Your horse’s various therapists might be a bit on edge these days. That’s because the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) is proposing to overhaul the Veterinarians Act and the new language would limit their ability to operate. Background In Ontario, the Veterinarians Act is the legislative framework that governs the licensing of veterinarians in the province, their facilities and how they practice, and also establishes the governance framework for the regulator, the CVO. The practice of veterinary medicine has evolved significantly in the past few decades. As some parts of the Act are o ..read more

Many people would not dream of buying a horse without the assistance of a “horse professional” — this person may be an experienced instructor or trainer, but can be anyone we trust to act for us and advise us regarding our horses. Using their contacts, the horse professional can often locate a good horse and determine whether that horse is a good fit for the prospective buyer. Many people also hire a horse professional to help them sell their horse. But once you’ve hired a horse professional, how accountable is that person to you? What Is an Agent? An agent is someone employed by a person to n ..read more

In your quest to find a used horse trailer, you come upon the perfect one. It ticks all the boxes and is exactly what you’ve been looking for. You make sure to lift the mats and inspect the floorboards, ensure all the running lights are in working order, and that the brakes and tires are good. The seller provides you with a bill of sale and signs the back of the registration. You hand over the money and proudly take your newly-purchased trailer home. You obtain insurance and have the registration changed, put on your new license plate, and start heading on the road for show season. Four months ..read more

We expect a lot of ourselves, our horses, and the people who care for them. But when expectations differ between a trainer and a horse owner or rider, misunderstandings or disputes can quickly arise. For trainers, a dispute with a client could result in serious consequences. Whether the client has left with unpaid bills or is complaining to other people in the horse world about their experience, it could be extremely damaging to a trainer’s reputation and financial well-being. So, what can a trainer do to defend themselves following a client storming out with their horse? Recouping Unpaid bill ..read more

Buying a horse should be an exciting time, and it can be equally exciting to see a horse you’ve developed head to a new home. Often, trial periods are used for the potential buyer to try out the horse to make sure they are a good fit – but during this time, things can go wrong. If the horse is going to be away from its home stable during a trial period as part of the sale process, both buyer and seller should make sure some precautions are in place during that time. HorseSport spoke to Louis DelSignore, a lawyer specializing in personal injury and equine law at McKenzie Lake Lawyers in London ..read more

An unusual situation facing the equestrian sport industry is arising as online betting on jumping, dressage and other equestrian events is becoming more popular. Some online betting platforms have been actively promoting participation in horse sport, especially involving the high-profile Olympic Games and World Championships. One example is BetHorseSports.com (originally called Jump Clear Fantasy) based out of Wellington, FL, which was launched in March 2022 and offers ‘fantasy’ contests via its apps. (Interesting to note that its disclaimer reads ‘Gambling or sports wagering are not permitted ..read more

Competition rules state that at all times during Equestrian Canada events, stewards should be randomly patrolling the stables and observing the management of the horses. Their job is to help, prevent and intervene, ensuring that the rules are followed for the safety and welfare of all competitors, caretakers and their charges. Stewards are specifically monitoring the following; unauthorized administration of medication use of equipment such as shockwave therapy machines (must be administered by vet and the horse cannot compete for 96 hours) ensuring cards with emergency contacts are filled ou ..read more

Horseback riding is an inherently risky activity. Even with well-trained and attentive stable operators and staff, a certain amount of risk must be accepted by any rider. Horse participants often come with family members, including children and dogs. Some stables have a “no dog” rule, however it is very difficult to have a “no children” rule and keep your customers happy. In addition, many stables hold summer camps to help pay the bills and what we affectionately used to call “barn rats” will descend on a stable for a period of weeks through the summer to fall in love with horses, cats, dusty ..read more

There is nothing more discouraging for a barn owner than a boarder who is behind on their board. A horse requires constant attention, food and care, vet and farrier services, and other expenses which come at a significant expense for the barn owner. If a boarder falls behind in their payments ‒ or worse, disappears ‒ what options are available to a barn owner to care properly for the horse and get paid the board that is owing? The first step: prevention Every barn owner needs a good written boarding agreement that includes all the financial issues: payment terms – usually a fixed amount month ..read more

Horse owners tend to view their equine veterinarians as life-savers, miracle workers and even demi-gods. Most of the time these medical professionals live up to that high standard ‒ but what recourse do you have when you suspect your vet is guilty of misconduct, malpractice, cruelty or abuse? In Canada, provincial veterinary associations (or a separate licensing body empowered by provincial legislation) are responsible for licensing veterinarians. It is the duty of these licensing bodies to protect the public interest through regulation of their members and while the general requirements to pr ..read more