Equine Law Blog

Equine Insurance Policy Notice Requirements

Imagine the shock of returning from a lengthy vacation only to learn that your horse died at the boarding stable soon after you left, but stable management could not reach you to consent to needed surgery.  Your horse was put down.  Imagine the further shock when your equine insurance company advises you that it has denied your claim because nobody gave it proper or timely notice of your horse’s illness and death.

Equine insurance policies usually require that you give the company (or designated representative) prompt notice of an insured horse's illness, lameness, or injury.  Insurers take these provisions very seriously, and many will deny claims on the basis that they were not given proper notice.  When this happens, litigation sometimes follows. Read More ›

Categories: Boarding, Insurance, Liability

Posted by: Julie I. Fershtman

  |  Contact Author

Share  | 

Should You Reduce or Cancel Your Liability Insurance?

When finances are tight, people sometimes consider canceling or reducing their liability insurance coverage. Watch out – this could be mistake.

What is Liability Insurance?

Liability insurance as to equine activities is designed to protect people from certain unintentional situations where someone is injured either on your property, from an act that occurs around your horse (such as a bite or kick), when your horse gets loose, or from acts that occur when someone rides your horse. Read More ›

Categories: Boarding, Insurance, Liability

Posted by: Julie I. Fershtman

  |  Contact Author

Share  | 

In Tough Financial Times - What Happens When the Boarding Stable Has Not Been Paid?

In these difficult financial times, more boarding stable customers than ever are falling behind in their board payments.

Stable’s Rights

Many states have stablemen's lien laws (sometimes called “agister's lien laws”) that often give the stable a lien (or right of lien) on the boarded horse.  In some states, the lien is created automatically, but in other states, procedures, such as a suit, must be taken to formalize the lien.  Laws can also address whether the stable can deduct side charges (such as legal fees, hauling fees, sale fees, or others) from the sale proceeds.  With wide variations among the laws, stable managers need to check the law carefully before taking drastic action. Read More ›

Categories: Boarding, Liability

Posted by: Julie I. Fershtman

  |  Contact Author

Share  | 

Problems People Encounter With Equine Contracts - And How to Avoid Them

I receive numerous calls from people in the midst of contract disputes.  Most people thought they protected themselves by using a contract, only to discover later that the contract was either silent or unclear on an important aspect of the transaction.

Let me share with you some problems people have encountered with equine industry contracts to help you avoid them. Read More ›

Categories: Boarding, Contracts, Sales/Disputes

Posted by: Julie I. Fershtman

  |  Contact Author

Share  |