Duty of care query

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WishfulThinker

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I am one of these people that is quite happy to let other people pootle about with my horse, and ride him if Im busy or they just want a mess about.
Now one of the girls who rode him the other day is only 13, but I know she has ridden for a while, and her dad was at the yard. They did only just ride in the school, but afterwards it occured to me that if they had gone on a hack and something had happened I might be in trouble...............well even if tyhey were in the school I migth be in trouble.

So my question is that at what age do people take on resposibility for their own actions etc? Like if I know this girl can ride, has done for years and she rides my horse iwth my permission is she aknoweleging the risks, or as she is 13 is it her father?
Should I even let them ride him at all when I'm not there??

Also the girl that turns him out at weekend sis 15, if something happens to her on turning them out, am I liable? He is insured and I am a BHS gold member to.
 
If anything were to happen and they decided to sue you then I believe your insurance company would cover this. Your horse, presumably, is covered for any rider to ride him so I wouldn't worry too much.
 
I think it depends on many things. Even though you say she can ride, if she fell, and her parents decided to sue, your only leg to stand on is "she can ride, and has done so for years" however, that isn't of a standard, and they can therefore say that she's only had 1 ride every now and then.

secondly, depends on whether she pays you for riding. This is either cash/cheque or jobs for you (ie mucks out, so can ride)

Thirdly, Every rider should have riders only policy ~ so check to see if she has this.

Finally, a 15 yo bringing in/turning out? Is this part of an agreement with the yard you're on? Or just because she wants to? She may or may not be covered. However, if she was bringing in, and your horse had an accident ~ your horse may not be covered!!

Blumming Insurance is a tangled web!
 
I am dealing with my friends insurance claim at the moment where she had let her other friend ride her horse out on a hack. There was a traffic accident and both horse and rider were killed. ( am dealing with it because she cant face having to sort out everything herself ) The rider was insured as she had permission to ride and wasnt paying for the ride. I believe if payment is made then it makes your insurance invalid. I dont think the question of who takes responsibility is an issue really. She should still be insured regardless of whoever takes responsibility. All i will say after having to sort this horrible and tragic mess out is PLEASE check with your insurance company whether she would be insured. It has really made me think about insurance and whether i would let anyone else take control of my own horse. I would hate for someone else to be in this situation.
 
Hi Beau,
When a mare I had literally stood on a friends head when she was running up horse for me for vet(horse spookedand friend fell horse went over top of her,stood on her head when getting up we think) .Anyway insurance company put me to local solicitors who told me that it appearred to be an accident and negligence would have to be proved(there was none just a run up gone wrong!)but if friend had been 14 or under it would be different, accident or not(friend was 22/23 at time)This was 3/4 yrs ago.May be worth checking out just in case same rule would apply to your situation.
 
I agree. Everyone should check their insurance every year. I have people asking me if their children can ride my ponies and I just say no now. Im not covered adequately. Im not even allowed to let someone lead my horse up the road!!!
 
Thanks, I will check. She is not paid to ride him, and she does already have her own horse - who is actually harder to ride than Beau - Hense why I think she wanted to ride him and not her own horse :/ .
The 15yr old that turns out does so as I cant get up their early enough, but she is not paid for this.

Also random people bring him in at night as I dont get there till after 6 and all the other horses are in and it seems there is now a rule that no horse can be left in the field on its own and I cant afford to pay someone to bring him in.

I shall be reading through my insurance docs tonight! He is insured for everything up to Hunting etc so I hope he is covered for other people using him.
 
Hi,Beau,
The rule was put in place cos people were leaving horse on their own (one 4/5 yr old overnight ) and some horses were a bit unhappy when this happened.Don't think people expect to be paid when this happens ,well I certainly don't.
All I will say tho I was insured I was suprised at what they won't actually pay for.Til then I thought I was insured for anything the horse did and friend would get help with livery costs etc as they were out of action for about a yr plus(luckily YO was great didn't charge friend livery for about yr and all other liveries chipped in with help and shavings etc not a lot of yards would do that) but no it is insurance against being sued for something horse does.It doesn't nescessarily mean they will pay up.Different if you have personal bit but think it has conditions on it depending on damage done.It was (still am)Petplan we are with.Just think its def worth checking out as you say you are.
Sorry for ramble it is still a bit of a touchy/guilt trip subject.
 
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