- May 11, 2010
- 35,816
- 40,057
- 1,207
Also don't forget the liability of having a horse on your property that you don't own. Be very familiar with the equine/livestock laws in your state. See what you need contract wise to protect you, your property and your rights.
For example: I bring a horse to your place for training. Somehow the horse breaks his leg and must be put down. In this case how does your contract protect you? Are you liable for the replacement price of the horse? How will this amount be determined? Can I sue you for the possible future earnings?
Or say my horse escapes and gets hit by a car and is killed. Not only do you have to contend with a dead horse (and me, the owner) you will have to deal with the liability of the people involved in an accident. And you better hope nobody died in said accident as you may be liable for manslaughter in some states.
Another scenario you might have is my horse kicks you in the head and paralyses you for life. What does your contract state in a case like this? Can you sue me? Who is responsible for your medical bills?
What happens if my horse kicks somebody else in the head and severely injures that person?
This brings up another question. What kind of insurance do you have? This is what breaks most equine facilities. The cost of proper insurance puts them out of business. And those who chose to operate without insurance either have purty darn good contracts (don't forget the lawyer's fee to create those contracts) or risk losing everything if an accident should occur.
Years ago I spoke with John Lyons about the risks of being a horse trainer and what he found most difficult during his career. He had come to a clinic I was working at and was needing medicine for his App. stallion. At first, one of his assistants came into our tiny overworked clinic. The receptionist didn't have a clue what the person wanted. The assistant got mighty huffy right quick so all ears were on the pair conversing at the window. When I learned what was needed I realized I had what was needed out in my truck which I had just happened to drive to work that day. I volunteered to share what I had and would go to my truck to get it.
Imagine my surprise when John Lyons followed me to my truck. Now my old dually looked like it had gone through hell and back. Flaking paint, cracked windshield, massive dent to right front fender where a bull had attacked it. Dear God, I was so embarrassed this world famous trainer had to see this apparition parked out back. But dang if he didn't break out into a grin and gave the truck a gentle pat.
"I bet this truck has some stories," he declared in a friendly tone and his grin widened as he noted the huge dent. "Bull?"
"Yep," I said. Lord, I was nervous meeting someone like him. But dang if he wasn't friendly. He accepted the medicine and continued to chat in his soft voice and pretty soon I was calm enough to chat back. What I remember the most is his friendly attitude and the advice he gave me: The hardest part about training horses are the people who own them.
And this is the lesson I've learned when dealing with all kinds of animals: Never forget the person behind the pet/horse/cow/emu/chicken. No matter what you do you must have good people skills. The most successful veterinarians I've seen didn't really have good vet skills but they knew how to relate to people.
Since you are having a difficult time finding on-hand experience go to the written word. Get books, go online and start reading. Use your computer/phone to contact people who have breeding barns to ask knowledgeable questions Learn everything you can. Once you gain some knowledge maybe you can approach a place that will need your particular skill-I cleaned many, many stalls at an equine rescue. I hand-walked many a sick horse that needed a gentle hand.
Well, I've said enough for now. Got horses to feed, chickens to tend to. Hope this helps you on your way.
For example: I bring a horse to your place for training. Somehow the horse breaks his leg and must be put down. In this case how does your contract protect you? Are you liable for the replacement price of the horse? How will this amount be determined? Can I sue you for the possible future earnings?
Or say my horse escapes and gets hit by a car and is killed. Not only do you have to contend with a dead horse (and me, the owner) you will have to deal with the liability of the people involved in an accident. And you better hope nobody died in said accident as you may be liable for manslaughter in some states.
Another scenario you might have is my horse kicks you in the head and paralyses you for life. What does your contract state in a case like this? Can you sue me? Who is responsible for your medical bills?
What happens if my horse kicks somebody else in the head and severely injures that person?
This brings up another question. What kind of insurance do you have? This is what breaks most equine facilities. The cost of proper insurance puts them out of business. And those who chose to operate without insurance either have purty darn good contracts (don't forget the lawyer's fee to create those contracts) or risk losing everything if an accident should occur.
Years ago I spoke with John Lyons about the risks of being a horse trainer and what he found most difficult during his career. He had come to a clinic I was working at and was needing medicine for his App. stallion. At first, one of his assistants came into our tiny overworked clinic. The receptionist didn't have a clue what the person wanted. The assistant got mighty huffy right quick so all ears were on the pair conversing at the window. When I learned what was needed I realized I had what was needed out in my truck which I had just happened to drive to work that day. I volunteered to share what I had and would go to my truck to get it.
Imagine my surprise when John Lyons followed me to my truck. Now my old dually looked like it had gone through hell and back. Flaking paint, cracked windshield, massive dent to right front fender where a bull had attacked it. Dear God, I was so embarrassed this world famous trainer had to see this apparition parked out back. But dang if he didn't break out into a grin and gave the truck a gentle pat.
"I bet this truck has some stories," he declared in a friendly tone and his grin widened as he noted the huge dent. "Bull?"
"Yep," I said. Lord, I was nervous meeting someone like him. But dang if he wasn't friendly. He accepted the medicine and continued to chat in his soft voice and pretty soon I was calm enough to chat back. What I remember the most is his friendly attitude and the advice he gave me: The hardest part about training horses are the people who own them.
And this is the lesson I've learned when dealing with all kinds of animals: Never forget the person behind the pet/horse/cow/emu/chicken. No matter what you do you must have good people skills. The most successful veterinarians I've seen didn't really have good vet skills but they knew how to relate to people.
Since you are having a difficult time finding on-hand experience go to the written word. Get books, go online and start reading. Use your computer/phone to contact people who have breeding barns to ask knowledgeable questions Learn everything you can. Once you gain some knowledge maybe you can approach a place that will need your particular skill-I cleaned many, many stalls at an equine rescue. I hand-walked many a sick horse that needed a gentle hand.
Well, I've said enough for now. Got horses to feed, chickens to tend to. Hope this helps you on your way.
