Have any of you ever had to sign a release for a barn owner or trainer to come on the property to shoe horses? I have a new trainer who took over a barn and wants everyone to sign a release. Thing is when I rode bulls we had to sign releases at some arenas but my lawyer friend said there was never a release he'd seen that couldn't be broken/beat in court. So is it even worth it?
Many states have laws making "equine professionals" not liable for injuries sustained during equine activities. Delaware Statute below - note they require a written notice to be posted conspicuously on the premises. http://www.animallaw.info/statutes/stusdest_t10_8140.htm Wondering if the release you're asked to sign would hold a barn owner harmless for an injury due to unsafe conditions causing injuries to a farrier working in the barn, i.e. electrical or structural issues not meeting building codes.
it usually goes back to the barn owners' or trainers' insurance coverage or lack there of. Some insurance agents will try to float some sort of deal with reduced premiums/reduced coverage. if everyone who sets foot on the place signs a release. Quite often, a better deal can be had from a competitive insurance company that doesn't want or need the hassles of release forms.
It was quite a while ago, but I was involved in hosting and competing in martial arts tournaments for over 20 years. We always required signed releases to compete, but we all knew that as Ben said, no release will relieve you of responsibility for negligence or imprudent acts. Maine has a law protecting equine professionals similar to the one Tom posted from Delaware. I don't believe it has ever been tested in Maine, but understand that it has elsewhere. Regards
I was asked to sign a release at a boarding barn once. The vet was not asked to sign one and when I asked the owner about that she said I didn't need to sign one either. Typically hold harmless agreements are for participants at events and boarders, other equine professionals are not asked to sign them. Remember you are a professional who is there to do a job THEY called you for. Ask them if they ask the air conditioning guy or the house painter to sign a release.
Yes it is also the same for TN and AL. All the barns here have signs up that say "According to Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia law, an equine event sponsor or equine professional is not responsible for injury or death of a participant in equine activities due to the inherent risk of equine activities".
I ve been asked, but I asked that they sign on saying that I would never be let go if I signed no matter what......when told that my request made no sense....... basically it made them realize my point. I don t know the reasoning behind it, ray
I have been asked a couple of times. One form asked for a lot of personal infomation. Like my SS#. I put down false info. 123 Any street- anytown-usa. 555-55-5555 and signed it Daffy Duck. I dont work there anymore. I decided to move on when they told me the message therapist needed me to trim feet differently.
Michael, you should have had them sign a form saying the massage therapist was not allowed on the property. In Oregon it's called "The Equine Inherent Risk Act". It makes (uncharacteristically for government) good sense.
