I have two such signs on my property. Better safe than sorry.
Thanks for all of the input. I think contact with an attorney and with my insurance company is in order.
I will go ahead and post the electric fence and no trespassing signs, as I think that would be fairly safe.
According to the statute:
I “Equine professional” means a person engaged for compensation:
(I) In instructing a participant or renting to a participant an equine for the purpose of riding, driving, or being a passenger upon the equine; or
(II) In renting equipment or tack to a participant.[/I]
I’d post them and also look for one other I saw once. It basically states that “this is not a spectator area, you are in a participant area and thusly cannot blah blah” meaning that anyone close enough to read it is now close enough to be injured.
I’ll see if I can find it…
[QUOTE=Calamber;8198177]
(New York, Virginia and North Carolina equine liability laws are totally different)[/QUOTE]
New York does not have an equine limited liability law. But then, you did not put limited in there so maybe you are talking about our actual liability laws where the poor horse owner is responsible for anything and everything.
[QUOTE=TheJenners;8198241]
I’d post them and also look for one other I saw once. It basically states that “this is not a spectator area, you are in a participant area and thusly cannot blah blah” meaning that anyone close enough to read it is now close enough to be injured.
I’ll see if I can find it…[/QUOTE]
Is this it?
VERY similar!!! :yes:
[QUOTE=trubandloki;8198284]
New York does not have an equine limited liability law. But then, you did not put limited in there so maybe you are talking about our actual liability laws where the poor horse owner is responsible for anything and everything.[/QUOTE]
Yes, that is what I meant. Sorry about New York, that is nuts and puts people who run boarding farms in a real straitjacket.
I’m not sure as there is also reference in the statues to equine sponsor which can include an individual (see below). You might want to post a modified sign (without the words equine professional on it - replace professional w/sponsor?
WARNING
Under Colorado Law, an equine sponsor is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in equine activities resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to section 13-21-119, Colorado Revised Statutes.
(d) “Equine activity sponsor” means an individual, group, club, partnership, or corporation, whether or not the sponsor is operating for profit or nonprofit, which sponsors, organizes, or provides the facilities for, an equine activity, including but not limited to: Pony clubs, 4-H clubs, hunt clubs, riding clubs, school and college- sponsored classes, programs and activities, therapeutic riding programs, and operators, instructors, and promoters of equine facilities, including but not limited to stables, clubhouses, pony ride strings, fairs, and arenas at which the activity is held.
I don’t think you have to but you may want to…(sorry for the 2nd message- iPad kicked me off)
Thanks Bells, I saw that, but now I’m a bit worried about changing the language, given previous advice.
I do like bestwtbever’s link, which seems pretty generic.
Absolutely. I also have the supplemental sign endorsed by the NC Horse Council (not required as is the other one, but all the language there is is clearly posted!). No one comes to my farm except for friends & neighbours (both of whom have horse farms as well, one professional, one private), but it doesn’t matter.
I have several friends who have been sued heavily over incidents one could never foresee (a visitor’s child sneaks under fence & gets knocked down, although not injured, by a horse, parents went for $$$$$). While nothing is “bulletproof,” I’m not going to leave any gaps open that are so easily filled.
ETA – signs for all states can be purchased at statelinetack.com (at least that is where I got mine, both required & the supplemental)
Ahhah found this. Might be perfect 
https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/11666118_10207297819945364_5894600037423333033_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=9b61e5364bdc4d1376df919ab2a7a27c&oe=56117943
[QUOTE=DHCarrotfeeder;8197696]
It says “equine professional” so I’d say no, that’s not the sign for you.
My laymans understanding is that there are no firewalls against liability. They are layers of protection that reduce your exposure but don’t eliminate it. The more well-designed layers you put in place, the better you stand when an event occurs. Not only do the signs, etc help people be more careful, they deter lawsuits, and they help defend against a lawsuit.
So people-barriers and No Trespassing signs should help. Electric fences are for animals and although they might deter wanderers, aren’t technically for people at all and probably wouldn’t help. Signed waivers help quite a bit. A sign posting helps. Documentation or evidence that you took steps to protect others from the hazards on your property help.
Now in your state and county your laws may provide more black/white protection, and they definitely vary, but without a lawyer to review your laws, I think the above is a reasonable starting assumption.
Here in PA there is a standardized equine warning sign that has helped reduce stupid lawsuit traffic quite a bit. We have one on our barn door but probably should add another further up the driveway.
Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]
Yes, you should put up that second sign to be covered under the PA law.
http://pennsylvaniaequinecouncil.org/signs.php
In order to be covered under the Equine Activity Immunity Act law, your facility must have two signs, each measuring 2’ x 3’ with the specific language “You assume the risk of equine activities pursuant to Pennsylvania Law.” The law also requires that these two signs be “conspicuously posted.”
the signs are cheaper than a lawsuit from someone who comes onto the property. If you buy/sell a horse and someone comes to ride the horse or even just look at the horse at your place and gets injured you are technically liable if you don’t have the signs.
better to be safe than sorry
[QUOTE=twelvegates;8199803]
Thanks Bells, I saw that, but now I’m a bit worried about changing the language, given previous advice.
I do like bestwtbever’s link, which seems pretty generic.[/QUOTE]
You need to check on your state’s law. Most states seem to require not only certain language, but certain size and height of the letters on the sign.
