TarrSteps
Well-Known Member
'Stable' as in vs 'ridden/driven'
Well, when I read "vice free" I assume the sellers are referring to stable vices, i.e. cribbing, weaving, etc., not whether the horse bites or kicks people (or poos in its water bucket).
Legally speaking, weaving, wind sucking, cribbing and box walking are all "unsoundnesses" that have to be declared when selling a horse.
Anything else is behavioural and should be declared morally and ethically but it's not illegal.
Selling a horse that is "not as described" comes under the Sales of Goods Act ( where a product has to be of merchantable quality ie as described)
There is less legal comeback on a private seller but courts would not look kindly on a seller who deliberately misled a purchaser