Should You Let the Boarding Stable Use Your Horse in Lessons?
Are you considering allowing a boarding stable to use your horse in its riding lesson program? Take caution. Horse owners face risks in these arrangements, including:
- If someone is injured while riding or handling the horse in a lesson, the owner is at risk of being sued.
- Even if the boarding stable and the riding instructor use releases of liability (where allowed by law), chances are good that the documents will not include language protecting the horse owner.
- Even if the stable and the riding instructor have policies of liability insurance, these policies may not protect the horse owner.
Tips for Avoiding Liability
When their privately-owned horses are used in a stable’s lesson program, horse owners can consider the following to reduce their risks of liability:
Buy Your Own Liability Insurance.
Consider purchasing a policy of Personal Horse Owner's Liability Insurance (some insurers may call it “Private Horse Owner’s Liability Insurance”). This insurance protects the horse owner (and possibly others the owner may designate, as well) in the event that someone else is hurt while riding or near the horse. Of course, in the application process you would notify the insurer that the horse is being used in a stable’s lesson program.
Get Included in the Stable’s Liability Insurance.
Consider asking the stable and equine professional to name you, the horse owner, as an “additional named insured” in their commercial and/or professional liability insurance policies. Make sure their coverage was issued by a reputable insurance company, with policy limits acceptable to you, and that the policy will specifically cover the activities in which your horse will be used. (Also, be careful – those listed as additional insureds under a policy usually cannot make claims of their own against the policy; discuss this with the insurance agent.)
Insist that the Stable and Equine Professional Use an Acceptable Liability Release Document (Where Allowed by Law) that Specifically Protects You.
Ask the stable and instructor to specifically include you in the section of the release where the signer agrees not to sue certain listed people and entities.
Abandon the Arrangement.
Horse owners who are unwilling or unable to follow any of these suggestions are taking their chances. For them, the best option might be to decline the arrangement.
Categories: Boarding, Liability
Julie Fershtman is considered to be one of the nation's leading attorneys in the field of equine law. She has successfully tried equine cases before juries in four states. A frequent author and speaker on legal issues, she has written over 400 published articles, four books, and has lectured at seminars, conventions, and conferences in 29 states on issues involving law, liability, risk management, and insurance. For more information, please also visit www.fershtmanlaw.com and www.equinelaw.net, and www.equinelaw.info.
View All Posts by Author ›Top 10 Things The Equine Community Needs To Know About Equine Liability Laws
"Julie Fershtman is considered by many to be the nation's leading expert on equine activity liability acts. Her 30-minute presentation for a recent educational webinar on equine activity liability acts for the American Horse Council is available for viewing. Please take a look, here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCROISSPMJs
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Wins Fourth National Award
Julie Fershtman’s latest book, Equine Law and Horse Sense, won its fourth national award on May 31, 2021. It was selected to receive a "Finalist" Medal in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
The 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards are presented by Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group, which is the largest International awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. Here’s a link for the complete list of 2021 winners and finalists: https://www.indiebookawards.com/winners.php?year=2021
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Third National Award
Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.
The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners
Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0
Equine Blog Ranked in Feedspot
Foster Swift's Equine Law Blog was ranked #8 in Feedspot.com's "15 Best Equine Law Blogs and Websites".
Categories
- Veterinary Malpractice
- Zoning & Land Use
- Defamation
- Employment
- Licensing
- Boarding
- Billing/Payment
- Breeding
- Regulatory
- Workers' Compensation
- Radio Broadcasts
- Animal Abuse
- Department of Labor
- News & Events
- Contracts
- Did you Know?
- Fraud & Abuse
- Employee Handbook
- Lawsuit
- Compliance
- Liability
- Insurance
- Fashion
- News
- Labor Relations
- Sales/Disputes
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
In 2022, Julie Fershtman is scheduled to be a speaker on equine liability at these conventions:
- American Horse Council Annual Meeting and National Issues Forum, Washington D.C. - June 6, 2022
- National Conference on Equine Law, Lexington, Kentucky – May 4, 2022
- IRMI Agribusiness Conference (“AgriCon”), Sacramento, California – March 8, 2022
- New York State Bar Association Equine Law Symposium (virtual conference) – February 9, 2022
Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Second National Award
Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.
The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners
Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0
Honors & Recognitions
Equine lawyer, Julie Fershtman, has received these prestigious equine industry awards from respected equine organizations:
"Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award" - American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Law Section Animal Law Committee
"Distinguished Service Award" - American Youth Horse Council
"Industry Service Award" - Michigan Equine Partnership
"Catalyst Award"- Michigan Horse Council
"Outstanding Achievement Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Partner in Safety Award" - American Riding Instructors Association
"Associate Service Award" - United Professional Horseman's Association
"National Partnership in Safety" Award" - Certified Horsemanship Association
Some of our Equine Law Services
Handling breach of contract, fraud/ misrepresentation, commercial code, and other claims involving equine-related transactions including purchases/sales, leases, mare leases/foal transfers, and partnerships.
Litigating a wide variety of equine-related disputes in court or through alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation, facilitation).
Defending equine/farm/equestrian industry professionals, businesses, and associations in personal injury claims and lawsuits.
Drafting and negotiating contracts for boarding, training, sales, waivers/releases, leases, and numerous other equine-related transactions.
Representing and advising insurers on coverage and policy language as well as litigation;
Advising equine industry clubs and associations regarding management, rules, bylaws, disputes, and regulations.
Representing some of the equine industry's top trainers, competitors, stables, and associations.
Counseling industry professionals, stable managers, and individual horse owners.
THE NATION'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER EQUINE LAW SPEAKER
Did you know Julie Fershtman has spoken at the American Horse Council Annual Meeting, Equine Affaire, US Hunter/Jumper Association Annual Meeting, Midwest Horse Fair, Equitana USA, US Dressage Federation Annual Meeting, North American Riding for the Handicapped (now PATH International) Annual Meeting, American Paint Horse Association Annual Meeting, US Pony Clubs, Inc.'s Annual Meeting, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, American Youth Horse Council Annual Meeting, American Riding Instructors Association Annual Meeting, CHA Annual Meeting, and numerous others? Consider signing her up for your convention. Contact Julie directly.
Follow Us on Twitter!
Follow us for updates regarding news, cases, disputes, and issues regarding Equine Law. @horselawyers