Thinking of selling your horse? Whether you’ve had a change of circumstance or it’s just not working, solicitor Rebecca Stojak advises what to do.

Throughout life we all have major changes such as change of job, house move or started a family and you might have had to consider selling your horse.

When drafting your advert or speaking to potential buyers it’s important that you describe your horse truthfully.

The seller can be legally accountable if they sell a horse knowing that the advert is not accurate and the buyer relies upon their misrepresentation.

They can’t tell half-truths, such as ‘my horse is good to catch’, when in fact he only catches once you’ve brought the entire yard of twenty horses in and his tea is waiting in his stable.

Sale contract key terms to include:

  • Agreement/contract date
  • Names and addresses of the seller and buyer
  • Details of the horse including name, passport number, freezemark number, microchip number, height, age, sex, colour
  • Confirmation from the seller of ownership and that all details provided are correct
  • Confirmation of additional items included in the sale e.g. saddle, rugs
  • Details of deposit, date for final payment and consequences if late and whether it’s to be paid by cash, cheque or bankers draft
  • Vetting date and whether the horse is to be stabled for 24 hrs before vetting
  • If to be delivered state when and how e.g. trailer/lorry
  • Confirmation that the horse is free from certain vices or list the behavioural issues the horse displays

Buying tip

Ask the horse’s owner lots of questions about him and don’t worry if you think you’re interrogating them.

It could work in their favor, as when you know the honest facts, there’s no come back on them should you find he bucks, just like they say he does!