Boarding Agreement Essentials: What Every Equestrian Facility Contract Must Include

A well-written boarding agreement is one of the most important documents a barn manager will create. It defines the terms of the boarding relationship, establishes expectations for both parties, and provides the legal foundation for enforcing your policies when disputes arise. A vague or incomplete agreement creates ambiguity that inevitably surfaces at the worst moment, usually when a horse is injured, a payment is missed, or a boarder is leaving.

The Core Sections of a Boarding Agreement

Parties and horse identification: Full legal names of both parties (barn owner/operator and horse owner), the horse's name, breed, age, and any registration or microchip information. If the horse is co-owned, all owners should be named.

Board package and fees: The specific board package the horse is on, the monthly fee, and a clear description of what is and is not included. "Full board includes: stall, daily turnout from 8 AM to 4 PM, AM and PM hay per facility's standard feeding program, water, and stall cleaning once daily. Not included: grain, supplements, blanketing, farrier, veterinary care, or additional services." Vagueness here is the primary source of billing disputes.

Add-on services and pricing: A list of available add-on services with prices or a reference to an attached rate sheet. Specify the billing method for each (monthly flat rate, per occurrence).

Payment terms: Invoice date, due date, grace period, late fee structure, accepted payment methods, and the process for accounts more than 30 days past due.

Veterinary care authorization: Who is authorized to approve veterinary care on behalf of the horse in case of emergency? What is the limit of care the facility will authorize before reaching the owner? What happens if the owner cannot be reached?

Release of liability: A well-drafted liability release addresses the inherent risks of equine activities. This section should be drafted or reviewed by an attorney familiar with your state's equine liability law, as these vary significantly by state.

Termination provisions: How much notice is required from each party to end the boarding relationship? What happens to unpaid balances upon departure? Is a security deposit held, and under what conditions is it returned?

Care standard and special instructions: A section for the boarder to document any special feeding instructions, medications, turnout preferences, or handling notes that differ from the barn's standard practices.

Health and vaccination requirements: What health documentation (Coggins, vaccination records) does the barn require to be current, and who is responsible for maintaining them?

What Makes an Agreement Enforceable

An agreement is only as useful as your ability to enforce it. A few practical notes:

• Both parties should sign, and each should retain a copy.
• Date the agreement and include a provision for how amendments are handled.
• If your state has specific equine activity liability laws, reference them in the agreement.
• Have an attorney review the liability release section. Generic templates from the internet may not comply with your state's requirements.

For storing and managing signed agreements, see boarding agreement management. For how to communicate the agreement to new boarders, see boarding agreement communication.