SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Saturday, March 20 2021 / Published in Sidelines Feature

Dogs and Horses: Who is Liable?

By Armand Leone and Jessica E. Choper

Dogs and horses go hand in hand. Where there’s a barn or horse owner, there’s often a dog tagging along. More often than not, horses, dogs, and their people can coexist peacefully and without issue.

That said, there’s the occasional problem caused by a dog that may have legal ramifications. For example, your dog may be playing in the barn and spook a horse, injuring someone. There’s also the scenario in which a loose dog interrupts a horse and rider during competition, causing the rider to go off course or requiring that the horse and rider pull up so that all parties leave the round unharmed. Even if the horse and rider walk out of the ring or off the field in one piece, the dog’s interruption may have cost the horse and rider a top placing and even prize money.

So, who’s responsible in these scenarios and what can be done upfront to ensure dogs and horses can continue to coexist harmoniously? It starts with taking the necessary precautions, whether you’re a property owner, a manager or a dog owner.

First, as a barn owner, put up signs stating your rules regarding dogs on the property. Common sense comes into play a lot here. Signage stating that dogs must be on a leash puts people on notice that dogs cannot run loose. That’s the first step as a barn owner in protecting yourself from liability in the event of an injury. The second step is to enforce those rules. If you hang up signs stating that dogs must be on a leash but then allow dogs to roam the property at will, you’re opening the door to issues. 

Let’s use the example of a dog spooking a horse and the rider falling off and sustaining an injury on your property. If there are stated rules that a dog must be on a leash, and a customer’s dog is running loose and causes injury to a rider, then the dog’s owner may be liable for the injuries. In this situation, the dog owner’s failure to leash the dog was likely the cause of the accident. The leash rule may also protect you from liability. If you don’t enforce the leash rule, however, then you may be liable along with the dog owner, in part for failing to implement your own rule and protect horses and riders on the property. 

The barn owner also needs to abide by the rules; if other dogs are required to be on a leash, and the owner’s dog is off leash causing an injury to horse or rider, then the owner may be liable directly. Plaintiffs will go after the party who can pay, whether it’s the dog owner, you as the facility owner or both.

There have also been situations where a dog enters a competition arena causing disruption of the horse’s performance. If there’s an injury to horse or rider that results from the loose dog in the ring, then the dog owner and the show management and/or venue could be held liable. On the other hand, if the horse and rider aren’t injured but the horse’s performance is disrupted, it’s not likely that the exhibitor can take any legal action that would lend them a more favorable outcome. In this instance, the judges will have to make a field-of-play call as to how to address the situation. In many cases, the dog owner will be subject to a significant monetary fine from the show management, as most competitions have rules about dogs off leash and fines for this violation.

There are risks with all horse-related activities. When it comes to dogs and horses, as a rider, you have to accept that there are things beyond your control that may lead to seemingly unfair outcomes, such as a loose dog interrupting your competition performance. As a property owner, it’s wise to have and enforce a leash rule and to carry insurance that will cover alleged negligence. Whether you’re at your home barn or at a show, understanding the leash rules can go a long way in protecting the usually harmonious relationship between horses, dogs and people.

Photo:

A loose dog can interrupt a horse and rider during competition.

Photo by Jump Media

 

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: Equine Law, horses and dogs

What you can read next

Southern Reins: Changing Lives One Ride at a Time
Lyndsy Calato & Heureux XII: Fashion That Feels Good in More Ways Than One
Colleen Brombach: “It’s All About Family”

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Sho The WPCSA American National Welsh Pony and Cob Show is happening now! Don’t miss another second by streaming it live! 🐴 📹👀HOW TO VIEW THE LIVE STREAM The WPCSA will again be streaming footage live from the ring at the American National Show next week. You will need two free passes to get to the feed this year. 1️⃣�The first is a USEF fan membership which you can get through this site: Join or Renew | US Equestrian (usef.org) 2️⃣ Once you become a fan member, you will need to log in to the USEF Network on ClipMyHorse. A video demonstrating how to do this can be found here: Existing USEF Fan - Watch the USEF Network - YouTube 📸Pictured- Grand Champion Section B under UK judge. Owner-Barbara Chappell Handler-Paul Maye /Maye Show Ponies Fairfield, VA
A note from our editor. It's here!! The October is A note from our editor. It's here!! The October issue of Sidelines Magazine! So happy to have the fabulous Amelia Newcomb on our cover. Amelia is a dressage rider with over 100,000 students! You read that right! Amelia has a very popular YouTube Channel where riders from around the word can learn and improve on their dressage - and it's not just dressage riders who are benefitting from Amelia Newcombe Dressage on Your Tube but riders of all disciplines - don't miss her story! Thanks to Sidelines photographer Lindsey Long for the beautiful photos. This issue has so many great stories! Catch up with eventer Zachary Brandt Equestrian (make sure to see how much he loves his dogs), and meet show jumper Katherine Anne Brewer and her horse Super Bunny, artist Samantha Dawn, equestrian Megan Smith who teaches Pilates 4 Equestrians; and Ela Ladwig a dressage rider and trainer who's multi talented because she's also a talented artist also. We have an amazing story on hunter-jumper rider Lisa Mooney who has a story you don't want to miss!! We also have a story on Tyler Held who's passion for eventing has taken her on quite the journey, and we catch up with Jimmy Toon in our Unbridled column. This issue also features our Save The Date section where you can check out show dates for this year and next from horse shows around the country! So get out your calendar!! And don't miss our great columnists, hunter-jumper with Rob R.L. Jacobs, eventing with Liz Halliday Eventing and sports psychology with Margie Sugarman. And check out the photos of riders at the 2023 The Hampton Classic Horse Show also! It's another great issue! Make sure to subscribe to Sidelines also - one year for $14.95 and the magazine is delivered right to your house or barn!! Enjoy the October issue: https://sidelinesmagazine.com/app/#/reader/50029/1767167 Link in Bio!!!
Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capita Are YOU ready for it? The wait is over! The Capital Challenge Horse Show has officially begun! Not able to attend the 2023 Capital Challenge Horse Show? 🏆 No problem! Watch all 11 days of competition for free with the live stream, sponsored by C. Jarvis Insurance Agency Inc., on capitalchallenge.org or usefnetwork.com. 🎥
Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Bl Balancing riding and academics can be tough, so Blue Ribbon Scholars is here to help! Whether you need help with a single subject, SAT prep, or transitioning to online school, Blue Ribbon will tailor a unique program to the needs of every student athlete, grades K-12. The exclusive education services provider at HITS Ocala since 2019, Blue Ribbon offers in-person tutoring services throughout the duration of the winter circuit, in addition to our virtual services via Zoom year round, anywhere, anytime! Are you showing at WEC this winter, but looking for affordable, fun, and individualized in-person support? Have no fear! In-person tutoring is available anywhere in the Ocala area, and everyone is welcome to attend our programs at HITS. Our tutors are kind, qualified, and understand the needs of competitive student-athlete equestrians. The founder of Blue Ribbon Scholars is an amateur jumper rider who holds a BA from Yale University and Master’s in Education from Vanderbilt. You will be in good hands! Message, email, or call us today to learn more about how we help you accomplish your goals. blueribbonscholars, hitshorseshows #sidelinesmagazine #sidelines2023 #forhorsepeople #abouthorsepeople #dressage #hunterjumper #eventing #magazine #horses #wellington #wef #florida #college #school #blueribbonscholars #hitshorseshows #hunterjumper #showjumping #hunterjumpersofinstagram #tutoringforathletes #tutoringservices #backtoschool #equestrian #equestrianlife #equestrianlifestyle #horseshowlife #studyhardplayhard #homeschooling #ocala
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • EQUINE HOMES REAL ESTATE LLC
    Equestrian and Country Properties Linda Fish-Brown 603-496-5437 LFB@equinehomes.com www.equinehomes.com

    [Read more]

  • Hanoverian Stallion - Louisville HTF
    Louisville HTF (Lord Leatherdale-Negro-Fruhling) 2017 Hanoverian Stallion 16.2 Hands Owner/Breeder: Hilltop Farm, Inc. Approved Registries: Licensed AHS, ARS, & ISR/Oldenburg Breeding Fee: $1,300 1-Year or $675/dose, cooled or frozen semen EVA Status: Negative, vaccinated annually WFFS Status: N/N Negative Video link: About: The Lord Leatherdale-Negro cross has proven an exceptional nick and we are proud to offer Louisville as the next representative of this successful combination.

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • Woodside Recognizes the Best in the West
  • Get More for Your Money with an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage
  • Longines Global Champions Tour of New York Returns to Governors Island

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Conor Swail Was the Best Bet in $15,000 CSI2* Markel Insurance Welcome at San Juan Capistrano International
  • Lillie Keenan Leads in CHF68,000 South Coast Plaza Welcome Speed at San Juan Capistrano International CSIO5*
  • McLain Ward Wins CSIO5* Longines Grand Prix at San Juan Capistrano International

Category

Recent Posts

  • October 2023 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Zayna Rizvi: Horses from Family to Finals

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • Samantha Wolfram: Finding Success in America and Overseas

    By Juliana Chapman Portraits by Kirsten Hannah ...
  • Cedar Potts-Warner: At Liberty and Beyond

    Story and Portraits by Jennifer DeMaro   P...
  • Jordan Melfi: Turning a Secret Horse Life Into a Career

    By Veronica Green-Gott Portraits by Shelly Cart...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!