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Loans & Sharing· 7 min read

Horse Loan Agreement Checklist: 15 Clauses You Shouldn't Miss

A UK-focused checklist of the 15 clauses every horse loan agreement should include — tick off, protect yourself and the horse.

Why the paperwork matters

Most loan disputes come down to two things: money and expectations. A written agreement — even a short one — forces both sides to talk through the awkward stuff before the horse moves.

The 15-clause checklist

  1. Parties. Full names, addresses and contact numbers for owner and loaner.
  2. The horse. Name, breed, colour, height, age, passport number, microchip.
  3. Location. The yard the horse will be kept at, and any restriction on moving yards.
  4. Start date and notice period. One month is standard.
  5. Costs. Exactly who pays for livery, feed, bedding, farrier, dentist, worming, vaccinations, physio, insurance.
  6. Insurance. Who insures the horse, for what sum, against what risks. Both parties named.
  7. Routine vet care. Who authorises and pays for routine treatment up to a set figure.
  8. Major vet care. Who authorises and pays for anything above that threshold.
  9. Discipline restrictions. Any specifically excluded activities.
  10. Competition. Who's named on entries, whose colours the horse runs in, prize money.
  11. Right to inspect. The owner's right to visit and, if concerned, take the horse back.
  12. Death or unfitness. What happens if the horse dies or becomes permanently unrideable.
  13. Return condition. Expected weight score, shod/unshod, vaccinations up to date.
  14. Dispute resolution. Which country's law applies and how disputes are handled.
  15. Signatures and date. Signed by both parties, dated, ideally witnessed.

Free templates

The British Horse Society publishes a free loan agreement template covering most of these clauses. It's not perfect — every arrangement is different — but it's a sensible baseline.

When to get a solicitor involved

For most loans between private owners, a signed BHS-style template is enough. Consider a solicitor if:

  • The horse is valued above £15,000
  • It's a breeding or stud arrangement
  • It's a schooling or competition loan with prize money involved
  • Either party is a business, not a private owner

After the agreement

Take dated photos of the horse at handover — condition, feet, any existing marks — and keep them with the agreement. If anything goes wrong later, you'll be very glad you did.