Where would I stand if..

[PeterNatt]

The legal position is that the yard owner is responsible for protecting anyone on her property.

She has to make it quite clear in her contract with each of the liveries and any relatives, friends, instructors etc. that they must under no circumstances take feed in to the field She must also be seen to enforce it.

If an accident occurs and she has not taken the above precautions then she will become liable for any accident that occurs.

 

[Merlotmonster]

Quote
"No, sorry, I don't think so. There would be no "negligence" to be proven over this. If they were suing the owner of the horse it would be under The Animals Act, in light of Mirvahedy v. Henley, so there is strict liability."



As I wrote just two posts up!

 

[Bedlam]

This is dificult because I can see a lot of angles here. I would, however, be concerned that children are going into a field containing my horse unsupervised anyway, with or without food, because accidents can and do happen.

At my yard children under the age of 14 are not allowed to go into any field without adult supervision. This can sometimes be a bit of a pain as my very competent 12 yr old had been dealing with her and my horses at home on her own before we moved her competition pony to a livery yard when she went away to school. She's actually more competent and aware than some of the adults on the yard! BUT I approve of the rule and go with her to turn out and bring in. Other children are just not so aware, and I think the YO is being rather irresponsible not to have such a rule at your yard. Perhaps he just doesn't realise the consequences?

Perhaps the children's ponies could be kept in a different field?

Not much practical use I'm afraid.......sorry!