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Hiring a Hauling Service

This article addresses the process of preparing yourself and your horse for an interstate trip, from a legal standpoint.  A few websites offer information on horse hauling companies, such as www.travelinghorse.com.  Regardless of where you find a hauling company, be sure to check references and make sure you are dealing with a reputable, caring, and experienced service.

Veterinary Records

Industry experts have written numerous articles over the years about how to prepare your horse for hauling.  This article will address what to consider from a legal standpoint. Please keep these suggestions in mind before your horse makes an interstate or international trip:

  • Make sure the horse has a negative Coggins Test taken by a licensed veterinarian within 12 months of the haul.  This test checks for equine infectious anemia (EIA).
  • Many states also require that the horse have an official interstate health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of the trip.
  • For horses making international trips, an international health certificate might be needed.

Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website, for more information on interstate and international equine shipping requirements.

Protecting Yourself With Equine Insurance

Never assume that the hauling service has liability insurance that will fully protect you for damage to or loss of your horse during the trip.  The possibility exists that your horse could be injured, or die, without negligence on part of the hauler.  Consider protecting your investment before the trip through insurance, such as equine mortality insurance, equine major medical insurance, and loss of use insurance.  Because of the possibility that your horse could injure others, consider purchasing liability insurance, such Personal Horse Owner’s Liability Insurance coverage.  Discuss coverages and limits with a knowledgeable insurance agent.

What to Give the Hauler

When the hauling service takes your horse, it may also need the following:

  1. A negative Coggin’s Test, typically within the past year.
  2. An official interstate health certificate and/or international health certificate.
  3. Emergency contact information.  You will want the shipping company to know how to reach you at all times, and possibly someone else if you are unavailable.  Consider also making sure that the shipper has proper authorization to arrange for veterinary attention to your horse in your absence.
  4. Equine insurer contact information.  In case the hauler needs to make an emergency call to your equine insurer on your behalf, you can provide the hauler the equine insurance company’s name, emergency contact number, and policy information.
  5. Information regarding the horse such as unique vices and habits as well as health problems that require special attention.
  6. To reduce stress on your horse during and after transport, make sure the shipper has a bale or two of the horse’s usual hay and feed.
  7. Signed contracts.  Hauling services may ask you to sign a contract.  Just like all contracts, read it very carefully before signing.

If you have any questions about hiring a hauling service, please contact me.

Categories: Insurance, Liability

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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.

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Contact Us - Julie Fershtman

"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".

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

In 2022, Julie Fershtman is scheduled to be a speaker on equine liability at these conventions:

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.

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