For a long time now horses have proved to be very versatile animals. Cherished by many they are used for leisure, transportation, racing and other sports, working and kept as pets. Many of these activities are potentially exceedingly very lucrative and without healthy, able horses would be impractical. They are also dangerous and injuries to humans, property and expensive horses can result.

In horseracing top trainers earn millions per year and racehorses can sell for hundreds of thousands. It is quite understandable, with such large amounts of money, love and devotion involved that when something goes wrong that legal redress may need to be sought.

Generally equine law is governed by the laws applicable to contract and negligence. For example suppose a prize racehorse is entered to an event which was prohibited by contract and that horse suffered an injury, that that injury was then negligently treated by a vet which led to the horse having to be put down. Under contract and negligence it may be possible to claim damages, for either or both the breach of contract and the negligent treatment. In the high pressured environment many horses work in it is inevitable that injuries may occur with the horses being pushed to the limit. There are also some specialist statutes governing this area.

It is a very precise specialist area of law and should any claim be sought, utilising these specialists in this niece market is essential. Equine law can range greatly and encompasses a diverse range of areas. From personal injury suffered by humans when involved in horse related activities to multimillion pound commercial disputes. With all kinds of things in between such as liability under the Animals Act 1971 for damages caused by ones horses, health and safety compliances and veterinary negligence. Whatever your interest in horses it may be that at some point you will require such specialist advice and particularly if you are keeping horses or running a business relating to them you should familiarise yourself with the legal obligations involved with your operations.