Is it OK to buy a horse from an under 18 year old?

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Holbert

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I've found a horse I like, but the vendor is only 14 (going on 40) and shows no inclination to involve her parents in the sale.

She's haggled with me over price and we've set a price, but I'm just a bit nervous of buying from an under 18. The passport says she is the horse's owner and a family friend of hers (aged about 50) was present when we were talking about the price?

What do you guys think?
 
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You could ask for written confirmation from her parents, or ask them to be present when you pick the horse up? You don't want to get the horse home to find she has sold it withpout permission if they are the legal owners.
 
Yeach I would agree with touchstone, I'm sure I read a thread on here last year relating to ownership and age, and pretty positive that a minor can't legally own a horse
 
Well if the passport states shes the owner i guess its up to her to sell! Its not like her parents could make you give it back if they disagreed with her selling. If the horse is your dream horse dont let it put you off! x
 
I sold a few horses before I was 18, and from what I remember, my parents weren't really involved as neither of them are horsey. So I dealt with the viewings and price and so on, and agreed the sale.

I reckon if there was a family friend present then it is probably fine - but given that she is 14 rather than 16 or over, I'd probably check that it's okay with the parents. Maybe try to be subtle and ask about handing over the money, that you want to be sure an adult is around to take her to the bank if she's collecting a large sum of cash.
 
Do not enter into a contract with her. As she is under 18, your contract is not legally enforceable. Say you agree the price, but warranty, bill of sale etc MUST be signed by one of her parents.
 
Minors can only have contracts legally enforced on them if its for necessaries. So unless she is entirely independent legally (wouldn't be the case in the UK) & uses the horse in a business that provides her with basic needs like food & shelter (again, wouldn't be the case in UK) any contracts a waste of paper. If you're a bhs member ring them for advice. If not, tell the girl you need parents/guardian to sign too.
 
I think you can legally own a horse from the age of 16 - so with her being 14, she can't be the legal "owner" of the horse and so can't sell it without the owners permission. I would have thought that one of her parents must have signed the bill of sale when they bought the pony? That would make them the legal owner and so they will have to sign the bill of sale if you buy it.
Does the passport say she is the owner or the keeper?
 
Moon said:
Well if the passport states shes the owner i guess its up to her to sell! Its not like her parents could make you give it back if they disagreed with her selling. If the horse is your dream horse dont let it put you off! x
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Passport is not proof of ownership, she may be manipulative, so may have just filled details in herself. Parental involvement essential.
 
I know its not the same thing but I've dealt with a 13 yr old over the phone whilst selling one of my clients horses, she seemed very knowledgeable, sounded capable, keen and honest, was sensible about her abilities and the price she was willing to pay and even honestly stated that her parents didn't have a clue about horses but were willing to pay for regular tuition, horse stabled on a well run, approved yard etc, however as soon as I mentioned speaking to her parents, all went quiet and I never heard from her again. I personally dislike dealing with teenagers/children/minors in general as find it could potentially become a little bit of a mine field when push comes to shove.

I agree with above posts about wanting to speak to parents, I think it would be a sensible move and covers your own back at the same time. If she gets upset about involving her parents, perhaps she isn't that mature after all?
 
I don't think she old enough to form a contract with you under sixteen ,I think you must deal with the parents at some point .
If you are a BHS gold member use the legal helpline.
 
Intersting thread.
Of our equines, one is my daughters, and registered passport in her name. Another registered jointly with her and myself.
She was 14 when we registered the first one in her name. I would expect her to take full responsibility for the sale of hers should we/she need to.
the only things in my name are insurance and vets as legally they have to be.
We did it it this was,not just because the pony is hers,because it is less complicated should something happen to, say me, as she can then at least act accordingly.
She is sensible and grown up and would have few problesm interacting with adults should a sale situation arise.
 
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