Equine Law Blog

Stable Rules: What’s On Your Wall?

Boarding, lesson, and training stables have one thing in common – they all have clients and visitors on the property. For the general safety of the facility, stable managers sometimes develop and post stable rules that everyone should follow

Benefits of Stable Rules

The greatest benefit of stable rules is that they promote safety and cleanliness. Stables have every reason to expect each person who enters the facility to follow them as a condition for being allowed on the property.

What Goes into a Stable Rule?

All facilities differ in their rules, and sometimes rules are adopted to a particular incident or problem from repeating. Here are examples of some stables’ rules:

• Clients must adhere to stable’s posted hours of operation, except in the case of emergencies or with stable’s advance permission.
• No smoking is allowed on or near the Stable’s property.
• No alcoholic beverages are allowed on the Stable’s property, except with the Stable manager’s advance permission (such as for special events).
• Cars must be parked in designated areas during business hours.
• Customers must check Stable's bulletin board weekly for important information and updates.
• All customers and visitors under age 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Boarders are not permitted to enter other horses’ stalls or areas in which other peoples’ horses are stabled.
• No dogs are allowed on the Stable’s premises, other than the Stable's dogs.
• All visitors or guests must sign Stable’s release of liability and have a signed copy on file with Stable management.
• Stable reserves the right to change its rules and will give clients advance notice of changes.

Making the Rules Part of a Contract

Stables can reaffirm their rules, and make sure that all customers have a copy, by attaching their most current rules to the boarding or training contract. To allow flexibility, stables can also reserve the right to amend their rules with advance notice to the customer.

Stable rules require attention to detail. When questions arise, consult with a knowledgeable lawyer.

Categories: Boarding, Contracts