Equine Law Blog

Why Horse Owners Need Written Training Contracts

You are leaving your horse with a horse trainer who comes well-recommended but has no experience working with you. Can you trust this person to give your horse humane treatment? If your horse sustains an injury during training, will the trainer keep you informed? Will your horse receive adequate turn-out?

You can leave these matters to guesswork. Or, you can insist on a training contract.

A written training contract can help avoid disputes in several ways.

Fees and payment expectations

Owners need no surprises when invoices arrive. If the contract explains when fees are due, this will help the owner know when to submit timely payments. Also, under the law of some states, the trainer cannot seek to collect interest on an unpaid balance unless the contract specifies this right as well as a legal rate of interest.

Services

A contract provides an excellent opportunity for the owner to learn what services are being provided, how often, and who is providing them. Some trainers, for example, only perform actual training services three days a week, while others will train the horse six days a week for at least a 45 minute session each time. Some trainers delegate almost all of the work to their assistants, while other trainers do everything themselves. If this matters to you, the horse owner, consider having a contract confirm the details. 

Side charges

Some trainers and stables impose extra charges for additional flakes of hay, holding the horse for the vet or farrier, blanketing and un-blanketing, leg wraps for turnout, braiding, or clipping. The contract can specify how much the owner will be billed for them.

Emergencies

The contract can specify how the trainer and her staff will handle veterinary emergencies. If the horse colics and is in need of surgery but the owner cannot be reached, the contract can obligate the trainer to call a designated person and, if that does not succeed, notify the veterinarian and call the equine insurance company at a designated number.

Contracts can help avoid disputes and remind each party of his or her responsibilities. Don’t be afraid to use them, and call us if we can help.

Categories: Contracts, Liability