Equine Boarding Contracts: Specific Considerations for Horse Facilities

Equine boarding contracts have some features that distinguish them from other boarding or service agreements. Horses are living animals with unpredictable behavior, significant medical needs, and real financial value to their owners. They're also dangerous, which creates liability exposures that a spa or storage facility simply doesn't face. A well-crafted equine boarding contract addresses these specific realities.

The Equine-Specific Elements

Equine activity risk disclosure: All states have some form of equine activity statute that acknowledges the inherent dangers of horse-related activities. Many of these statutes require that a contract or sign include specific warning language to qualify for the liability protections the statute provides. The exact wording varies by state, and using the wrong language means you don't get the statutory protection. This is the section most important to have an attorney review.

Coggins and health documentation requirements: A boarding contract should specify what health documentation is required and who is responsible for maintaining it. "Owner warrants that horse's Coggins test is current and will maintain current Coggins certification throughout the boarding relationship" is clear and enforceable. This protects your facility from a Coggins violation at a show or during transport.

Vaccination requirements: What vaccinations do you require boarded horses to have? List them specifically: core vaccines at minimum (West Nile, Eastern and Western equine encephalitis, rabies, tetanus), and any additional vaccines your facility requires (influenza, rhinopneumonitis, strangles). Specify the update interval.

Farrier and dental care: Some boarding contracts specify a minimum care standard that owners must maintain: farrier care every 6 to 8 weeks, annual dental care. If a horse's untrimmed hooves are affecting its health, you need contractual authority to require the owner to address it.

Medication administration authorization: If you'll be administering medications the owner provides, specify the authorization: "Owner authorizes barn staff to administer medications as instructed in the horse's care record." Also specify your limitations: what you won't administer (controlled substances without specific written authorization, injections if your staff isn't trained) and what constitutes a veterinary emergency that requires owner contact.

Manure and biosecurity: If a horse arrives with a suspected or confirmed infectious condition, what are your procedures? Defining biosecurity expectations in the contract gives you authority to isolate horses when needed.

Handling the Liability Section

The liability section of an equine contract does two things: it discloses that horses are dangerous (putting the boarder on notice of the inherent risks), and it limits the barn's liability for incidents that occur. The second function is what requires legal review.

Blanket "not responsible for anything" language is often unenforceable. The specific equine activity statute language your state requires is usually more carefully crafted and more likely to hold up. An attorney who handles equine law in your state is the right resource.

For the full boarding contract framework, see boarding contracts and boarding agreement essentials. For management of signed contracts, see boarding contract management.