Agistment Agreements – Are you Covered?

Agistment Agreements give peace of mind to both the property owner and the horse owner. This ensures clear expectations around the care and maintenance of a horse on agistment. There are three broad types of Agistment Agreements, self-care, part-care, and full-care.

A legally binding Agistment Agreement must be in place to ensure that both parties are covered if something goes wrong, or a dispute arises.

Property Owner

As a property owner, it is important to know that horses being agisted on your property will receive the appropriate care and attention and that you know what your responsibilities are about the care of the horse. In particular, an Agistment Agreement can be drafted to minimise your risk and liability and set clear terms for payment of agistment fees.

Horse Owner

As a horse owner, a carefully drafted Agistment Agreement will ensure that your horse receives the care it needs. Clauses that relate to veterinary care, feeding routines, and general maintenance of the paddock or stable your horse occupies can be included. Additionally, it is important as a horse owner to stipulate in your agreement termination clauses, to ensure you have enough time to find an alternative agistment if your Agreement comes to an early end.

We’ve all heard the horror stories – a horse being abandoned on an agistment property, and the property owner being left with the responsibility of caring for the horse. Or the alternative, an agistment owner denying the horse owner access to their beloved pet or failing to provide adequate care to the horse. These are just a few scenarios that may play out when agisting a horse.

A professionally written Agistment Agreement can save large amounts of money and stress if something goes wrong.

Speak to one of our Equine Lawyers today about your needs in a free, no-obligation consultation on 1300 123 876.