Advice about removing a horse from a livery yard

[Aurelia]

I own a young horse at a stud. There is a recent dispute concerning money that is or is not owed. I have never had any sort of contract. Can I legally remove my horse and settle the financial dispute separately? I have tried to discuss this but the owner will not talk to me and although I am not avoiding paying what is due, I will not pay for what is not owed.

 

[Melody Grey]

My thoughts (non legal expert) Yes, as far as I know you’re at liberty to remove your horse as you wish. Any livery owed would need to give the notice period that you usually pay (weekly or monthly) from the date of making it known you’re going. Contracts can be verbal as well as written, so you must have some kind of agreement with the yard owner?

You don’t say what the money owing is for. If there is a dispute, I’d pay what I thought I owed before leaving, substantiating why that was the amount I’d paid. If the owner wants to pursue you for the rest, they are welcome to do that through the small claims court. May not be worth their while depending on the amount, but reputation goes a long way, so I’d be reluctant to cause a rift. If the amount is small it may be better to just pay up and chalk it up to experience?

ETA: just occurred to me that your young horse may be a stallion standing at stud in which case it may be more complicated- you must have some kind of agreement with the yard owner?

 

[ihatework]

Yes you can legally remove your horse and let the stud owner pursue you via the courts (or potentially just bad mouth you locally).

Without knowing the details and the amounts I’d suggest if it’s just a small niggly amount then it’s probably not worth the aggro, just pay and go. Obviously if talking a larger sum then it might be worth fighting

 

[Aurelia]

It is over £1000 allegedly and they are also claiming £600 damage to a vehicle but no contract ever and no repair quote or evidence of damage. I agree that paying what I think is owed is a good idea. Separating the horse removal and agreeing the outstanding monies are two different issues and I will remind them of that.

 

[Melody Grey]

With the £600 vehicle damage, I’d be inclined to refer them to your liability insurer….who will no doubt tell them where to go if they’re not willing to provide any evidence.

 

[Melody Grey]

Worth saying also that by you can get legal advice through BHS membership if you have that?

 

[ihatework]

It is over £1000 allegedly and they are also claiming £600 damage to a vehicle but no contract ever and no repair quote or evidence of damage. I agree that paying what I think is owed is a good idea. Separating the horse removal and agreeing the outstanding monies are two different issues and I will remind them of that.

Definitely pay what you owe in terms of weekly livery rate (including the notice period) and any reasonable extras.
Put that in writing.
Then advise of the sum under dispute and reasons why.
Car damage - provide your insurance details and leave them to sort it.

 

[dorsetladette]

Yep I'd keep the two issues separate. If damaged is meant to be caused by the horse put them in touch with your 3rd party insurance people. If damage is from you (i don't know reversing into something maybe) then put them in touch with your car insurance.

Pay what livery you owe with proof and covering letter (keep a copy) and bow out gracefully.

Leave the insurance company to deal with the other issues. Putting a 3rd party in the mix when dealing with a dispute takes the emotion out of things.