Loaning a horse can be the perfect way to ride regularly without full ownership — but it also hands you real legal and financial responsibilities. Understanding keeper liability, insurance and a watertight loan agreement will protect you, the owner, and most importantly, the horse.
Key takeaway: If you’re the loanee, you are legally the horse’s “keeper” and can be strictly liable for third‑party damage under the Animals Act 1971. Public liability insurance and a professionally drafted loan agreement are non‑negotiable.
What liability do you take on when you loan or share a horse?
As the loanee, you are classed as the horse’s “keeper” and can be held liable for damage the horse causes to other people or property under the Animals Act 1971. The owner (loaner) may also remain liable, so both parties need clarity and insurance.
In UK law, a horse’s “keeper” is the person in day-to-day control — typically the loanee during the loan period. That status brings strict liability for certain types of damage regardless of fault, which is why even careful, competent riders still need robust public liability cover. As equine law specialist Caroline Bowler notes, every rider must act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm, but strict liability can still apply to the keeper when horses behave unpredictably.
“Every rider... owes a duty to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm... The Animals Act 1971 also applies strict liability to the keeper of a horse.” — Caroline Bowler, Equine Law Solicitor, Rothera Bray Solicitors
Practically, this means if your loan horse kicks a car, injures a dog out hacking, or bolts into a cyclist, claims may come to you. Owners can also be named, so both parties should agree responsibilities in writing and confirm insurance before the loan begins.
Do you need insurance to loan a horse?
Yes — public liability insurance is essential for loanees, and the British Horse Society’s Gold membership provides £30 million cover plus a legal helpline. Owners should require proof of the loanee’s cover before handing over the horse.
Public liability responds to third‑party injury or property damage caused by the horse. It’s the protection you hope you’ll never use, but it’s critical when you do. The British Horse Society (BHS) is unequivocal:
“Public Liability Insurance is essential. As a loanee, you are the horse’s keeper and may therefore be responsible for any damage that the horse causes to a third party’s person and/or property.” — British Horse Society
BHS Gold membership includes £30 million public liability cover and access to a free legal helpline for loan disputes — invaluable if livery or vet bills are contested. Petplan Equine reinforces the keeper point too:
“The loanee will be classed as the horse’s keeper and may therefore be liable for any damage that the horse causes to any third party's person and/or property.” — Petplan Equine
Quick tip: Insurance doesn’t transfer with the horse. The loanee should arrange their own public liability (and consider rider accident cover), notify the insurer that the horse is on loan, and provide a copy of the signed loan agreement to the insurer.
For personal safety every time you ride, pair your insurance with the right protective kit — a properly fitted riding helmet and high‑visibility layers for dark UK evenings from our rider hi‑vis range.
What must a UK horse loan agreement include?
A UK horse loan agreement must clearly allocate responsibility for livery, farrier, veterinary fees, insurance and vaccinations, plus set notice periods and welfare clauses for early termination. It should be professionally drafted, especially where liability is limited.
Most loan disputes come down to unclear terms. Avoid them by setting out the essentials in plain English and signing before the horse leaves the owner’s care. Equine solicitors are clear:
“It is essential to have a professionally written horse loan agreement in place... Any such exclusion clauses [on liability] should be drafted by a solicitor to ensure they are legally binding.” — HRJ Foreman Laws
At minimum, include:
- Parties and horse identification: full details, passport number, microchip, age, known vices.
- Financial responsibilities: who pays livery (and rate), shoes/trimming, dentistry, routine and emergency vet fees, worming, vaccinations and insurance.
- Care standards: feeding, turnout routine, clipping, rugging guidelines, exercise program and restrictions (e.g. no hunting, no jumping over X height).
- Use of tack and equipment: what’s loaned with the horse, expected maintenance, wear‑and‑tear definitions, and replacement rules for loss or damage.
- Emergency authority: who authorises treatment and spending limits when the owner can’t be reached, including euthanasia decisions.
- Transport and shows: who can transport the horse, horsebox/trailer insurance requirements, and liability for damage during transit.
- Duration and termination: fixed term or rolling, notice period (e.g. 30 days) and welfare/urgent termination clauses (e.g. non‑payment, neglect, unsafe handling).
- Governing law and jurisdiction: England & Wales unless agreed otherwise, particularly important for cross‑border loans to Ireland.
Pro tip: Document the horse’s condition at handover. Take dated photos, list existing scars, and record tack condition. For high‑value horses, commission a pre‑loan vet report so both parties can rely on independent evidence later.
How do you avoid disputes over bills, wear‑and‑tear and transport damage?
Write it down, photograph it and insure it: record the horse and tack condition at the start, define wear‑and‑tear, agree emergency vet decision‑making, and set transport rules with required horsebox insurance.
Common flashpoints are unsurprising — vets, livery, and tack. Vets may pursue the loanee as the day‑to‑day carer when bills go unpaid, so make costs and authorisation explicit. Define what’s normal wear (e.g. rug rubs, minor scuffs) versus damage (e.g. broken leather, ripped rugs) and how replacement cost is shared by age/condition of the item. Specify how rugs should be used across UK seasons; in a wet British winter, agree weights and spares to prevent arguments about ruined rugs. You can reduce wear‑and‑tear and stay comfortable with quality winter turnout rugs and cosy stable rugs that fit correctly.
If the horse will travel, add a transport clause: who can drive, whether a professional transporter is required, what insurance applies to the vehicle and the horse in transit, and who pays for any damage to a trailer or horsebox. Horsebox policies are separate to public liability and should be checked before the first trip.
Quick tip: Keep shared documents in a cloud folder — loan agreement, insurance certificates, vaccination cards, shoeing schedules and vet notes — so both parties can access them instantly in an emergency.
Who pays livery and what if bills go unpaid?
The loan agreement must state who pays livery and on what schedule; unpaid livery is a civil matter and should be addressed under the agreement’s breach and termination clauses. As the daily keeper, the loanee often faces invoices by default if responsibilities aren’t defined.
State the yard, livery type (DIY, part, full), monthly amount, due date and what happens if livery increases mid‑loan. Add a clause allowing the owner to terminate immediately for non‑payment or welfare concerns, and a practical hand‑back process (e.g. horse returned within 7 days, all kit checked against the inventory, final bills settled before collection). If you have BHS Gold membership, you can access their legal helpline for guidance on enforcing the agreement or responding to a breach.
At Just Horse Riders, we recommend agreeing a simple monthly ledger for transparency: livery, farrier, insurance, routine vet costs, and any ad‑hoc expenses. It keeps both sides aligned and prevents surprises, especially around winter when costs can spike due to extra forage, shoeing changes, and increased rug washing. Keep the horse comfortable and minimise rubs and vet visits by using well‑fitting horse boots and bandages for schooling and turnout when appropriate, and maintaining regular hoof and skin care with our grooming essentials.
How does the Animals Act 1971 and negligence law affect you?
The Animals Act 1971 imposes strict liability on the horse’s keeper for certain damage, and UK negligence law requires you to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm; you cannot exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.
In practice, the Act can make you liable even when you’ve done little wrong — horses are large, sometimes reactive animals. That’s why prudent precautions matter: safe turnout, sensible hacking routes, and appropriate supervision for novice riders. Any attempt to exclude liability must be carefully drafted; clauses that try to exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence are generally unenforceable. Equine solicitors strongly advise getting bespoke drafting where liability limits are included.
This is also where the BHS, Petplan Equine and specialist firms like HRJ Foreman Laws all align: insure adequately, draft professionally, ride responsibly, and keep good records. Combine those with routine preventative care — think joint support and hoof supplements where advised by your vet — to reduce risk. Explore proven options in our horse supplements collection, including trusted names like NAF for support during harder work or colder months.
Cross‑border loans and high‑value horses: what extra terms should you add?
Specify governing law and jurisdiction (England & Wales) for cross‑border loans, especially to Ireland, and take solicitor advice for high‑value horses to ensure liability limits and enforcement are robust.
When a horse steps off UK soil, you add complexity. Make it explicit which country’s law governs the agreement and which courts have jurisdiction. Require the loanee’s insurance to extend to the destination country and cover transport. For valuable horses, invest in a solicitor‑drafted agreement that covers liability caps, security deposits, professional transport only, competition restrictions, and rapid repatriation if welfare or payment concerns arise. This is not the place for a DIY template.
Pro tip: Agree a pre‑loan trial period on the owner’s yard with clear riding limits and a simple “no‑fault” return clause if either party isn’t happy. It’s the cheapest way to avoid the wrong match.
The practical kit and admin checklist before handover
Before the loan starts, exchange proof of public liability insurance, sign the full loan agreement, complete a photographic condition report, agree emergency protocols, and check all essential kit fits and is listed in an inventory.
Here’s a concise pre‑loan checklist you can copy:
- Insurance: loanee’s public liability in place; owner’s policy notified; copies exchanged; insurer given the loan agreement.
- Agreement: signed by both parties; duration, notice and welfare termination set; governing law included.
- Money: who pays livery, farrier, routine/emergency vet, dentistry, worming, vaccinations; when payments are due.
- Care plan: feed, turnout, exercise, clipping, shoeing; restrictions (e.g. hunting or jumping limits).
- Emergency: vet contact, spending authority, euthanasia decision process if unreachable.
- Condition record: photos of horse and tack; any vices or existing injuries noted; optional pre‑loan vet report for higher value or performance horses.
- Transport: who may transport, insurance confirmed, professional transporter if required.
- Trial: defined period and return mechanism before the full loan goes live.
- Kit inventory: rugs, boots, bridle, saddle, numnahs, grooming kit, with condition and estimated value.
Round out your kit so both parties are confident about welfare and wear‑and‑tear. For UK winters and shoulder seasons, choose durable, well‑fitting turnout rugs and reliable stable rugs from brands our customers love. Keep your safety front and centre with a certified riding helmet and brighter‑than‑bright hi‑vis layers for dull afternoons. And don’t forget the day‑to‑day care: protective boots and bandages for work, a solid grooming kit for skin and coat health, and targeted supplements during changes in workload or weather.
Quick tip: Agree a “spares” list for rugs and boots. Having backups reduces damage from ill‑fitting substitutes and avoids last‑minute spending disputes.
Conclusion
Loaning can be a brilliant partnership when you pair the right horse with the right rider — and back it up with the right paperwork and protection. Nail down the agreement, verify insurance, document the handover, and ride with care. If you need support choosing practical kit to minimise wear‑and‑tear and keep you safe, the Just Horse Riders team is here to help.
FAQs
Can a loanee be held liable for damage their loaned horse causes to a third party?
Yes. As the horse’s keeper, the loanee is potentially liable under the Animals Act 1971 for third‑party injury or property damage. Public liability insurance is essential. See guidance from the BHS and Petplan Equine.
Who pays for livery, farrier and vet bills if the loan agreement doesn’t say?
Disputes are common when costs aren’t allocated in writing; vets may pursue the loanee as the day‑to‑day carer. Avoid this by specifying responsibilities clearly before the loan starts and keeping a monthly ledger of payments.
Can a loan agreement exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence?
No. Clauses excluding liability for death or personal injury due to negligence are generally unenforceable. Any liability‑limiting clauses should be drafted by a solicitor to ensure they’re legally robust; see HRJ Foreman Laws.
Does the horse’s existing insurance transfer to the loanee?
No. The loanee must arrange their own public liability (and consider rider accident cover) and provide the insurer with the loan agreement. Owners should also notify their insurer of the loan arrangement.
How should we handle emergency veterinary decisions?
State in the agreement who can authorise treatment, any spending limits, contact protocols, and the process for urgent decisions if the owner is unreachable. Keep the vet’s details and the agreement readily accessible.
What about transport and horsebox damage during a loan?
Include a transport clause specifying who may transport the horse, required horsebox/trailer insurance, and who pays for damage in transit. Consider requiring professional transport for competitions or long journeys.
Can I loan a horse to Ireland and still rely on English law?
Yes, if your agreement specifies governing law and jurisdiction as England & Wales, but take solicitor advice for cross‑border enforceability. Ensure insurance covers travel and activities in Ireland.
