Risks of other people riding your horse

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FionaM12

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When I was young and last had a horse, I would happily let any of my friends who I considered capable borrow him. If they wanted to hack out on roads, use him for lessons, fine, it never occured to me to think of the risks.

Nowadays I'm much more risk and liability aware (as I think society is, and not always for the best).

I'm thinking of asking a young teenager I know whether she'd like to help with Mollie in return for riding her. Mollie needs the extra exercise, the youngster wants a horse to ride, and I need a bit of help when I'm at work etc.

Moll's a slightly quirky mare and I'd want to know she can handle her. My idea was to suggest she has a few lessons on Mollie first to see how she gets on, and the instructor can rate her riding. Tbh she's probably a better rider than me :o anyway.

So, what do people think about the risks/liability element? Mollie's insured for accident to herself but not the rider. I could suggest the girl's parents get rider insurance for her. Would that cover me in the unlikely event of her having an accident or might I find myself being sued by the insurance company?

Advice please! :)
 
Sounds fine to me. Mines an old schoolmistress, & because I grew up with her, swopping with friends on hacks etc I haven't really changed in terms of worrying about being sued. When she was young she obviously wasn't a schoolmistress so I didn't want her ruining. But as she's aged I've got more relaxed if anything. Loads & loads of kids & teens have rode her. And at a local show once a tiny girl I only know by sight had a lame pony before lr gymkhana. So apart from asking parents & secretary if borrowing my 14.2 was any good, didn't really consider the legal implications of sticking a random tiny on a pony. If I were you, I'd ring your insurance company & ask them to double check, but sure its fine. And they might do her cheaper rider insurance if already with them.
 
When I used to ride someones horse, they just made me get my own riders insurance, it wasn't expensive either. :)
 
I would say get them to have their own insurance, and maybe draw up an agreement for yourself and the girls parents to sign just saying, you ride at your own risk etc, safety gear to be worn at all times... Just to cover your back.

I had a girl ride my old mare who had a tendency to buck. She knew all about the bucking as did her mum and I made them sign a contract to say ride at your own risk. Unfortunately, she was bucked off and broke her pelvis but is fine now. They were fine about it and didn't blame me but I felt awful :O(

Just cover yourself best you can. xx
 
SpottyFalula said:
I would say get them to have their own insurance, and maybe draw up an agreement for yourself and the girls parents to sign just saying, you ride at your own risk etc, safety gear to be worn at all times... Just to cover your back.
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None of that would actually prevent you (OP) from being sued.

Disclaimers against death and personal injury are completely worthless.
 
Definately have an agreement and as part of the agreement insist that a riding instructor assesses her suitability and there are regular lessons somewhere, that gives you some protection as well as being hugely sensible. The agreement is with the parents and the girl .... its the parents who sue!!! Talk through with the parents potential risks and make sure that you feel comfortable with their attitude.

As for insurance, I would have BHS Gold Membership to protect you. Write the agreement so that the girl rides for free and she can also help in the stable, etc. Don't make the link between riding and work too strong in writing, as that might be construed legally as paid work, and that would complicate matters if there were problems.
 
i recently had a friend who a great rider (and had ridden my horse before a few times) have my lad rear and flip on her. Thank god she wasn't hurt, but it really brought home the risks that are there. Now I was be much more cautious about letting other ride. I think I would def cover myself legally. Saying that i spent my childhood and teenage years bombing round on other peoples pponies and horses, and swopping mine with them. But that accident really made me think! She was so lucky not to be badly hurt or killed.
 
Thank you everyone for your input, it's really helpful.

I'm not absolutely sure whether I'll go ahead with the idea, nor do I know whether the girl I have in mind would be interested. But you've given me useful things to think about. :)
 
Have the girl get herself BHS gold membership, that way she is covered for various things.
ETA: Also draw up a contract on responsibilities, consequences, giving notice etc, and any payments.
 
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