Horse Boarding Contract Template

Horse Boarding Contract 

This Horse Boarding Contract (“Agreement”) is made and entered into on Date: , by and between the undersigned Stable Owner and Horse Owner (each, a “Party,” and together, the “Parties”). Specific blanks (party details, horse information, dates, fees, contacts, and service selections) are completed on the attached fill-in pages, which are incorporated into this Agreement.

Stable Owner details (name, number):  Horse Owner details (name, number):  agree that the following horse(s) are to be boarded:

Horse 1 — details (name, breed, age/sex/color, ID, coggins date):





1. Proof of Ownership and Coggins Test

Before any horse is boarded, Horse Owner shall provide proof of ownership and a negative Coggins test dated within the past twelve (12) months for each boarded horse. Failure to provide these items authorizes Stable Owner to refuse intake or suspend services until received.

Horse Owner affirms each listed horse has a current negative Coggins test (within 12 months). Initials: 

Date: 

3. Scope of Care and Services

Services and payments included are (boarding type, feeding, turnout/exercise, stall cleaning/bedding; responsibility for routine vet/farrier, any training; other services, etc., invoicing and due date; late-fee terms): 



.

Stable Owner will provide boarding and related services in a workmanlike manner consistent with industry standards. The Parties will specify the boarding type, feeding program, turnout/exercise, cleaning and bedding, routine medical responsibilities, and any additional services (such as grooming, blanketing, rehab, hand-walking, and medication administration). Stable Owner will dispose of manure and waste generated by boarded horses. Horse Owner remains responsible for routine veterinary and farrier care unless otherwise agreed in writing.

2. Boarding Term

The boarding term begins on the agreed start date and ends on the agreed end date, unless earlier terminated under this Agreement. Any request to extend the term must be delivered in writing within the agreed notice period. Boarding continues until the end date unless renewed by written agreement or terminated under Section 12.

• Boarding type is .
• Feeding plan (who provides, what, and when): 
• Turnout/exercise schedule (location and hours): .
• Stall cleaning and bedding routine: .
• Routine veterinary and farrier care arranged and paid by .
• Training arrangements and fee (if any): .

Additional services requested (e.g., grooming, blanketing, meds, rehab) and any extra fees: 



4. Emergency Medical Care

In an emergency, Stable Owner will use commercially reasonable efforts to contact Horse Owner. If Horse Owner is unreachable, Stable Owner is authorized to secure veterinary treatment up to a monetary cap designated by Horse Owner in writing, with all costs borne by Horse Owner. Stable Owner does not provide veterinary services and makes no medical determinations beyond summoning professional care.

Emergency care will be coordinated with Primary Veterinarian Name  of  Clinic (phone , address ).

If the Owner cannot be reached, the Stable may authorize treatment up to $  per incident, and the Owner remains responsible for all emergency medical costs.

Emergency contacts: Primary — Name  (relationship ), phone ; Secondary — Name (relationship ), phone 

Owner initials authorizing emergency care:  Date: 

5. Fees; Invoicing; Payment

Monthly boarding fees, any additional service fees, due dates, accepted payment methods, and late charges will be stated in writing. If payment is not received within the agreed grace period, Stable Owner may suspend services or terminate under Section 12.

6. Default and Lien Rights

Failure to timely pay or to comply with this Agreement constitutes default. Stable Owner may exercise stable/livery lien rights under applicable state law, including retaining possession of boarded horse(s) until all amounts due (including board, care, late charges, reasonable collection costs, and attorneys’ fees to the extent permitted by law) are paid in full.

7. Risk of Loss; Hold Harmless

Horse Owner assumes the risk of loss, injury, illness, or death of the horse(s) while boarded, except to the extent caused by Stable Owner’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. Horse Owner releases and agrees to hold harmless Stable Owner, its owners, employees, and agents from claims arising from the inherent risks of equine activities and ordinary boarding risks. If applicable, the Parties acknowledge any Equine Activity Liability Act or similar statute for the governing jurisdiction and agree to post/attach any required statutory notice.

8. Insurance

Horse Owner shall maintain insurance on the horse(s) (e.g., mortality and liability) at levels reasonably commensurate with the horse’s value and risks, and shall provide proof of insurance upon request.

9. Stable Rules

Horse Owner agrees to comply with Stable rules and regulations (attached or incorporated by reference), as reasonably updated by Stable Owner via written notice. Failure to comply may constitute breach.

10. Licenses, Permits, and Compliance

Each Party will comply with all applicable laws, permits, and regulations. Stable Owner represents that it maintains the permits necessary to operate the boarding facility.

11. Amendments; Change Orders

This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument signed by both Parties. Any change in services or pricing must be documented via written change order. Email/e-signature acceptance may be used if the Parties so indicate in writing.

12. Termination

Either Party may terminate for convenience upon written notice within the agreed notice period. Either Party may terminate immediately for material breach not cured within the agreed cure period after written notice describing the breach. Upon termination, Horse Owner shall remove horse(s) by the termination date and pay all sums then due. Board and care charges continue to accrue until horse(s) are removed.

13. Dispute Resolution; Governing Law

The Parties will first attempt good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, they shall proceed to mediation, and if still unresolved, to binding arbitration administered by the designated organization at the designated location. The laws of the designated jurisdiction govern this Agreement. The prevailing Party in any arbitration or permitted court action may recover reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the extent permitted by law and if the Parties so agree in writing.

14. Independent-Contractor Status

Stable Owner is an independent contractor. Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, fiduciary, or employment relationship between the Parties.

15. Confidentiality / Non-Disclosure

To the extent either Party receives non-public information from the other (including pricing, medical details provided for care coordination, or customer information), such information shall be used solely to perform this Agreement and protected using reasonable measures. Disclosures required by law are permitted with prompt notice where lawful. Confidentiality survives termination for the duration the Parties specify in writing.

16. Assignment

Neither Party may assign this Agreement without the other Party’s prior written consent, except Stable Owner may subcontract limited tasks while remaining responsible for performance.

17. Indemnification

Each Party shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other Party and its owners, employees, and agents from third-party claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and reasonable attorneys’ fees arising out of the indemnifying Party’s negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of this Agreement.

18. Severability

If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force, and the invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to be enforceable while preserving its intent.

19. Entire Agreement; Counterparts

This Agreement (including attached fill-in pages and any written change orders) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications. It may be executed in counterparts and by electronic signature; all counterparts together constitute one instrument.