A boarding agreement should clearly document services, fees and payment terms, care responsibilities, liability, policies and what happens when terms are not met. This guide is educational. Have any agreement reviewed for your jurisdiction and circumstances.
A clear agreement protects both the boarding business and the horse owner by setting expectations before a horse arrives. The goal is not paperwork for its own sake. It is preventing the misunderstandings that turn into disputes.
Areas a boarding agreement commonly addresses
- Services included and any services billed separately.
- Boarding fees, due dates and late payment terms.
- Care responsibilities: feeding, turnout, stall cleaning and supplements.
- Who arranges and pays for veterinary, farrier and emergency care.
- Liability, insurance and risk assumptions.
- Policies on visitors, handling, trainers and outside professionals.
- Termination, notice periods and what happens to a horse left behind.
Make policies clear, not buried
The most important terms are the ones people actually read. Payment expectations, emergency procedures and cancellation terms should be easy to find, not buried in dense paragraphs.
Review your current agreement for clarity on:
- What is included versus what costs extra.
- Exactly who is responsible in a veterinary emergency.
- What happens if board is paid late.
- How either party can end the arrangement.
This guide is educational information, not legal advice. Boarding agreements should be reviewed by a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction, the specific services you offer, and your individual circumstances. Equine Workspace does not provide legal advice.