14 terms defined in plain language
Care custody & control, equine activity statutes, umbrella policies — liability terms every horse owner should know.
Liability coverage for damage to horses belonging to others while in your professional care. Essential for trainers, boarders, and haulers.
State laws that limit liability for equine professionals and sponsors for injuries from "inherent risks." Does not eliminate all liability.
Risks intrinsic to equine activities that cannot be eliminated. Equine activity liability statutes protect against claims from inherent risks.
Document signed by participants acknowledging inherent risks and releasing liability. Common at events, boarding facilities, and lesson programs. Does not eliminate all liability.
A person or entity temporarily entrusted with the care of an animal belonging to another. Trainers, boarders, and veterinarians are common animal bailees with specific legal obligations.
Coverage designed for equine businesses — boarding, training, lessons, breeding, events. Covers business-related liability that personal policies exclude.
Potential liability that depends on a future event. Example: liability for a horse's actions that may or may not occur.
Legal obligation to provide reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm. Horse owners, trainers, and facility operators all owe a duty of care.
Extreme carelessness demonstrating reckless disregard for safety. Equine activity liability statutes and waivers typically do NOT protect against gross negligence claims.
A contractual clause where one party agrees not to hold the other liable. Common in boarding, training, and facility use agreements. Enforceability varies by state.
Legal responsibility without proof of negligence. Some states apply strict liability to animal owners — you're liable for your horse's actions regardless of precautions taken.
Insurance that pays claims made by someone other than the policyholder. Liability coverage is third-party — it pays people your horse injures or whose property it damages.
A policy providing additional liability coverage above the limits of underlying policies. Relatively affordable for the additional protection provided. Recommended for horse property owners.
Liability imposed on one person for the actions of another. An employer may be vicariously liable for an employee's negligent horse handling.
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