Watch our new video guide to the law on buying or selling a horse in England and Wales.
Whether you’re buying your first horse, loaning one to a friend, or trying to resolve a disagreement about a pony with problems — knowing your legal rights (and your responsibilities) is vital. In this latest episode in our Do Yourself Justice series of legal videos, host Danny Lawrence is joined by lawyer Elizabeth Duncan of Slee Blackwell Solicitors. Elizabeth, a horse lover and an expert in equine law, discusses the complex world of horse ownership law and the pitfalls that can catch out the unwary.
This episode is full of practical advice for anyone who is buying or selling a horse. We look at a variety of legal scenarios and explore what happens when:
- You buy a horse which turns out to be dangerous, or not as described;
- A seller is a private individual, rather than a dealer — and how this affects your legal rights;
- You agree to loan or lease a horse but things go wrong down the line;
- There’s no written agreement for the sale of a horse, just texts, phone calls, and handshakes;
- Someone pulls out of a horse share, or a dispute arises over care; and
- A horse’s behaviour changes, with both parties blaming each other.•
Other hot legal topics covered in our video guide to the law on buying or selling a horse include:
- What legal rights do I have when I buy a horse?
- Can I return a horse if it’s dangerous or has been misrepresented?
- What’s the legal difference between buying from a dealer rather than a private seller?
- What proof do I need to show that a horse had pre-existing problems?
- What’s the difference between leasing and loaning a horse?
- What should a loan agreement or horse share contract include?
- When should you get a solicitor involved — and what can they actually do?
This isn’t just a niche legal topic — it’s something that affects thousands of horse lovers across the UK every year. Unlike buying a car, purchasing, selling, or loaning a horse usually involves limited legal regulation, limited documentation, and emotionally charged decisions. It’s easy to make assumptions, but far harder to untangle disputes once they happen.
Fast-forward to any of the following sections of our video guide to the law on buying or selling a horse:
00:00 Introduction to Do Yourself Justice
03:11 Buying, leasing, loaning, and sharing a horse.
04:27 A Do Yourself Justice Scenario
05:37 Can I return a horse if it isn’t as described?
06:18 What are my legal rights depending on if it’s a private or commercial horse sale?
07:14 What evidence do I need to prove that the contract has been breached?
10:16 How can a vet help in a dispute over a contract to buy a horse?
11:03 What is the difference between leasing and loaning a horse?
13:30 What should be included in a contract to lease a horse?
13:54 What should a horse loan agreement include?
15:23 What happens if a horse develops behavioural issues during a loan?
16:56 Is sharing a horse a legal agreement? What should I look out for?
18:14 What legal responsibilities do horse sellers have?
19:43 When should I get a solicitor involved in a horse dispute?
20:07 Can horse disputes be resolved in the small claims court?
21:20 Where can I find help and assistance with a horse dispute?
Who should watch our video guide to the law on buying or selling a horse
This video will be of interest to anyone who buys or sells a horse or becomes involved in an equine legal dispute. It is likely to be particularly helpful for:
- First-time horse buyers who want to avoid costly mistakes
- Anyone loaning or leasing their horse to someone else
- People entering a horse share agreement and needing legal clarity
- Those involved in a legal dispute over the ownership, care, or sale of a horse
- Anyone unsure what legal documents will be needed when buying/selling
- Riders or parents dealing with behaviour changes in a new horse
- People wondering when to involve a solicitor (and how it helps)
This episode is your essential guide to equine law, tailored to all horse lovers, whether they are buyers or sellers, who just want clear, honest answers. It’s packed with insights and practical legal guidance you simply won’t find anywhere else.
How we can help with your equine legal dispute
If you require the professional expertise of our specialist lawyers in resolving an equine dispute then contact us for a free consultation.
