Welcoming trainers to your horse facility for lessons or training can be a valuable addition, but it’s crucial to implement protective measures to safeguard your property and reputation. As horse property owners frequently inquire about the best practices for hosting trainers, this guide outlines the key considerations for managing such arrangements effectively.
Insurance: A Non-Negotiable Requirement
Every trainer operating a business, regardless of its size, must carry liability insurance. This insurance should specifically name your facility and its owners as additional insureds. While many believe adding insureds to a policy is costly, it’s often not the case. Due to the typically low-margin nature of the horse training business, insurance can be a significant expense, sometimes leading trainers to claim they have coverage when they do not. Therefore, it is essential to demand proof of coverage from any trainer wishing to use your facility. This documentation should clearly state the coverage amount, the current period of coverage, and confirm that you are listed as an additional insured. For our trainer clients, we recommend a minimum coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million in the aggregate. Thoroughly vetting a trainer’s insurance is a critical step in protecting your interests.
Liability Releases: Your First Line of Defense
It is imperative that every individual who enters your premises signs your liability release form. Relying on a trainer’s own liability release is often insufficient, as these documents typically fail to provide any meaningful protection to the facility and its owners. Most trainer releases do not explicitly name the facility and its owners among the parties being released from liability. Even if they do, the release might be poorly drafted and legally unenforceable. Furthermore, a trainer may not consistently obtain signed releases from all clients or may be unable to produce them when needed. The only reliable method to ensure adequate protection through a liability release is to implement and maintain your own forms and records diligently.
Written Agreements: Defining the Relationship
For trainers who intend to use your facilities on a regular basis, a comprehensive written agreement is highly recommended. This should be separate from any standard boarding agreement and should meticulously detail the terms of your business relationship. Key points to address include:
- Arena Priority: Will the trainer receive priority for arena usage over other boarders?
- Multiple Trainers: How will scheduling conflicts be resolved if multiple trainers wish to use the facilities concurrently?
- Compensation: Will the trainer be required to compensate you for the use of your facilities, and if so, how will this compensation be calculated?
- Termination: Under what conditions can the agreement be terminated, and what notice period is required?
Equine Legal Solutions provides resources such as equine facility lease agreement forms and equine facility use agreement forms to assist in establishing these clear terms.
Facility Impact and Boarder Experience
Trainers often utilize facilities more frequently and for extended durations than typical boarders. It’s important to assess whether your facility can comfortably accommodate this increased usage without negatively impacting your existing boarders. Establishing a written, posted policy that clearly outlines how competing uses of the facilities will be managed is essential. For instance, a policy should address scenarios where a trainer is conducting a lesson in the arena while another rider wishes to use it.
Business Conduct and Your Facility’s Reputation
The trainer operating from your facility directly influences your business’s reputation. It is vital to understand how they conduct their business. A trainer whose practices are inconsiderate or unethical can quickly drive away your boarders. The overall reputation of a horse facility is intrinsically linked to the reputations of the trainers associated with it. Additionally, if a trainer employs unsafe training methods, this could expose you to significant liability risks. Ensuring trainers align with your facility’s standards and ethical practices is paramount for maintaining a positive and safe environment.
