EQUINE LAW

Equine Law ServiceS

EPL’s equine law services include lease and sales negotiation, contract drafting, insurance consultations, pre-purchase evaluations and planning as well as business formation and IRS defense. As a lifelong rider in the hunters and jumpers, Erin is a successful advocate for members of the equestrian community. Services include all areas of the equine industry; from contract disputes, equine liens, stallion syndications for racehorses, to tax litigation and property rights. Erin represents both plaintiffs and defendants in equine law cases, she is an effective mediator and has reached a number of large settlements for her clients. One of the biggest misconceptions in the horse industry is that a fillable form sales agreement will adequately protect the trainer, buyer and seller. EPL is passionate about increasing transparency in horse sales and imports to protect the client from fraud and misrepresentation, the trainer from agency liability and the seller from civil suit.

ON-DEMAND CONTRACTS FOR Equine Sales and Leases

The horse industry leaves too much to chance by operating without legal assistance. Horses are risky enough investments without leaving more to chance with an incomplete lease or sales agreement. Equine lawyers effectively mitigate this risk by providing comprehensive contract protections. Whether it is a lameness issue, colic, behavioral issues, training issues, show nerves, suitability, inflammation—clients should let the horse be the risk component of any equine transaction. It is prudent to hire an equine lawyer that knows the industry to work with the buyer, seller, trainer, and veterinarian to ensure all parties are aware of their legal rights and obligations is invaluable to long-term success in the horse world.

Remember, there are multiple ways to negotiate every lease and sale. When a 5 or 6-figure horse is at stake, it is important to ensure not only that your pre-purchase veterinary evaluations are clean but that both parties are on the same page about insurance, injuries, training, competing and suitability. Many trainers are making sales are so busy running a barn they unavoidably leave legal issues unaddressed and their clients exposed to liability. By working with an equine lawyer, clients avoid the old means of letting your trainer handle the whole deal with a boilerplate sales agreement. These “one-size-fits-all” agreements are at best vague on terms and lead to confusion down the line, at worst it is a good way to risk losing thousands of dollars.

SUBSCRIPTION SErVICE FOR SALE BARNS

In order to mitigate potential contracting errors, EPL offers trainers a subscription service to ensure their client’s agreements are drafted correctly. Once a trainer supplies the contact information for each party, Erin will consult with both buyer and seller to ensure the terms of each sale or lease are contracted properly and the document is fully executed prior to the transfer of funds. EPL offers tiered on-demand drafting services for trainers and sale barns to utilize so they are always one phone call away from a customized consultation between the client and seller, as well as a properly drafted agreement.

Liability Waivers

Equine activities are inherently dangerous, whether you are a grand prix jumper or western trail riding, horseback riding is viewed as a high-risk activity in the eyes of the law. Liability waivers are required for equine riding facilities. Written correctly, these waivers discourage and mitigate losses for people sued from equine related injuries or accidents. An effective waiver must make a signatory aware of the risks they are waiving and agree to accept those risks. Consult with an equine attorney to ensure your business’ liability waiver accurately reflects specific dangers about the property or animals on property. For example, a show-jumping stable should include specifics about the injury potential for schooling over fences. The waiver should also account for every party involved, including the owners, employees and independent contractors. Be sure to have each guest on property sign a waiver, not just your clients.

PET TRUSTS

For those of us who know our pets are family, make sure their care continues uninterrupted in the event we become incapable of caring for them ourselves through specific care instructions in a pet trust.