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 rights (and your responsibilities) is vital. In this episode of Do Yourself Justice, host Danny Lawrence is joined by award-winning lawyer Elizabeth Duncan of Slee Blackwell Solicitors, a horse lover and legal expert in equine law to discuss the surprisingly complex world of horse ownership law.
From disputes over a horse’s temperament to arguments over care standards and unwritten loan agreements, this episode is full of practical advice for owners, buyers, sellers, and sharers.
We explore what happens when:
You buy a horse and it turns out to be dangerous or not as described
A seller is a private individual, not a business — and what rights you lose
You agree to loan or lease a horse but things go wrong down the line
There’s no written agreement, just texts and handshakes
Someone pulls out of a horse share, or a dispute arises over care
A horse’s behaviour changes, and both parties blame each other
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 or loaning a horse usually involves limited regulation, variable documentation, and emotionally charged decisions. It’s easy to make assumptions, but far harder to untangle disputes once they happen.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Do Yourself Justice
03:11 What are the different ways of buying a horse? Leasing, loaning and sharing.
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 show the contract to buy the horse 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 ahorse?
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 should new 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?
20:07Resolving horse disputes in the small claims court?
21:20Where can I find help and assistance with a horse dispute?
🎯 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE INCLUDE:
What legal rights do I have when I buy a horse?
Can I return a horse if it’s dangerous or misrepresented?
What’s the legal difference between buying from a dealer vs a private seller?
What proof do I need to show that the horse’s problems were pre-existing?
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?
USEFUL RESOURCES FOR HORSE OWNERS AND RIDERS:
🟠 Slee Blackwell Solicitors https://www.sleeblackwell.co.uk
🟡 British Horse Society (BHS)
Guidance on buying, loaning, and caring for horses in the UK: https://www.bhs.org.uk
🔵 Money Claims Online (UK Government Court Claim Service) Make or defend a legal claim (including horse sales and loan agreements): https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money
👂 WHO SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE?
🐎 First-time horse buyers who want to avoid costly mistakes
📝 Anyone loaning or leasing their horse to someone else
🤝 People entering horse share agreements and needing clarity
⚖️ Those involved in a dispute over ownership, care, or sale
🧾 Anyone unsure what legal documents they need 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)