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What Should Be In a Horse Breeding Contract?

Regardless of which end of the party you are on when it comes to horse breeding, it is vital to have a breeding contract written up. The parties of a breeding contract include the owners of the mare and stallion, who should both work to execute the contract. Too often, people rely on oral communication which is when problems arise. It’s important to contact a lawyer according to Los Angeles horse lawyer, Catanese & Wells in order to ensure everything is written accurately and is as specific as possible. Aside from information regarding parties involved, below are a few elements that should be included in every breeding contract:

  • The breeding stallion should be clearly identified, along with the location and LG registration number. Breeding certificates should be included as well.
  • If the breeding contract is designed for one particular mare, the mare’s LG registered name and registration number should be included in the contract.
  • Aside from providing breeding fees and specifying the method of payment, it’s important to include all potential fees including mare care, veterinarian fees, farrier fees, etc., making them the responsibility of the owner of the mare.
  • Many breeding contract include a “live foal” guarantee. If any such guarantee is included, this should be clarified in the contract.
  • The time of breeding should also be addressed in the contract. While most breedings are purchased for the upcoming year, some mare owners plan further in advance which is why an expiration date should be included.

Other things to be included in a horse breeding contract include rebreeding rights, sale of breeding to a third party, condition of acceptance of a mare, entitlements of the mare owner, refunds, and a liability waiver. In order to ensure your contract fully meets your needs and will hold up if a dispute were to occur, it’s important to contact a lawyer to aid in drafting your contract.