to have access to fresh, clean water, so buckets get tipped out regularly. But that often means pouring away litres of perfectly usable water. Instead of wasting it, that water can be reused for things like making up feeds, washing out buckets, or even cleaning off muddy legs and boots.
It’s not about compromising on quality for your horse. It’s about being a bit smarter with what we already have.
Interestingly, if given the choice, many horses will happily drink rainwater over tap water, as long as it’s fresh and clean. It’s what they’d naturally drink in the wild, after all. The key is making sure it’s stored properly and not left to go stagnant.
Setting up rainwater collection is also far easier than people think. A simple water butt connected to a stable or barn roof can capture a surprising amount, even from light rainfall. It’s relatively inexpensive to get started and quickly becomes a really valuable asset on any yard.
And with water bills set to rise again, it does make you wonder whether more of us will start to look at alternatives like this. Not just from a sustainability point of view, but from a cost and convenience perspective too.
Of course, most of us will still rely on mains water in some way. The key is making sure we only use what we actually need.
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That’s something I learned the hard way. Too many times I’d turn the tap on to fill a bucket, get distracted, and come back to a flooded yard and wasted water. It sounds small, but it adds up quickly!
That’s exactly why we created SealStop. It simply clips onto your hose and automatically stops the flow of water when your bucket or trough is full. No timers, no rushing back, no wasted water. Just set it and walk away.
Because whether it’s using rainwater more efficiently or making better use of mains water, it all comes back to the same thing. Being a little more mindful, without making life harder.
And if there’s one thing equestrians are good at, it’s finding practical ways to make things work.
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