A horse boarding contract is a legal document entered into between a barn or stable owner and a horse owner. It includes a wealth of information that dictates the expectations of both parties as well as the results of certain circumstances, such as breaking the contract or failing to pay.
Before boarding a horse, it is a good idea for horse owners to read the agreement with all family members and with an attorney, if necessary.
Names of Both Parties
The introduction of a typical horse boarding contract states the names of all parties concerned as well as their addresses and other contact information. It will also include alternate names, such as the D.B.A. (doing business as) of the stable owner. For example, the barn owner might be Jane Doe, while her D.B.A. is Doe Boarding Stables.
Fees & Terms
The next section of the typical horse boarding contract is devoted to the fees and terms of the services provided. It will tell the horse owner exactly how much they must pay per month (or week, or any other time delineation) as well as when that amount must be paid.
For example, board might be $500 per month, due by the first of every month. It will also include a description of late fees.
Description of Animals
Any boarding contract should include detailed descriptions of the horses covered in the board agreement. The horses' names, colors, breeds, markings, registration information, tattoo descriptions and other applicable information is essential. The boarding agreement might also require the owner to disclose medical history and insurance information for the horses covered.
Boarding Facilities
When boarding a horse, the facilities are likely one of the primary considerations. In this section of the contract, the stable owner should disclose all amenities of which the boarder can avail himself. They might include access to arenas, tack rooms, paddocks, farm equipment, medical supplies and more.
The agreement should also mention the services the stable will provide, such as feeding, mucking out stalls, watering and turning out horses. If any of these things isn't listed, horse owners should inquire about them rather than assuming they will be offered.
Medical & Vaccination Information
The next section of the boarding agreement will list the medical and vaccination requirements for the horse to enter the stable owner's property. These laws vary by state, but in most cases, the horse must have a current negative Coggins test as well as a tetanus vaccination.
Hold Harmless
Although there are likely signs posted at the stable that include this information, it should also be added to the boarding contract. A hold harmless agreement relinquishes the stable from any liability for loss, disease, death, theft or any other circumstances beyond their direct control.
Emergencies
This section of the boarding contract should detail the steps that are taken by the stable in event of an emergency. For example, will the stable call the veterinarian first, or attempt to contact you as soon as a problem is discovered? In some cases, the horse owner can specify.
Barn Rules
Every stable or barn has a list of rules by which all of its boarders must abide. In most cases, barn rules are attached to the horse boarding contract as an addendum, and horse owners must sign or initial a copy to certify that they have read and understood all rules.
Default
The next section of the horse boarding contract will outline the steps that should be taken in the event of a default by either party. In other words, if either the stable owner or the horse owner breaks one of the rules or observes an act of negligence, how is the situation resolved?
In most cases, the boarding agreement will allow the injured party to collect legal fees in addition to pursuing the case in a court of law. It might assign any legal dispute to a particular jurisdiction (e.g. the county in which the stable is located), and the stable will most likely require that all unpaid sums be due upon termination of the contract.
Notice of Termination
In a horse boarding contract, notice of termination is the amount of time either party must give the other in order to terminate the boarding contract. This is usually 30 or 60 days, though it can be as much as 90 days.
Right of Lien
Finally, the horse boarding contract will most likely give the stable owner the right to take a lien in the event of non-payment. In other words, he or she can confiscate a piece of your property at the barn that is equal to the value of unpaid sums.
A horse boarding contract is a legal document, so horse owners should understand every facet of the agreement before signing it. If any part of the agreement is unclear, the horse owner should have the document evaluated by an attorney to protect his or her interests.
 |
