offering grass livery for 'friend' - contract advice

[charliecrisps]

Does anyone offer a bit of their land out for grass livery? Do you need insurance incase horse gets out/hurt or is this down to the owner. we havent charges much as its a friend but her horse is a bit of a liability it would appear... always chewing fences, trying to escape, charging about, leaning over fence into road... so i just want to make sure i am covered incase anything happens

Does anyone have an example contract in this instance. The ones on internet seem to be more stable and grazing for proper yards.

 

[PeterNatt]

You need to make absolutely sure that the horses owner has valid third party public liability insurance of no less than £10,000,000 (Ten million pounds) and that you have a copy of her insurance policy.
This amount is essential as indicated in a recent court case as the horses owner is rsponsible for any accidents it causes whether the owners fault or not.

You could use the BHS contract and then ammend it but make sure that you get it checked out by a specialist equine solicitor. Produce two copies both of which should be signed and dated by both parties.

 

[LynH]

I let a friend keep her horse in my field but I got my own public liability insurance even though she has her own. My understanding was that if the horse escaped from my property then I would be liable not the horses owner. If I were you I would check with the BHS legal helpline to see if you have any liability for keeping someone else's horse on your property and if you need your own insurance to cover it.

 

[PandorasJar]

her horse is a bit of a liability it would appear... always chewing fences, trying to escape, charging about, leaning over fence into road... so i just want to make sure i am covered incase anything happens

I'd get a professional contract in place regardless of being a friend....

I'd also talk to her about putting preventative measures in; a run of internal temp fencing on any road side fence/a strip of electric on extended insulators etc. You don't want her horse taking a fence out/jumping it and yours following. Make sure you both have adequate insurance in place.

Be clear from the start who damage costs of anything are down to and how quickly they need to be paid for/repaired... in writing!

Pan