Buying a horse contract template?

[WillowTree21]

Hi All,

Does anyone have a template for a contract when purchasing a horse?

Thanks

 

[conniegirl]

Its not normal to have a contract for buying a horse.

Just get a vetting, a receipt and keep a copy of the advert.

 

[ihatework]

I’ve never had a contract, either selling or buying. Just a receipt.

On a receipt if selling I’d generally include the following:

Name and address of buyer and seller.
Date and confirmation of receipt of payment.
Basic description of horse: name, colour, sex, height
Passport and microchip number
Any tack/equipment it comes with
Any declared vices/behaviour/vet declarations
Date vetted, or statement that open to vet and buyer declined.
Signatures

 

[The Jokers Girl]

I am happy to be corrected if wrong but if its a private sale it won't be worth the paper printed on. If a purchase from a dealer you have certain protections in law that won't need to be written into a contract as they are implied at time of sale and the dealer is bound by them.
The best you can do is ask for full written disclosure of horses history of behaviour and vet records and try it more than once ensuring it is you that gets in from field, handles it in stables, grooms, tacks up etc. If you want it for a specific purpose try it for that purpose, do a small dressage test, go over some jumps, try to hack on own etc and for the love of God get a vetting.

 

[WillowTree21]

The horse has been loaned for a couple of years & is now being purchased, so no advert etc.

I’m purchasing on behalf of someone so wanted to make sure there was correct paperwork..

I’ll just get a written receipt with horse details on.

thanks,

 

[poacher82]

If you are a BHS member, they offer a free Sale Agreement service - it's all online, you just fill it in and it produces a legal document. Used one for my friend's horse sale a couple of months ago, very easy (although haven't had to test the legality of it, thankfully!)

 

[Widgeon]

If you are a BHS member, they offer a free Sale Agreement service - it's all online, you just fill it in and it produces a legal document.

That's what I used when I sold one last year. Having never sold a horse before it seemed strange to me to sell such a high value, high risk "item" without any sort of a contract! Buyer was fine with it.

 

[WillowTree21]

Thank you both, that was the type of document I was after. I did have a look at BHS but could only see a lob agreement.

Will have a look!

 

[FestiveFuzz]

I would strongly recommend a sales agreement, especially if buying a horse that was previously on loan to the buyer. We ended up in a nasty legal battle as a former owner claimed the previous loan terms still stood almost 2 years after purchase and it was basically our word vs theirs as the only paperwork outside of the loan agreement we had was a basic receipt. A sales agreement would have saved us a lot of stress and heartbreak.

 

[Paddy&Me]

I have to say having a contract saved me a LOT of money and forced a con woman to pay up. I wont go through the whole story but she had successfully pulled off selling unfit horses and also carried out other fraudulent crimes unrelated to horses. She was very reluctant to sign a contract but I insisted. When the horse arrived he was very stiff and I immediately called the vet who signed a signed a statement saying the horse could never be ridden again. I sent the horse back to her and used a debt collection company to eventually get my money back. The only reason they were successful was I had the vets evidence and the BHS contract which states the horse must be fit for the work as advertised and has no undisclosed pre existing conditions. Essentially it was breach of contract and mis sale of goods. I got my money back eventually- the cost of the horse, the vet bills the transport bills etc. She had buted the horse both times I tried him and he was so well schooled he popped the small course I rode him on. When he arrives he was filthy, and had conjunctivitis, plus had sarcoids (well hidden) which she also had not disclosed. It is sad that it is this way these days, but better to be safe than sorry. If I had not had the contract the debt collection company would not have taken the case. It was a horrible experience but I think for buyer and seller alike it is peace of mind.