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Showing 53 posts from 2012.

Trick Rider Loses Her Product Liability Case Regarding Defective Saddle

A 2001 case involved the plaintiff, a highly experienced trick rider, who was dragged from her horse and injured while engaging in trick riding activity. She sued the saddle manufacturer, Weaver Leather Goods, claiming that an off-billet on the saddle was defective. Her lawsuit claimed that the saddle maker violated a provision of the Tennessee Uniform Commercial Code by breaching an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. She also sued for products liability and failure to warn. Read More ›

Categories: Liability

Your Stable’s Holiday Party: Avoid Legal Pitfalls

The holiday season is here, and many stables around the country are hosting their annual year-end parties for customers and friends.  But celebrations can quickly turn to tragedies.  Here are some suggestions to avoid liability: Read More ›

Categories: Liability

How Much Time is Enough Time to Read a Liability Release?

Once you have presented your liability release form to a new customer, how much time is enough time to allow him or her to read the document before signing?  In some states, when the enforceability of a liability release is at issue, courts have focused on the amount of time given to the signer before executing the document.

Is “two seconds” enough? Read More ›

Categories: Liability

Is a Babysitter Who Signs the Release for a Child a “Legal Guardian”?

Equine facilities nationwide have encountered the problem of busy parents who allow babysitters, non-parental relatives, or family friends to drive their children for riding lessons.  Can a babysitter, relative, or family friend sign a liability release on behalf of the child?

Legally, no.  Why? Read More ›

Categories: Liability

Can You Contract With a Child?

A teenager, 17 years old, drives herself to your stable and expresses an interest in buying or leasing one of your horses.  She is old enough to drive a car, but is she old enough to enter into a contract with you?

The answer is no.  Unless she has reached the age of majority in the applicable state, she does not have the legal capacity to enter into a contract with you. Read More ›

Categories: Liability, Sales/Disputes

Papers, Papers - Who Has the Papers? Part II - Avoiding Registration Paper Disputes

Part one of this series explored the buyer's legal rights against sellers who fail or refuse to provide breed registration papers.  This part examines suggestions for buyers to consider in an attempt to avoid equine registration paper disputes. Read More ›

Categories: Sales/Disputes

Papers, Papers - Who has the Papers? Part I – Legal Rights in Registration Paper Disputes

Two months ago you bought the mare you always wanted.  Your goal was to win championships in breed-recognized horse shows and then retire the mare for breeding.  A terrible problem has derailed your plans:  The seller will not transfer the horse's registration papers into your name.  Your arsenal of weapons is limited -- there is no written sales contract, but you recall the seller promising to send you the horse's papers "right away" the day you gave him your money (a promise he now denies ever making).

What are the buyer's options in these types of situations?  Here are a few of them: Read More ›

Categories: Sales/Disputes

Selling a Horse on Installment Payments: Part III – Avoiding Common Disputes

Over the years, horse sellers have entered another’s property, such as a private barn or pasture, in an attempt to repossess a horse, only to face costly legal battles and sometimes even criminal charges of trespass and theft, as a result.

Here are suggestions for avoiding equine installment sales disputes. Read More ›

Categories: Sales/Disputes

Selling a Horse on Installment Payments - Part II: Common Disputes

Here are common risks involving installment sales.  Part III addresses ways to minimize them.

1) The Buyer Stops Making Payment

The most common risk of an installment payment arrangement is also the most foreseeable – the buyer stops paying.  Horse owners, unlike banks, put themselves at greater risk of encountering this problem because they fail or refuse to gather important information about the creditworthiness of a buyer, even if the buyer is a total stranger. Read More ›

Categories: Sales/Disputes

Selling a Horse on Installment Payments: Part 1 - What is an Installment Sale?

Banks do it.  Credit card issuers do it.  Horses can be expensive, and buyers often ask sellers to spread out their payments over months, or even years.  Should you, the horse seller, do it? Read More ›

Categories: Sales/Disputes

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Contact Us - Julie Fershtman

"Julie Fershtman is considered by many to be the nation's leading expert on equine activity liability acts. Her 30-minute presentation for a recent educational webinar on equine activity liability acts for the American Horse Council is available for viewing. Please take a look, here's a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCROISSPMJs

Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Wins Fourth National Award

Julie Fershtman’s latest book, Equine Law and Horse Sense, won its fourth national award on May 31, 2021. It was selected to receive a "Finalist" Medal in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. 

The 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards are presented by Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group, which is the largest International awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. Here’s a link for the complete list of 2021 winners and finalists: https://www.indiebookawards.com/winners.php?year=2021 

Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Third National Award

Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.

The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners

Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0

Equine Blog Ranked in Feedspot

Foster Swift's Equine Law Blog was ranked #8 in Feedspot.com's "15 Best Equine Law Blogs and Websites".

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

In 2022, Julie Fershtman is scheduled to be a speaker on equine liability at these conventions:

Fershtman’s Equine Law Book Receives Second National Award

Julie Fershtman’s book, Equine Law & Horse Sense, published by the American Bar Association, has been selected to receive a 2020 NYC Big Book Award in the category of “Reference” books.

The NYC Big Book Awards draws nominations world-wide. This is the third award for Fershtman’s book since its publication last year. Here is a link for more information, and to see the list of winners: https://www.nycbigbookaward.com/2020winners

Information on the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164105493X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0

Honors & Recognitions

Equine lawyer, Julie Fershtman, has received these prestigious equine industry awards from respected equine organizations:

"Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award" - American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Law Section Animal Law Committee

"Distinguished Service Award" - American Youth Horse Council

"Industry Service Award" - Michigan Equine Partnership

"Catalyst Award"- Michigan Horse Council

"Outstanding Achievement Award" - American Riding Instructors Association 

"Partner in Safety Award" - American Riding Instructors Association 

"Associate Service Award" - United Professional Horseman's Association

"National Partnership in Safety" Award" - Certified Horsemanship Association 

Some of our Equine Law Services

Handling breach of contract, fraud/ misrepresentation, commercial code, and other claims involving equine-related transactions including purchases/sales, leases, mare leases/foal transfers, and partnerships.

Litigating a wide variety of equine-related disputes in court or through alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, mediation, facilitation).

Defending equine/farm/equestrian industry professionals,  businesses, and associations in personal injury claims and lawsuits.

Drafting and negotiating contracts for boarding, training, sales, waivers/releases, leases, and numerous other equine-related transactions.

Representing and advising insurers on  coverage and policy language as well as litigation;

Advising equine industry clubs and associations regarding management, rules, bylaws, disputes, and regulations.

Representing some of the equine industry's top trainers, competitors, stables, and associations.

Counseling industry professionals, stable managers, and individual horse owners. 

THE NATION'S MOST SOUGHT-AFTER EQUINE LAW SPEAKER

Did you know Julie Fershtman has spoken at the American Horse Council Annual Meeting, Equine Affaire, US Hunter/Jumper Association Annual Meeting, Midwest Horse Fair, Equitana USA, US Dressage Federation Annual Meeting, North American Riding for the Handicapped (now PATH International) Annual Meeting, American Paint Horse Association Annual Meeting, US Pony Clubs, Inc.'s Annual Meeting, All-American Quarter Horse Congress, American Youth Horse Council Annual Meeting, American Riding Instructors Association Annual Meeting, CHA Annual Meeting, and numerous others? Consider signing her up for your convention. Contact Julie directly.

Follow Us on Twitter!

Follow us for updates regarding news, cases, disputes, and issues regarding Equine Law. @horselawyers