Horse agistment agreements: what to agree in writing

Ten questions to settle with the property before your horse moves in.

This isn't legal advice. Agistment law differs between states and territories. Use these questions to prepare, then have a lawyer draft or review your agreement. Agriculture Victoria also recommends getting the contract prepared by an experienced legal adviser.

1. Who are the parties, and who's the emergency contact?

Names and contact details for the horse owner and the property, plus someone who can make decisions if the owner can't be reached.

2. Which horses, and in what condition?

Name, colour and markings of each horse, any existing injuries or vices, and vaccination, worming, dental and hoof care dates. A printed health record attached to the agreement does this well.

3. What does it cost, and when is it paid?

The weekly or monthly fee, what's included (feed, rugging, hay), what's charged as an extra, when invoices are due, and whether fees can change in drought or flood.

4. What happens if fees aren't paid?

Agreements often set out notice steps before the property can recover costs. How this works depends on your state's law, so ask a lawyer.

5. What standard of care is promised?

Shelter, fencing, water supply, pasture management, stocking rate, daily checks, and any special diet.

6. Who can call the vet, farrier or dentist?

Who can authorise treatment, up to what spending limit, and who pays.

7. Can the owner visit?

When the owner can inspect the horse and the paddock.

8. What's the plan for fire, flood and drought?

Who moves the horses, where to, and when. Agree a bushfire plan before the season starts.

9. How does it end?

Notice period, final payment, and who pays to transport the horse home.

10. How are disputes handled?

A simple dispute-resolution step can save both sides a court case.

Sources and further reading

A downloadable template will only be published after a lawyer has reviewed it.