Category Archives: Legally Speaking

As the owner of a boarding or training barn, you’re likely going to hire people to give you a hand to help train customers, whether that’s a full or part-time...

Whether at home, on the road, in the air, or at a show, our horses require care to prevent injury and maintain peak condition. The administrative aspects of horse care...

In Europe, a new directive (EU Directive 2019/771) has been passed by the European Parliament that aims to protect the consumer in the purchase of goods, presumably including horses. While...

In the hunter and jumper rings, catch riding is common occurrence. A green or mischievous horse or pony matched with a timid or novice rider can present notable challenges, especially...

Boarders come and boarders go, but sometimes they leave with unpaid bills. What happens when a barn owner has a boarder that leaves with a large unpaid balance? Unfortunately, most...

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are signed documents that are typically utilized in businesses to protect an organization’s confidentiality. This practice of having employees sign NDAs has been steadily growing in the...

While the 2020 show season is anything but typical, many of us are still planning to ship our horses to year-end finals and championships or are preparing to send our...

The topic of buying a horse unseen comes up from time to time in our practice and it can be tempting, especially with travel to Europe largely halted amid COVID....

Q: I’m shopping for my first horse. I’ve been warned about sellers who misrepresent their sale horses—what types of situations should I be wary of during my search?   A: I’m...

Q: I recently began offering boarding services at my barn, and I would like to have a local instructor/trainer come and teach lessons to my boarders. I only have a...

Question: I board my horse at a local stable, and unfortunately, he damaged his stall door overnight. We don’t know exactly what happened, but thankfully he wasn’t injured. However, the...

Q: When our barn’s lesson program starts back up again after the quarantine, should I let my horse be used in my trainer’s lessons in order to help offset my...

Question: I suddenly find myself with time for all the paperwork I've been putting off. (Thanks, COVID-19). What documents should I be focusing on to make the most of my...

Question: What’s the best way to ensure a safe future for a horse you’ve sold? Armand Leone: It’s an all too common scenario. Breeders and owners lose track of a...

Q: We are planning to rent a golf cart during an upcoming horse show in Florida. Can my 14-year-old daughter drive the cart, even though she doesn’t have a driver’s...

Q: I work as a groom, but I also compete myself in the amateur jumpers. I occasionally longe horses for other clients, but I was just told that this revoke’s...

Q: My neighbors set off fireworks in their backyard (directly over my barn and pastures!) for two nights in a row. The first night, my horses were in their stalls,...

Q: I just received notice that someone filed a U.S. Equestrian protest questioning my amateur status after they learned that I regularly hack horses for my trainer and help out...

Q: Several big-name trainers have been in legal disputes over sales commissions in the past. How do I know if the person brokering my horse's sale is taking me for...

Q: I'm selling my horse. A prospective buyer who rides with a trainer I trust wants to take him on a two-week trial basis. What documentation should I put in...