Horsing around

[DrKsomeday]

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Sorry I’ve been away. It’s been a little crazy, but I need some horse advice. Okay. I am moving from the city to the country. Yippee! Very excited about the move and a little unhinged. It’s a great move though. The catch is I am sorta inheriting two horses. Yea, let me explain. The seller of the “farm” (that is what I am lovingly calling the new pad) had a renter who had two horses on the place. The horse owner of course wants to continue this arrangement. I don’t see why I shouldn’t continue the agreement but I need some advice. I mean it’s not like I will be using the pasture and I hate to evict to even tempered horses. So my first concern is the current agreement is verbal. Welcome to the country but I will get it in writing.

The horses use to have access to 80 acres, but that will shrink to 10 acres. The place has a barn on it but prior they have had no access to that. Seems wrong in my world. According to my sister I am clueless to horses as I haven’t had one since middle school and of course that was supervised by my parents. So here I am with my closing date looming. What do I need to go over with the horse owner prior? I am also looking into a farm/ranch policy to just cover the horses just in case but I am sure there are way too many things I am forgetting.

So please horse people tell me what I need to know!
Thanks in advance.

P.S. Did I mention one of the horses is blind and the other leads it around… my poor pre-vet heart is just a mess over this horse deal😕. Oh and I have no vet records on them yet but figured I should ask for those.

 

[CurrySpice]

Go ask this same question at www.chronicleforums.com

All sorts of knowledgeable horse people frequent that site, and will be able to give you great, in depth information.

You are definitely on track in making sure that everything is in writing. Check that the horses have negative Coggins tests, are dewormed regularly, and get their proper vaccinations. You need to include in the contract the price, who is in charge of damage, liability, what to do if the horses are abandoned, notice they have to give before leaving or you kick them out, etc, etc,

 

[DrKsomeday]

Go ask this same question at www.chronicleforums.com

All sorts of knowledgeable horse people frequent that site, and will be able to give you great, in depth information.

You are definitely on track in making sure that everything is in writing. Check that the horses have negative Coggins tests, are dewormed regularly, and get their proper vaccinations. You need to include in the contract the price, who is in charge of damage, liability, what to do if the horses are abandoned, notice they have to give before leaving or you kick them out, etc, etc,

Thanks so much! I will post there.

 

[Rebeki]

I know that somewhere you should be able to find a template boarding contract that could give you a good place to start for getting a written agreement.

Also, the horses should have access to some sort of shelter. You seemed concerned that the horses did not have access to the barn. However, being in a barn is not really necessary for most horses in most areas. An acceptable shelter can be as simple as a three-sided "run-in shed" or a lean to type arrangement. Basically, the horses should have shade and some protection from the elements.

IMHO this is actually the most natural living arrangement for horses and they seem happy with it (and sound and non-neurotic). I know my horses always seemed to stay out in the rain/snow, etc. even when they had access to a perfectly lovely run-in shed. The only exception was when it got very cold - then they liked to stay together in the shed. (FYI I'm originally from Wisconsin so it got pretty cold).

 

[BrumleyVet]

Beware of verbal agreements! I too live in the country and my horses are on other's property. If the horses will be on the property that will be in your name - either by purchase or lease - you can be held responsible by law enforcement if something happens. Of course can is the key term here. But you need to protect yourself and have the owner put in writing that they are totally responsible for any and all care, feed and feeding, medical treatment and upkeep of the property they are on. Even seemly stupid things like who will be providing and maintaining clean water, as well as who is going to pay for it. It sounds like alot, but trust me, you will be so sorry if you don't have something and the unthinkable happens.

It's awesome you are allowing them to stay - the blind horse doesn't have to adjust to a strange new place!