SubscribeGift a Sub
Enable cache 100
Stable Management

Equestrian Related Liabilities



If you provide horses for others to ride, allow others to ride on your property or sponsor equine activities (like fox hunts, horse shows, trail rides, lessons, hay rides, et cetera), signed release forms are a necessity. If you are the one borrowing or renting a horse, riding on another’s property or attending an equestrian event, a release will limit your rights to recover damages if you are injured.



If you decide to use a release, determine what information should be included: The name of the equine professional (or sponsor), the name of the participant and the date. If the participant is going to be involved in the activity on a repetitive basis (lessons, for example), a statement that the release is effective until cancelled or amended in writing and signed by both parties should be in the release.

If you are in a state that requires the liability act warning language, be sure to include that in your contract. If the participants are minors, require the parents to sign the release.

A statement that the participant releases the professional or sponsor from liability for injury or death that may occur from the horse activity should be included. Many releases list the specific risks that are “inherent” in equine activities, such as the horse spooking, shying, bolting, rearing, bucking, running, suddenly moving, biting and so on. A statement that the participant is knowingly assuming those risks should also be included.

Keep in mind that laws (and their contract requirements) vary from state to state. A release that is appropriate in one state may not be in another. The list above is not all-inclusive and may not include everything that should be in your release. To ensure the best protection, consult with an attorney familiar with the equine liability laws in your state.

This article is not intended to constitute legal advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Tonna Tharp Farrar of The Farra Firm LLC in Kansas City, Missouri, has a nationwide equine law practice where she brings practical knowledge of the horse industry from owning, showing and breeding horses over the past 20 years to the legal profession. She currently competes at AQHA shows with her horse, CJ Sharp Chuter.

Horse Illustrated

Horse Illustrated is the magazine for people who are passionate about horses. Each issue offers advice on horse health and care, plus user-friendly training tips for both English and western riders and engaging lifestyle features for horse lovers.

Recent Posts

The Complete Guide to Parts of a Western Saddle — Plus a Quiz

Get to know the essential parts of a western saddle with this comprehensive guide. Plus, have some fun testing your…

9 hours ago

8 Horse Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Informed horse owners would never intentionally do something that could cause their horse to colic. Yet many owners unwittingly follow…

13 hours ago

The Beautiful Akhal-Teke

The Akhal-Teke horse—pronounced like “apple” with a K instead of the P’s, and “techie”—is one of the rarest horse breeds…

1 day ago

Barn Banter – Episode 25: Sponsored by Adequan

Welcome to Barn Banter, the official podcast of Horse Illustrated. In Barn Banter episode 25, hosts Susan Friedland and Horse Illustrated…

3 days ago

A Horse Owner’s Most Difficult Decisions

Making difficult care decisions for a horse that has been closer to us than many family members can be traumatizing…

4 days ago

2024 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Preview

There’s only one place in North America where you can experience top international horse show competition combined with all the…

5 days ago