Is There a Lemon Law For Horses?

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you invested in a horse only to find out you’re not getting your money’s worth?

As a firm that specializes in equine law, we see this issue arise fairly frequently, but whether or not anything can be done about it depends on the circumstances. Here are a few of the requirements for a viable case…

Buyer Must Be Able to Prove There is Something Wrong With the Horse

A buyer can’t claim that a horse is lame all on his own

A horse expert must rate the horse on a lame scale that ranges from 1 to 5

Once the horse is examined, a report is to be completed and submitted to the court

Buyer Must Prove Condition Existed Prior to Purchase.

According to equine law, the buyer must prove that the horse’s condition existed before the transaction took place

The court may require prior veterinarian documents and/or records for proof

Buyer Must Prove That the Seller Did Not Disclose Issues

It’s the seller’s responsibility to disclose any preexisting issues the horse may have

If medical records are given to the buyer, it’s the buyer’s responsibility to review them

If medical records are given to the buyer

it’s the buyer’s responsibility to review themThese documents should always be

reviewed prior to the purchase

Buyer Must Be Familiar With the ContractSometimes a contract may include a return policy or the seller may include information about preexisting conditions

Be sure to review the contract with your equine lawyer so you can get professional advice before making any major decisions

After reviewing these points, you can decide whether or not to pursue a case against the seller

If you think you have a case against a seller, contact an equine lawyer at Catanese & Wells today