Horse Livery Agreement (UK)
This Horse Livery Agreement is entered into between the parties identified below.
1. PARTIES
1.1 YARD OWNER: [Yard Owner Name] trading as [Yard Name], of [Yard Street], [Yard City], [Yard Postcode], email: [Yard Email], telephone: [Yard Phone] (the "Yard Owner").
1.2 HORSE OWNER: [Horse Owner Name], of [Horse Owner Street], [Horse Owner City], [Horse Owner Postcode], email: [Horse Owner Email], telephone: [Horse Owner Phone] (the "Horse Owner").
1.3 The Yard Owner and the Horse Owner are each a "Party" and together the "Parties" to this Agreement.
2. THE HORSE
2.1 This Agreement relates to the following horse (the "Horse"):
- Name: [Horse Name]
- Breed: [Horse Breed]
- Colour: [Horse Colour]
- Age: [Horse Age] years
- Gender: [Horse Gender]
- Passport Number: [Passport Number]
- Microchip Number: [Microchip Number]
2.2 The Horse Owner warrants that they are the legal owner of the Horse (or are duly authorised to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the owner) and that all identification details set out in clause 2.1 are accurate. The Horse Owner confirms that the Horse is in possession of a valid equine passport in accordance with the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 and that the passport will be made available to the Yard Owner on request.
2.3 The Horse Owner warrants that the Horse is, to the best of their knowledge, free from notifiable equine disease at the date of arrival at the yard. The Horse Owner agrees to notify the Yard Owner immediately of any suspected or confirmed diagnosis of equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, strangles, or any other notifiable or highly contagious disease.
3. LIVERY TYPE AND SERVICES
3.1 The Yard Owner agrees to provide [Livery Type] at [Yard Name] for the Horse from [Start Date] (the "Commencement Date"), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
3.2 The services provided under this Agreement shall be performed with reasonable care and skill in accordance with section 13 of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. The Yard Owner shall comply with all applicable animal welfare obligations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, including the duty to ensure that the needs of the Horse are met with respect to a suitable environment, a suitable diet, the opportunity to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, company appropriate to its nature, and protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.
3.3 The Yard Owner reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the management arrangements for the Horse where necessary for the safety, welfare, or health of the Horse, other horses at the yard, or persons at the yard, and will notify the Horse Owner of any such changes as soon as practicable.
4. FEES AND PAYMENT
4.1 The Horse Owner agrees to pay the Yard Owner a monthly livery fee of £[Monthly Fee] (the "Livery Fee"), payable in advance on or before the [Payment Due Date] of each calendar month.
4.2 The Livery Fee is payable by bank transfer to the Yard Owner's nominated bank account, details of which will be provided separately. Payment shall be deemed received on the date the funds clear into the Yard Owner's account.
4.3 If the Livery Fee is not received by the due date, the Yard Owner shall be entitled to charge interest on the overdue amount at the rate of 8% per annum above the Bank of England base rate from time to time, in accordance with the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 where applicable.
4.4 The Yard Owner reserves the right to exercise a lien over the Horse in respect of any unpaid Livery Fees, including the right to detain the Horse at the yard until all outstanding amounts have been paid in full. This lien arises under common law and is not subject to any requirement for prior notice.
4.5 The Yard Owner may review the Livery Fee no more than once per calendar year. The Yard Owner will give the Horse Owner not less than one calendar month's prior written notice of any proposed increase. If the Horse Owner does not accept the increased fee, they may terminate this Agreement by giving the required notice in accordance with clause 11.
4.6 Any additional services not included in the standard Livery Fee (including but not limited to specialist feed, bedding upgrades, additional turnout, or assistance with veterinary or farrier visits outside normal yard hours) shall be charged at the Yard Owner's prevailing rates and invoiced separately.
5. YARD RULES
5.1 The Horse Owner and any persons visiting the yard on their behalf (including family members, friends, grooms, trainers, and instructors) agree to observe and comply with the Yard Owner's yard rules at all times. A copy of the current yard rules will be provided to the Horse Owner on arrival and is available from the Yard Owner on request.
5.2 The yard rules may be updated from time to time by the Yard Owner, acting reasonably. The Yard Owner will give reasonable notice of any material changes.
5.3 The Horse Owner agrees that they and their visitors will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (including a riding hat conforming to a current approved standard) when handling or riding horses at the yard.
5.4 The Horse Owner agrees not to bring any dog onto the yard unless expressly permitted by the Yard Owner, and to comply with any conditions imposed regarding dogs on the yard.
6. HORSE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
6.1 The Horse Owner shall be responsible for the cost of all veterinary treatment, dental work, farriery, supplementary feed, medications, and any other costs relating to the Horse's care and wellbeing that are not expressly included in the Livery Fee.
6.2 The Horse Owner shall maintain at all times adequate and appropriate equine insurance in respect of the Horse and shall upon request provide the Yard Owner with evidence of current cover. The minimum required insurance is public liability insurance of not less than £2,000,000 per occurrence.
6.3 The Horse Owner shall ensure that the Horse is vaccinated in accordance with the Yard Owner's vaccination requirements (as updated from time to time) and shall provide evidence of up-to-date vaccination records on request. As a minimum, the Horse must be vaccinated against equine influenza and tetanus prior to arrival at the yard.
6.4 The Horse Owner shall ensure that the Horse is wormed regularly and in accordance with a current faecal worm egg count programme or an approved worming protocol, and shall keep a record of worm treatments which may be inspected by the Yard Owner.
6.5 The Horse Owner shall promptly notify the Yard Owner of any change in the Horse's health, behaviour, or management requirements that may be relevant to the Yard Owner's ability to care for the Horse safely.
6.6 The Horse Owner warrants that the Horse does not pose an unacceptable risk to other horses, staff, or visitors at the yard and agrees to disclose any known dangerous, aggressive, or unpredictable behaviour prior to the Horse's arrival.
7. YARD OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1 The Yard Owner shall take reasonable care of the Horse in accordance with good equine husbandry practice and shall observe the Horse's welfare needs under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
7.2 The Yard Owner shall notify the Horse Owner as soon as reasonably practicable of any injury, illness, or change in the Horse's condition.
7.3 In the event of a veterinary emergency, the Yard Owner shall take immediate action to obtain emergency veterinary treatment for the Horse, including where necessary contacting the emergency vet, and shall use their best endeavours to contact the Horse Owner and the emergency contact as soon as possible. The Horse Owner consents to the Yard Owner authorising emergency veterinary treatment in their absence, and agrees to be responsible for the cost of any such treatment.
7.4 The Yard Owner shall keep the yard, stables, fields, and facilities in a reasonably clean and safe condition, and shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of the Horse, the Horse Owner, and their visitors while on the premises.
8. INSURANCE
8.1 The Horse's current insurance details are as follows:
- Insurer: [Insurance Company]
- Policy Number: [Insurance Policy Number]
8.2 The Horse Owner agrees to keep the Horse insured throughout the term of this Agreement. The Horse Owner shall notify the Yard Owner promptly if the insurance policy lapses or is cancelled for any reason.
8.3 The Yard Owner shall maintain appropriate public liability insurance in respect of the yard premises and shall make evidence of such cover available to the Horse Owner on request.
8.4 Subject to the provisions of the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 (which imposes a common duty of care on occupiers towards lawful visitors) and the Occupiers' Liability Act 1984 (which imposes certain limited duties towards trespassers), the Yard Owner does not accept liability for loss or injury to the Horse or to the Horse Owner or their visitors unless caused by the Yard Owner's negligence or a breach of this Agreement.
9. VETERINARY CARE
9.1 The Horse Owner's nominated veterinary practice is [Vet Name], contactable at [Vet Phone]. The Yard Owner shall contact this practice in the first instance in the event of injury or illness, unless an alternative emergency arrangement has been made.
9.2 The emergency contact for the Horse Owner is [Emergency Contact Name], contactable at [Emergency Contact Phone]. This person is authorised by the Horse Owner to make welfare decisions on the Horse Owner's behalf in the event that the Horse Owner cannot be reached.
9.3 The Horse Owner is responsible for all veterinary fees, including emergency call-out fees, and agrees to settle all veterinary invoices promptly. The Yard Owner accepts no liability for veterinary fees incurred on the Horse Owner's behalf, except where they have been incurred negligently.
10. FARRIER
10.1 Farrier arrangements: [Farrier Arrangements]
10.2 All farrier work shall be carried out by a qualified farrier registered with the Farriers Registration Council in accordance with the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975. The cost of all farrier services is the sole responsibility of the Horse Owner unless otherwise expressly agreed in writing.
11. FEED AND BEDDING
11.1 Feed is not included in the monthly Livery Fee. The Horse Owner is responsible for providing all feed for the Horse, including forage and hard feed, at their own cost.
11.2 The Yard Owner shall provide adequate secure storage for the Horse Owner's feed at no additional charge. All feed stored at the yard is stored at the Horse Owner's risk.
11.3 Bedding: The stable will be bedded on shavings, straw, or equivalent bedding material as available and appropriate to the Horse's needs. Any specific bedding requirements noted in this Agreement (see clause 14, Special Requirements) will be observed where reasonably practicable. Any upgrade in bedding requested by the Horse Owner may be charged additionally.
12. TURNOUT
12.1 Turnout arrangements: [Turnout Arrangements]
12.2 The Yard Owner shall not be responsible for any injury sustained by the Horse during turnout in a field or paddock, provided that the Yard Owner has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the field and fencing are maintained in a safe condition. The risk of field injury is acknowledged by the Horse Owner as an inherent risk of horse ownership.
13. NOTICE AND TERMINATION
13.1 Either Party may terminate this Agreement by giving [Notice Period] written notice to the other Party. Notice shall be given in writing by email to the address stated in clause 1 or by hand-delivered letter.
13.2 On the expiry of the notice period, the Horse Owner shall remove the Horse from the yard on or before the final day. If the Horse Owner fails to remove the Horse on the agreed date, the Yard Owner may charge the daily equivalent of the Livery Fee for each day the Horse remains at the yard and exercise the right of lien referred to in clause 4.4.
13.3 The Yard Owner may terminate this Agreement immediately and without notice if: (a) the Horse Owner fails to pay any sum due under this Agreement and the default continues for more than 14 days after written notice; (b) the Horse is found to be suffering from a notifiable or contagious disease that poses a risk to other horses at the yard; (c) the Horse or the Horse Owner poses an unacceptable risk to the safety of other horses, staff, or visitors; or (d) the Horse Owner commits a serious or persistent breach of the yard rules.
13.4 On termination, all outstanding Livery Fees and other charges shall become immediately due and payable.
14. LIABILITY
14.1 The Yard Owner's liability under this Agreement shall in any event be limited to loss or damage caused by the Yard Owner's negligence or breach of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and shall not extend to: (a) loss or damage arising from the inherent risks of horse ownership; (b) injury to the Horse during turnout, save where caused by the Yard Owner's negligence; (c) theft of or damage to the Horse Owner's personal property left at the yard; or (d) indirect or consequential losses.
14.2 The Animals Act 1971 imposes strict liability on the keeper of an animal of a dangerous species and modified liability on the keeper of a non-dangerous species (such as a horse) for damage caused by that animal. As between the Parties, the Horse Owner agrees that they are the 'keeper' of the Horse for the purposes of the Animals Act 1971 and shall indemnify the Yard Owner against any claim brought against the Yard Owner in respect of damage caused by the Horse, except where such damage arises from the Yard Owner's own negligence.
14.3 Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or exclude either Party's liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law, including obligations under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 where applicable.
15. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND MANAGEMENT NOTES
15.1 The Horse Owner has provided the following information regarding the Horse's special requirements, medical history, and management notes. The Yard Owner shall take reasonable steps to observe these requirements:
[Special Requirements]
15.2 The Horse Owner warrants that the information provided in clause 15.1 is complete and accurate to the best of their knowledge. If the Horse Owner becomes aware of any additional relevant information after the date of this Agreement, they shall notify the Yard Owner promptly.
16. FORCE MAJEURE
16.1 Neither Party shall be in breach of this Agreement or liable for any delay or failure to perform their obligations under this Agreement if such delay or failure results from events, circumstances, or causes beyond their reasonable control, including acts of God, extreme weather events, epidemic or pandemic, fire, flood, or government action. In such circumstances, the affected Party shall notify the other Party as soon as reasonably practicable.
16.2 The obligation to pay the Livery Fee shall not be suspended by reason of force majeure unless the Yard Owner is unable to accommodate the Horse at the yard due to the force majeure event.
17. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
17.1 This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.
17.2 Each Party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement.
EXECUTION
By signing this Agreement, both Parties confirm that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.
SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE YARD OWNER:
Signature: ___________________________
Full name: [Yard Owner Name]
Yard: [Yard Name]
Date: ________________________________
SIGNED BY THE HORSE OWNER:
Signature: ___________________________
Full name: [Horse Owner Name]
Date: ________________________________
Yard Owner
[Yard Owner Name]
Signature
Date: ________________
Horse Owner
[Horse Owner Name]
Signature
Date: ________________
What Is a Horse Livery Agreement (UK)?
A Horse Livery Agreement in the United Kingdom sets the services to be provided, the fees, the timetable, and each side's responsibilities for the engagement, with its requirements set by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The legal framework governing horse livery arrangements in England and Wales is drawn from several statutes and common law principles. The most important is the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which imposes a positive duty of care on any person who is responsible for an animal. Section 9 of the Act requires the responsible person to take such steps as are reasonable in all the circumstances to confirm that the animal’s five welfare needs are met: a suitable environment, a suitable diet, the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, appropriate company, and protection from pain, suffering, injury, and disease. A livery yard owner who accepts a horse into their care becomes a person responsible for that animal and is subject to this statutory duty.
The Animals Act 1971 governs liability for damage caused by animals. Under section 2(2), the keeper of a non-dangerous animal (such as a horse) may be strictly liable for damage caused by the animal where the damage was of a kind that the animal was likely to cause and the likelihood was due to characteristics known to the keeper. This has significant implications for livery yard owners, who may be treated as temporary keepers while the horse is on the yard. It is therefore essential that the livery agreement includes an indemnity from the horse owner in respect of claims arising under the Animals Act and that both parties hold appropriate insurance.
The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 implies into contracts for services a term that the service will be carried out with reasonable care and skill. Where the yard owner provides livery services in the course of a business and the horse owner is a consumer, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies and imposes additional protections, including the right to have services performed with reasonable care and skill (section 49) and the prohibition on excluding liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence (section 65). The Occupiers’ Liability Acts 1957 and 1984 impose duties on the yard owner as occupier of the premises in respect of the safety of visitors and, to a lesser extent, trespassers.
Additional regulatory requirements include the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018 (requiring all horses to have a valid passport and microchip), the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975 (requiring all farriery work to be carried out by a registered farrier), and the Animal Health Act 1981 (governing the notification and control of notifiable diseases). Livery yard owners should also be aware of their obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 in respect of the personal data of horse owners and their emergency contacts.
When Do You Need a Horse Livery Agreement (UK)?
A Horse Livery Agreement is needed whenever a horse owner in England or Wales places their horse at a livery yard for stabling, grazing, or care on a regular or ongoing basis. The agreement provides a written record of the terms agreed between the parties and protects both sides in the event of a dispute about services, fees, or liability.
The most common situations in which a livery agreement is required include: a horse owner moving their horse to a new livery yard and needing a formal written contract before the horse arrives; a yard owner taking on a new livery client and wishing to document the services included, the fee, the payment schedule, and the yard rules; a horse owner upgrading from DIY livery to part or full livery and needing to record the additional services and revised fee; a situation where there has been a dispute at a previous yard about what was and was not included in the livery fee, and the horse owner wants clarity going forward.
A livery agreement is also important where the yard operates a yard-wide worming programme and needs the horse owner’s agreement to participate, or where the yard requires evidence of vaccination status before the horse is accepted. Many equine insurance policies require the horse owner to have a written livery agreement in place, and the absence of one may affect the validity of a claim.
From the yard owner’s perspective, a written agreement is essential for managing the risk of non-payment. The agreement should include a lien clause confirming the yard’s right to retain possession of the horse until outstanding fees are paid. Without a written agreement, it can be difficult to prove what was agreed and to enforce payment through the County Court. The agreement also protects the yard owner from liability for pre-existing conditions or behavioural issues that were not disclosed by the horse owner, and provides an indemnity against claims arising under the Animals Act 1971 for damage caused by the horse to third parties.
A livery agreement should be reviewed and updated whenever there is a material change in the arrangements, such as a change in livery type, a fee increase, a change of veterinary practice, or a change in the horse’s health or management requirements.
What to Include in Your Horse Livery Agreement (UK)
Horse Identification -- The agreement must clearly identify the horse by name, breed, colour, age, gender, height, microchip number, and passport number. Accurate identification is essential for insurance purposes, veterinary records, and compliance with the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018. The horse owner should warrant that the horse has a valid equine passport and that the identification details are accurate.
Type of Livery and Services -- Specify whether the arrangement is DIY livery (the owner provides all daily care; the yard provides only the stable and facilities), part livery (duties are shared between the yard and the owner), full livery (the yard provides all daily care including feeding, mucking out, turnout, and exercise), or grass livery (the horse is kept at pasture without a stable). List all services included in the fee to avoid disputes about what is and is not covered.
Monthly Fee and Payment Terms -- State the monthly fee in pounds sterling, the day of the month by which it must be paid, and the accepted payment methods. Include a clause allowing for annual fee reviews on reasonable notice. Specify the consequences of late payment, including the right to charge interest and to exercise a lien over the horse for unpaid fees.
Turnout Arrangements -- Describe the daily turnout schedule, including hours, paddock type (individual or shared), and seasonal variations. Turnout is an important welfare consideration under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, as horses have a need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns and to have appropriate social contact with other horses.
Veterinary Care and Emergency Authorisation -- Name the horse’s registered veterinary practice and provide the telephone number. Authorise the yard owner to call the vet and approve emergency treatment up to a specified financial limit if the horse owner cannot be reached. Specify that all veterinary fees are the responsibility of the horse owner.
Farrier and Worming -- Describe the arrangements for farriery (which must be carried out by a registered farrier under the Farriers (Registration) Act 1975) and for worming (including whether the yard operates a yard-wide programme based on faecal egg counts). Both are important for the ongoing health and welfare of the horse and for the protection of other horses on the yard.
Insurance Requirements -- The horse owner should be required to hold appropriate equine insurance including at a minimum public liability cover. The yard owner should confirm that they hold public liability insurance for the premises. Insurance details should be recorded in the agreement and updated annually.
Yard Rules -- The horse owner must agree to comply with the yard’s rules, which typically cover gate security, speed limits, hat-wearing, dog restrictions, smoking prohibitions, and general conduct on the yard. The yard owner should reserve the right to update the rules on reasonable notice.
Liability and Indemnity -- Allocate liability clearly. The yard owner should not be liable for injury or illness arising from pre-existing conditions not disclosed by the horse owner, and should not be liable for field injuries unless caused by their negligence. The horse owner should indemnify the yard owner against claims arising under the Animals Act 1971 for damage caused by the horse. Neither party may exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.
Termination and Notice Period -- Specify the notice period required by either party to terminate the agreement (typically one calendar month). Include grounds for immediate termination by the yard owner, such as persistent non-payment, serious breach of yard rules, or the horse posing a danger to persons or other animals on the yard.
Under the Companies Act 2006, Companies House maintains the register of UK companies. Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 sets accounting record obligations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) enforces the Consumer Rights Act 2015. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulates financial services under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The High Court of Justice has jurisdiction under the Senior Courts Act 1981. The forms-legal.com Horse Livery Agreement (UK) template covers the mandatory elements under Companies Act 2006.
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title = {Horse Livery Agreement (UK) (United Kingdom)},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://forms-legal.com/uk/business/services/horse-livery-agreement-uk}},
note = {Free legal document template. Based on Companies Act 2006}
}Also available for these jurisdictions:
Frequently Asked Questions
Under section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, any person who is responsible for an animal, including a livery yard owner who has accepted a horse into their care, owes a duty to confirm that the animal’s welfare needs are met. These needs are defined as five welfare needs: the need for a suitable environment; the need for a suitable diet; the need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns; the need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate; and the need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury, and disease. A livery yard owner who fails to meet these standards may be guilty of a criminal offence under section 9, even if the horse does not actually suffer. Under section 4, it is also an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. The Act applies to any person who is responsible for an animal, whether on a permanent or temporary basis, and a yard owner providing livery services will generally be considered responsible for the horse while it is on the yard premises.
Liability for damage caused by horses in England and Wales is governed by the Animals Act 1971. Section 2(2) of the Act imposes liability on the ‘keeper’ of an animal of a non-dangerous species (which includes horses) where: the damage is of a kind which the animal, unless restrained, was likely to cause, or which, if caused by the animal, was likely to be severe; and the likelihood of the damage or of its being severe was due to characteristics of the animal known to the keeper. Under section 6(3), a person has possession of an animal if they have actual physical control of it. A livery yard owner may therefore be treated as a keeper while the horse is in their care, which is why public liability insurance is essential for any livery yard. In practice, livery agreements typically include an indemnity from the horse owner in respect of claims arising under the Animals Act 1971, reflecting the fact that the horse owner has the best knowledge of the horse’s temperament and propensities.
Yes. Under common law, a livery yard owner has a possessory lien (sometimes called an ‘agistment lien’) over a horse in respect of unpaid livery fees. This means the yard owner is entitled to retain possession of the horse until all outstanding fees have been paid. The lien is a passive right of retention; it does not give the yard owner the right to sell the horse to recover the debt without a court order. The lien arises automatically and does not require any express contractual provision, although it is good practice to include a lien clause in the livery agreement for the avoidance of doubt. The lien applies only to the specific horse in respect of which the fees are owed and does not extend to the horse owner’s other property on the yard. If the horse owner attempts to remove the horse without paying, the yard owner may refuse to release the horse. If the dispute cannot be resolved, the yard owner may need to apply to the County Court for an order for the sale of the horse to recover the debt.
Yes. Under the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018, all equines (horses, ponies, donkeys, and their crossbreeds) in England must have a valid equine identification document (commonly known as a horse passport) issued by an approved Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO). The passport must accompany the horse at all times when it is moved from its premises, including when it travels to the livery yard. The passport records the horse’s identity, microchip number, vaccination history, and its status regarding the food chain. It is a criminal offence to keep or move an equine without a valid passport. Livery yard owners will typically require sight of the passport on arrival and may keep a copy on file. From 1 October 2020, all foals born in England must be microchipped and have a passport by the age of 12 months.
While there is no statutory requirement for horse owners to hold insurance, it is strongly recommended and most livery yards in England require it as a condition of the livery agreement. The key types of equine insurance include: public liability insurance, which covers the horse owner for claims made by third parties who are injured or whose property is damaged by the horse (typically a minimum of two million pounds); veterinary fee insurance, which covers the cost of veterinary treatment for illness or injury; personal accident insurance, which covers the owner for injuries sustained while riding or handling the horse; and loss of horse insurance, which covers the financial value of the horse in the event of death, theft, or permanent incapacity. Livery yards will commonly require a minimum of public liability cover and may require evidence of current insurance before accepting the horse onto the yard. The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 imposes a duty of care on the yard owner towards visitors, but this does not extend to covering the horse owner’s own negligence or the actions of their horse.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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