Horse Law
Australian Harness Racing Leads the World in Welfare Reform
February 2017
Note that, since the publication of this article in January 2017, Harness Racing Australia has reversed its decision to bann the use of whips to urge horses to the finish line.
Are You at Risk?
November 2015
We all know that horses are unpredictable animals and, if you own or are in charge of horses, you will be held liable for their actions. If you have other peoples’ horses on your property, you could also be held responsible for them. If you provide services or hire out facilities to clients, you have a professional responsibility to carry out these duties diligently.
Breeding Your Mare? 5 Legal Issues You Need to Know
September 2015
The sharp rise in the number of horse owners breeding their own mares to advertised stallions and the development of new breeding technologies has made it easier than ever to realise the dream of breeding your own foal. However, there are a number of highly complex legal issues to consider and, sadly, disputes are increasingly common without the protection and careful consideration of a Stallion Service Agreement. Here are the five most common legal issues you should know ahead of this breeding season to ensure you, your mare and the prospect of a happy, healthy foal are protected...
Defamation in the Age of Social Media
July 2015
As a barrister who specialises in media law, I am increasingly confronted in practice with matters involving the publication of defamatory material on social media sites such as FaceBook, Twitter and Instagram. The age of the Internet and the advent of social media has made many people more aware of the laws of defamation, but many users continue to post materials which could potentially lead them into a very expensive legal battle.
Are You Liable?
May 2015
Whether you are an owner, trainer, vet, farrier or rider, as a participant in the equine industry there is no doubt that you would have heard of, or probably even personally experienced, close calls or unfortunate accidents or events. Potential sources of liability
Fitton Horse Insure
May 2015
Arranging insurance can be overwhelming for horse owners. Do I need loss of use? Can I cover my breeding stock? How do I know if my horse is fully protected? Horses and People speak with the experts at Fitton Insurance Brokers to help you decode the insurance conundrums and find out more about how you can get peace of mind… What is the most basic policy and what does it cover?
To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate
March 2015
DISCLAIMER: At the time of going to print Equestrian Australia revoked the by-law on Hendra vaccination. To read the latest on this issue, please visit: http://www.equestrian.org.au/news/hendra-law-revoked
Managing Risk Around Horses
October 2014
Safe Work Australia has released a new guide outlining risk management around horses - an important guide to those in the horse industry. Ross Donaldson from CBP Lawyers explains the new guidelines. In June this year, Safe Work Australia (SFA), a statutory agency comprising representatives of commonwealth and the state governments, unions and businesses issued the following guidelines: ‘Guide to managing risks when new and inexperienced persons interact with horses’.
Vet Check
May 2014
Are you buying a horse or considering buying a horse? If so, you have no doubt considered whether or not you should engage a veterinarian to conduct a pre-purchase examination of the horse. A pre-purchase examination is more commonly referred to as a ‘vet check’. This article will briefly examine the benefits of obtaining a vet check. What is a vet check?
Agistment Affairs: Part Two
March 2014
Following on from December's article on agistment agreements, this article will briefly examine the issues of liens and the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth) (PPSA). These are important issues and very relevant to property owners and horse owners alike, especially in the context of agistment.
