State Equestrian Liability Limitation Laws
Landowner liability – and the understanding of it – can be a critical factor in horse access to property. Liability is determined on a state-by-state basis, and in most states is governed by two sets of laws: Activity Statutes and Recreational Use Statutes.
This area consists of the full text of equine activity statutes of those states that have enacted them.
Equine activity statutes are enacted to protect horsemen, camps, stables, and other horse providers from frivolous lawsuits arising out of horse accidents that could not have been avoided.
The statutes provide that a person may not bring a lawsuit if the accident resulted from an inherent risk of equine activities. They also spell out what risks – such as providing defective tack or failing appropriately to match horse with rider – are not inherent and therefore fair game for a lawsuit.
In many of the states that have enacted these statutes, the equine provider must post notices or include notices in contracts, or both, to bring their operations under the statute’s protection. These notices must contain exactly the words required by that state’s statute.
This area is organized alphabetically by state and consists of the full text of the statute, including any posting or notice requirements that may be in effect in that state.
Equine Liability Statues by State
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