The woman’s voice on the other end of the line was calm and measured but I could tell this was a difficult discussion for her to have. She had left me a voicemail, stating that her beloved horse was now lame after being leased to someone for only a week. A potentially career-ending injury had occurred during that time. The veterinary bills were piling up, and her horse was now on stall rest for an indefinite period. The owner had never received any money from the person leasing the horse and she wanted to know her legal recourse. After she provided some details, I asked her if she had a contract. She hesitated, finally admitting that she did but that the person leasing the horse hadn’t signed it yet.
I wish I could say that the woman’s situation surprised me but it didn’t. As a lifelong equestrian, I am well acquainted with horsepeople thinking that deals can be made with a handshake and that every horseperson can be trusted to be honest and true to her word. As an equine attorney, I’ve seen too many times when that is not the case. I know that a contract can prevent headaches and heartaches. I also know that the contract has to be drafted and executed properly or it’s not worth the paper it is written on.
Horsepeople sometimes ask me why they can’t just write up an agreement themselves. After all, the elements of a contract seem simple: You are establishing an agreement between two or more people or companies to do something or not do something. A contract will include “offer,” such as the sale of a horse, and “acceptance,” such as the purchase of that horse.
Denne historien er fra Spring 2020-utgaven av Equus.
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Denne historien er fra Spring 2020-utgaven av Equus.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
PROGRESS AND STRUGGLE IN SENIOR HORSE CARE
A study from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University confirms what many dedicated horse owners have long known: Caring for a geriatric horse with a chronic health condition can be a significant physical and emotional burden.
THREE WAYS TO PREVENT BLANKET INJURIES
Of all the things your horse could injure himself with, his blanket seems an unlikely candidate. But don’t rule it out. Blanket mishaps do happen and they can be serious. Here are three things you can do to avoid them:
PUT AN END TO BARN DRAMA
While it’s impossible to prevent all discord at the barn, conflict resolution techniques can help solve problems, restore calm and enable everyone to enjoy their horses.
The turning point
You don’t always get the horse you want, but sometimes you get the one you need.
A FOREVER HOME
How a Facebook post led to a midnight rescue and an unexpected partnership
Nice work if you can get it
A career focused on horses is not for the faint of heart but the rewards are many and can last a lifetime.
MAKE WINTER EASIER FOR YOUR OLD HORSE
The season ahead may be hard on aging horses in cold climates but with some planning and preparation you can help yours sail through until spring.
7 THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT TETANUS
With modern vaccines and wound management practices, tetanus is almost a thing of the past. But the threat persists, so it’s wise to remember which horses are most at risk and why.
THE FIRST AMERICAN “SPORT HORSE” BREED
The very name of the American Standardbred reflects the performance requirement established at the inception of the breed. Here’s how genetics, conformation and training came together to create horses that could trot a mile in 2:30 or less, or pace it in 2:00 flat.
THE 6 WAYS HORSES LEARN
You’ll be more successful in teaching your horse new skills or maneuvers if your lessons, timing and tasks are aligned with his natural modes of acquiring information.
