9 min read Last updated: January 2026 Cold-weather flare-ups and colic have your horse in pain and you wondering if paracetamol is an option? Heres how UK vets legally use it under the cascadetypical dosing is 20 mg/kg by mouth twice daily with 91% oral bioavailabilityso you can discuss a safe, effective plan with confidence. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Legal use (Cascade) What To Do: Only use paracetamol on a veterinary prescription after a clinical assessment; ensure your horse is under your vets care. Why It Matters: Its unlicensed for horses in the UK and must meet cascade and RVP requirements. Common Mistake: Giving human paracetamol without vet approval. Area: Dosing & administration What To Do: Follow the prescribed dose (typically 20 mg/kg by mouth twice daily) and use the formulation your vet supplies; do not alter dose or frequency. Why It Matters: Correct dosing maximises efficacy and safety given high oral bioavailability. Common Mistake: Estimating tablet numbers yourself or mixing products to make up a dose. Area: Monitoring & side effects What To Do: Track appetite, demeanour, droppings and hydration; stop the drug and call your vet immediately if diarrhoea or sudden changes occur. Why It Matters: Early recognition of adverse signs prevents complications and guides safer pain control. Common Mistake: Waiting to see if gut signs settle before contacting your vet. Area: Passport & food status What To Do: Check Section IX now; sign your horse out of the food chain if appropriate and keep the passport accessible for treatment notes. Why It Matters: Food status determines if cascade medicines can be used and whether withdrawal periods apply. Common Mistake: Discovering an unsigned passport during an emergency and delaying pain relief. Area: Combining medicines What To Do: Give your vet a full list of all medicines, feeds and supplements; only add or stop products with veterinary guidance. Why It Matters: Combination therapy is common, but interactions and additive side effects must be managed. Common Mistake: Adding herbal or electrolyte supplements without clearing them with your vet. Area: When NSAIDs arent suitable What To Do: If NSAIDs cause gut or renal concerns, ask your vet whether paracetamol under the cascade is appropriate as an alternative or adjunct. Why It Matters: Paracetamol can provide analgesia while reducing NSAIDrelated colonic ulceration risk. Common Mistake: Persisting with ineffective or poorly tolerated NSAIDs without discussing options. Area: Immediate pain plan What To Do: Call your vet, gather vitals (heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, mucous membranes), keep the horse warm and follow feeding advice while you wait. Why It Matters: Clear information and supportive care speed diagnosis and safe prescribing. Common Mistake: Offering feed during suspected colic or exercising without veterinary advice. Area: Storage & human safety What To Do: Store medicines securely, log doses, and keep a clean dosing kit; if a person takes more than two tablets accidentally, seek urgent medical help. Why It Matters: Safe storage prevents dosing errors and human toxicity. Common Mistake: Leaving tablets loose in the tack room or skipping records needed for passport and withdrawal tracking. In This Guide Whats the legal status of paracetamol for horses in the UK? When do vets prescribe paracetamol to horses? How should paracetamol be dosed and given to a horse? What risks and side effects should you watch for? How does your horses passport affect paracetamol use? Can paracetamol be used with other equine pain medicines? What should you do if your horse needs pain relief right now? Pain management can make or break your horses recovery especially through a damp, cold UK winter when colic and musculoskeletal flare-ups are more likely. If your vet mentions paracetamol, youll want the facts, fast, so you can make the safest, most effective plan.Key takeaway: In the UK, paracetamol is unlicensed for horses but vets can legally prescribe it under the cascade at 20mg/kg by mouth twice daily, with 91% oral bioavailability and proven shortterm safety in healthy adult ponies.Whats the legal status of paracetamol for horses in the UK?Paracetamol isnt licensed for equine use in the UK, but vets can prescribe it under the veterinary prescribing cascade after a clinical assessment. This requires the horse to be under the vets care and the decision to meet Routine Veterinary Practice (RVP) standards.Under Regulation (EU) 2019/6 Articles 112114 (the cascade), UK vets must prioritise authorised veterinary medicines first; if none are suitable or available, a human medicine such as paracetamol may be prescribed. The UK Government guidance is clear:When prescribing medicines under the cascade, you must first carry out a clinical assessment of the animal which must be under your care. You must also ensure that the evidence base for your prescribing decisions is robust and complies with Routine Veterinary Practice (RVP). GOV.UK: The cascadeIn practical terms, this means you must not give paracetamol without a veterinary prescription. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) undercare rules (updated 2023/24) also expect an examination (in person or appropriate remote consult) before prescribing a medicine like this. Horses declared as nonfood producing (see Passports & food chain status below) can receive unauthorised medicines under the cascade; otherwise, withdrawal periods apply.When do vets prescribe paracetamol to horses?Vets consider paracetamol when licensed NSAIDs are ineffective or contraindicated, and in some cases alongside other analgesics for severe pain. Its particularly useful where NSAID side effects are a concern.Evidence summarised by Mercer et al notes both efficacy and practical dosing:Although unlicensed, paracetamol is useful under the cascade in some equine patients that arent suited to licensed NSAID alternatives (20mg/kg twice daily by mouth). It has 91% oral bioavailability in horses and has been shown to be safe dosing twice daily for 14 days in healthy adult ponies. Vet TimesMany practices frame its use like this:Paracetamol is a painkiller drug that may be used alongside other painkiller medicines in horses with severe pain... used in horses where traditional painkillers are ineffective in controlling severe pain. Coach House VetsWhy might your vet reach for paracetamol? The most common NSAID adverse effect in horses is colonic ulceration (often presenting as diarrhoea and weight loss), with kidney issues less common. In the UK winter with higher colic risk due to wet weather, reduced turnout, and dietary shifts paracetamol can be an important option for NSAIDintolerant cases under veterinary supervision.How should paracetamol be dosed and given to a horse?The typical equine dose is 20mg/kg by mouth twice daily, prescribed and supervised by your vet; do not selfmedicate. Studies in healthy adult ponies show this regimen is safe for 14 days, and oral bioavailability is high (91%), so oral dosing is effective.Your vet will calculate the exact dose and advise on formulation. For illustration only, a 500kg horse at 20mg/kg equals 10,000mg (10g) per dose, twice daily. Because human tablets are commonly 500mg, thats a large number of tablets another reason dosing must be planned by your vet, who may source a suitable formulation under the cascade.Give exactly as directed and for the duration advised. Do not change dose or frequency without checking with your vet.Store securely, follow the label, and record administrations if your vet requires it for passport notes or withdrawal tracking.If a person accidentally ingests more than two tablets, seek urgent medical help immediately (paracetamol overdose can be serious in people).Quick tip: Keep a dedicated storage box for prescribed medicines in your tack room. Our customers often add a thermometer and syringe/measure to their grooming and firstaid essentials so dosing and monitoring are easy in an emergency.What risks and side effects should you watch for?Paracetamol is generally well tolerated shortterm in healthy adult ponies, but you must monitor your horse and report any concerns to your vet immediately. Stop the medicine and call your vet if you notice diarrhoea, loss of appetite, depression, or any sudden change in demeanour.Context matters: with NSAIDs, the most common adverse effect is colonic ulceration leading to diarrhoea and weight loss, and kidney problems are less common (Vet Times). Paracetamol can help avoid NSAIDrelated gut issues in selected cases, but any new digestive sign still warrants swift veterinary input. For chronic pain management, your vet may choose to monitor blood proteins and renal parameters periodically.Practical pointers:Report all concurrent medicines and supplements to your vet to avoid interactions.Watch droppings, appetite, and hydration closely especially in cold weather when horses often drink less.If diarrhoea occurs on any painkiller, stop treatment and contact your practice; do not wait to see if it settles.Pro tip: Once your vet is happy, simple support like welltimed electrolytes and digestive supplements may help maintain hydration and gut comfort through winter routines. Always clear new supplements with your vet when pain medicines are on board.How does your horses passport affect paracetamol use?If Section IX of the passport is signed, your horse is declared nonfood producing and can be treated under the cascade with unauthorised medicines like paracetamol. If Section IX is unsigned, the horse is treated as foodproducing and your vet must set an appropriate withdrawal period.This is essential legal housekeeping. Horses not signed out of the food chain must follow foodanimal rules; vets then set withdrawal periods for cascade medicines (a statutory six months applies for certain essential substances). To streamline care in an emergency, make sure Section IX is completed in line with your intentions and keep the passport accessible on the yard. Your vet will advise if any treatment needs to be recorded in the passport itself.Quick tip: Review your passport status at the start of winter and before show season travel. It takes seconds and can save hours of delay if emergency pain relief is needed fast.Comfort counts while you and your vet put a plan in place. A wellfitting rug keeps muscles warm and reduces shivering stress; choose breathable layers like winter turnout rugs for wet days or stable rugs when boxresting.Can paracetamol be used with other equine pain medicines?Yes vets often use paracetamol alongside other analgesics, but you must tell your vet about every medicine and supplement your horse is receiving. Do not add or remove anything without veterinary guidance.Combination therapy can target different pain pathways in severe cases, or allow lower doses of NSAIDs where gut risk is a concern. Your vet will balance benefits with potential interactions and monitor for additive side effects. This includes considering nonmedicines such as herbal products and nutraceuticals, so share full details of any supplements or feed changes.Handling and movement support also matter during recovery. Consider protective support such as supportive bandages and boots if your vet recommends controlled exercise.What should you do if your horse needs pain relief right now?Call your vet first; do not give paracetamol without a prescription. While you wait, make your horse comfortable and gather the information your vet will want.Phone your vet and describe signs clearly (onset, severity, triggers, any recent medicines).Check your horses passport status (Section IX) and have it ready if the vet prescribes under the cascade.Record vital signs: heart rate, respiratory rate, mucous membrane colour, and temperature. A digital thermometer in your yard kit is invaluable; many riders keep one with their yard firstaid and grooming kit.Keep your horse warm and dry without overheating. Layer appropriately with breathable turnout rugs for wet weather or a cosy stable rug if boxresting.Follow your vets feeding advice; for colic suspicion, do not offer feed until advised. Encourage small sips of fresh water if allowed.Prepare for medication: a clean bucket, dosing syringe, and something to help acceptance (a slice of soaked feed or a couple of lowsugar treats if your vet approves).If you must hack carefully to keep a restless horse moving on vet advice, make safety visible with hivis rider gear during lowlight winter hours.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend writing your dosing schedule on paper and setting phone reminders the moment a plan is agreed. Consistency reduces relapse risk and helps your vet interpret progress.FAQsIs paracetamol licensed for horses in the UK?No. Its unlicensed, but a UKregistered vet can prescribe it under the cascade after assessing your horse and confirming its under their care. See GOV.UK guidance on the cascade.What dose do horses receive?Typical dosing is 20mg/kg by mouth twice daily, prescribed by your vet. Research reports 91% oral bioavailability and safety for 14 days in healthy adult ponies (see Vet Times).Can I give my horse human paracetamol without a vet?No. Its illegal to give unauthorised medicines like paracetamol without a veterinary prescription under the cascade, and it risks breaching horse passport rules. Your vet must assess and prescribe first (see Coach House Vets guidance and GOV.UK).What if my horse develops diarrhoea on painkillers?Call your vet immediately and stop the medicine unless your vet tells you otherwise. Diarrhoea is a common NSAIDrelated sign due to colonic ulceration; your vet may adjust the plan and consider alternatives like paracetamol under the cascade (see Vet Times).Can paracetamol be combined with other equine medicines?Yes, vets often use it alongside other analgesics for severe pain. Always tell your vet about every medicine, feed change, and supplement to avoid interactions.What if my horse is not signed out of the food chain?If Section IX is unsigned, your horse is treated as foodproducing. Your vet must set a withdrawal period for cascade medicines; some essential substances carry a statutory sixmonth withdrawal (see GOV.UK).How should I store paracetamol, and what about accidental human ingestion?Store securely as labelled by your vet, keep a dosing log, and prevent access by children or animals. If a person accidentally takes more than two tablets, seek urgent medical help immediately.Need winterready kit while you and your vet finetune pain management? Explore breathable layers from WeatherBeeta rugs or comfort upgrades from LeMieux, and keep hydration and gut comfort on track with carefully chosen supplements approved by your vet.Bottom line: work handinglove with your vet. Used correctly under the cascade, paracetamol can be a valuable addition to your equine pain toolbox safely, legally, and with your horses welfare front and centre. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop SupplementsShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop Grooming KitShop Boots & Bandages

11 min read Last updated: January 2026 Loaning a horse is a brilliant way to ride regularly without full ownershipbut it can expose you to costly legal risk. Learn to protect yourself with keeper status under the Animals Act 1971, 30m public liability (BHS Gold), and a solicitordrafted loan agreement that fixes costs, a 30day notice, and emergency authority. Quick Summary Short on time? Here are the key takeaways. Area: Keeper Liability What To Do: Before the loan starts, arrange your own public liability insurance and tell the insurer the horse is on loan. Keep proof of cover and the signed agreement together. Why It Matters: You may be strictly liable under the Animals Act 1971 for thirdparty injury or property damage. Common Mistake: Assuming the owners or yards insurance automatically covers the loanee. Area: Loan Agreement What To Do: Use a professionally drafted contract setting duties, notice, termination and governing law; get it signed before the horse leaves. Take legal advice on any liability limits (you cannot exclude death/personal injury caused by negligence). Why It Matters: Clear, enforceable terms prevent disputes and protect welfare. Common Mistake: Relying on a vague template or verbal promises. Area: Bills & Payments What To Do: Specify who pays livery, farrier, routine and emergency vets, dentistry, worming, vaccinations and insurance, with amounts and due dates. Keep a shared monthly ledger. Why It Matters: Cost clarity avoids unpaid bills and surprise charges. Common Mistake: Leaving responsibilities unstated so the loanee is chased by default. Area: Condition Record What To Do: Create a dated photo record of the horse and tack, list existing injuries and vices, and inventory all kit with condition and value. Consider a preloan vet report for highervalue horses. Why It Matters: Evidence distinguishes fair wearandtear from damage if disputes arise. Common Mistake: Handing over without photos, inventory or independent condition notes. Area: Emergency Authority What To Do: Name the vet, set spending limits, and define who can authorise treatment and euthanasia if the owner cant be reached. Share contacts and keep the agreement accessible. Why It Matters: Fast, authorised decisions reduce risk and legal friction in crises. Common Mistake: Leaving emergency decisions to chance or unreachable parties. Area: Transport Terms What To Do: State who may transport the horse, when professionals are required, and what insurance applies to trailer/horsebox and the horse in transit. Confirm cover before any journey. Why It Matters: Transit incidents are common and not always covered by public liability. Common Mistake: Assuming vehicle or yard policies cover horse and kit in transit. Area: Care & Use What To Do: Document feed, turnout, shoeing, exercise plan and any activity limits (e.g. no hunting or jump height). Include tack maintenance, wearandtear definitions and replacement rules. Why It Matters: Agreed routines protect welfare and manage risk. Common Mistake: Omitting use restrictions and tack rules, leading to welfare or cost disputes. Area: CrossBorder Terms What To Do: Specify governing law and jurisdiction, ensure insurance extends to the destination, and set repatriation and transport requirements. Seek solicitor advice for highvalue horses. Why It Matters: Crossborder enforcement and liability differ and can be expensive to resolve. Common Mistake: Failing to address jurisdiction and insurance when the horse travels abroad. In This Guide What liability do you take on when you loan or share a horse? Do you need insurance to loan a horse? What must a UK horse loan agreement include? How do you avoid disputes over bills, wearandtear and transport damage? Who pays livery and what if bills go unpaid? How does the Animals Act 1971 and negligence law affect you? Crossborder loans and highvalue horses: what extra terms should you add? The practical kit and admin checklist before handover Loaning a horse can be the perfect way to ride regularly without full ownership but it also hands you real legal and financial responsibilities. Understanding keeper liability, insurance and a watertight loan agreement will protect you, the owner, and most importantly, the horse.Key takeaway: If youre the loanee, you are legally the horses keeper and can be strictly liable for thirdparty damage under the Animals Act 1971. Public liability insurance and a professionally drafted loan agreement are nonnegotiable.What liability do you take on when you loan or share a horse?As the loanee, you are classed as the horses keeper and can be held liable for damage the horse causes to other people or property under the Animals Act 1971. The owner (loaner) may also remain liable, so both parties need clarity and insurance.In UK law, a horses keeper is the person in day-to-day control typically the loanee during the loan period. That status brings strict liability for certain types of damage regardless of fault, which is why even careful, competent riders still need robust public liability cover. As equine law specialist Caroline Bowler notes, every rider must act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm, but strict liability can still apply to the keeper when horses behave unpredictably.Every rider... owes a duty to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm... The Animals Act 1971 also applies strict liability to the keeper of a horse. Caroline Bowler, Equine Law Solicitor, Rothera Bray SolicitorsPractically, this means if your loan horse kicks a car, injures a dog out hacking, or bolts into a cyclist, claims may come to you. Owners can also be named, so both parties should agree responsibilities in writing and confirm insurance before the loan begins.Do you need insurance to loan a horse?Yes public liability insurance is essential for loanees, and the British Horse Societys Gold membership provides 30 million cover plus a legal helpline. Owners should require proof of the loanees cover before handing over the horse.Public liability responds to thirdparty injury or property damage caused by the horse. Its the protection you hope youll never use, but its critical when you do. The British Horse Society (BHS) is unequivocal:Public Liability Insurance is essential. As a loanee, you are the horses keeper and may therefore be responsible for any damage that the horse causes to a third partys person and/or property. British Horse SocietyBHS Gold membership includes 30 million public liability cover and access to a free legal helpline for loan disputes invaluable if livery or vet bills are contested. Petplan Equine reinforces the keeper point too:The loanee will be classed as the horses keeper and may therefore be liable for any damage that the horse causes to any third party's person and/or property. Petplan EquineQuick tip: Insurance doesnt transfer with the horse. The loanee should arrange their own public liability (and consider rider accident cover), notify the insurer that the horse is on loan, and provide a copy of the signed loan agreement to the insurer.For personal safety every time you ride, pair your insurance with the right protective kit a properly fitted riding helmet and highvisibility layers for dark UK evenings from our rider hivis range.What must a UK horse loan agreement include?A UK horse loan agreement must clearly allocate responsibility for livery, farrier, veterinary fees, insurance and vaccinations, plus set notice periods and welfare clauses for early termination. It should be professionally drafted, especially where liability is limited.Most loan disputes come down to unclear terms. Avoid them by setting out the essentials in plain English and signing before the horse leaves the owners care. Equine solicitors are clear:It is essential to have a professionally written horse loan agreement in place... Any such exclusion clauses [on liability] should be drafted by a solicitor to ensure they are legally binding. HRJ Foreman LawsAt minimum, include:Parties and horse identification: full details, passport number, microchip, age, known vices.Financial responsibilities: who pays livery (and rate), shoes/trimming, dentistry, routine and emergency vet fees, worming, vaccinations and insurance.Care standards: feeding, turnout routine, clipping, rugging guidelines, exercise program and restrictions (e.g. no hunting, no jumping over X height).Use of tack and equipment: whats loaned with the horse, expected maintenance, wearandtear definitions, and replacement rules for loss or damage.Emergency authority: who authorises treatment and spending limits when the owner cant be reached, including euthanasia decisions.Transport and shows: who can transport the horse, horsebox/trailer insurance requirements, and liability for damage during transit.Duration and termination: fixed term or rolling, notice period (e.g. 30 days) and welfare/urgent termination clauses (e.g. nonpayment, neglect, unsafe handling).Governing law and jurisdiction: England & Wales unless agreed otherwise, particularly important for crossborder loans to Ireland.Pro tip: Document the horses condition at handover. Take dated photos, list existing scars, and record tack condition. For highvalue horses, commission a preloan vet report so both parties can rely on independent evidence later.How do you avoid disputes over bills, wearandtear and transport damage?Write it down, photograph it and insure it: record the horse and tack condition at the start, define wearandtear, agree emergency vet decisionmaking, and set transport rules with required horsebox insurance.Common flashpoints are unsurprising vets, livery, and tack. Vets may pursue the loanee as the daytoday carer when bills go unpaid, so make costs and authorisation explicit. Define whats normal wear (e.g. rug rubs, minor scuffs) versus damage (e.g. broken leather, ripped rugs) and how replacement cost is shared by age/condition of the item. Specify how rugs should be used across UK seasons; in a wet British winter, agree weights and spares to prevent arguments about ruined rugs. You can reduce wearandtear and stay comfortable with quality winter turnout rugs and cosy stable rugs that fit correctly.If the horse will travel, add a transport clause: who can drive, whether a professional transporter is required, what insurance applies to the vehicle and the horse in transit, and who pays for any damage to a trailer or horsebox. Horsebox policies are separate to public liability and should be checked before the first trip.Quick tip: Keep shared documents in a cloud folder loan agreement, insurance certificates, vaccination cards, shoeing schedules and vet notes so both parties can access them instantly in an emergency.Who pays livery and what if bills go unpaid?The loan agreement must state who pays livery and on what schedule; unpaid livery is a civil matter and should be addressed under the agreements breach and termination clauses. As the daily keeper, the loanee often faces invoices by default if responsibilities arent defined.State the yard, livery type (DIY, part, full), monthly amount, due date and what happens if livery increases midloan. Add a clause allowing the owner to terminate immediately for nonpayment or welfare concerns, and a practical handback process (e.g. horse returned within 7 days, all kit checked against the inventory, final bills settled before collection). If you have BHS Gold membership, you can access their legal helpline for guidance on enforcing the agreement or responding to a breach.At Just Horse Riders, we recommend agreeing a simple monthly ledger for transparency: livery, farrier, insurance, routine vet costs, and any adhoc expenses. It keeps both sides aligned and prevents surprises, especially around winter when costs can spike due to extra forage, shoeing changes, and increased rug washing. Keep the horse comfortable and minimise rubs and vet visits by using wellfitting horse boots and bandages for schooling and turnout when appropriate, and maintaining regular hoof and skin care with our grooming essentials.How does the Animals Act 1971 and negligence law affect you?The Animals Act 1971 imposes strict liability on the horses keeper for certain damage, and UK negligence law requires you to act reasonably to prevent foreseeable harm; you cannot exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.In practice, the Act can make you liable even when youve done little wrong horses are large, sometimes reactive animals. Thats why prudent precautions matter: safe turnout, sensible hacking routes, and appropriate supervision for novice riders. Any attempt to exclude liability must be carefully drafted; clauses that try to exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence are generally unenforceable. Equine solicitors strongly advise getting bespoke drafting where liability limits are included.This is also where the BHS, Petplan Equine and specialist firms like HRJ Foreman Laws all align: insure adequately, draft professionally, ride responsibly, and keep good records. Combine those with routine preventative care think joint support and hoof supplements where advised by your vet to reduce risk. Explore proven options in our horse supplements collection, including trusted names like NAF for support during harder work or colder months.Crossborder loans and highvalue horses: what extra terms should you add?Specify governing law and jurisdiction (England & Wales) for crossborder loans, especially to Ireland, and take solicitor advice for highvalue horses to ensure liability limits and enforcement are robust.When a horse steps off UK soil, you add complexity. Make it explicit which countrys law governs the agreement and which courts have jurisdiction. Require the loanees insurance to extend to the destination country and cover transport. For valuable horses, invest in a solicitordrafted agreement that covers liability caps, security deposits, professional transport only, competition restrictions, and rapid repatriation if welfare or payment concerns arise. This is not the place for a DIY template.Pro tip: Agree a preloan trial period on the owners yard with clear riding limits and a simple nofault return clause if either party isnt happy. Its the cheapest way to avoid the wrong match.The practical kit and admin checklist before handoverBefore the loan starts, exchange proof of public liability insurance, sign the full loan agreement, complete a photographic condition report, agree emergency protocols, and check all essential kit fits and is listed in an inventory.Heres a concise preloan checklist you can copy:Insurance: loanees public liability in place; owners policy notified; copies exchanged; insurer given the loan agreement.Agreement: signed by both parties; duration, notice and welfare termination set; governing law included.Money: who pays livery, farrier, routine/emergency vet, dentistry, worming, vaccinations; when payments are due.Care plan: feed, turnout, exercise, clipping, shoeing; restrictions (e.g. hunting or jumping limits).Emergency: vet contact, spending authority, euthanasia decision process if unreachable.Condition record: photos of horse and tack; any vices or existing injuries noted; optional preloan vet report for higher value or performance horses.Transport: who may transport, insurance confirmed, professional transporter if required.Trial: defined period and return mechanism before the full loan goes live.Kit inventory: rugs, boots, bridle, saddle, numnahs, grooming kit, with condition and estimated value.Round out your kit so both parties are confident about welfare and wearandtear. For UK winters and shoulder seasons, choose durable, wellfitting turnout rugs and reliable stable rugs from brands our customers love. Keep your safety front and centre with a certified riding helmet and brighterthanbright hivis layers for dull afternoons. And dont forget the daytoday care: protective boots and bandages for work, a solid grooming kit for skin and coat health, and targeted supplements during changes in workload or weather.Quick tip: Agree a spares list for rugs and boots. Having backups reduces damage from illfitting substitutes and avoids lastminute spending disputes.ConclusionLoaning can be a brilliant partnership when you pair the right horse with the right rider and back it up with the right paperwork and protection. Nail down the agreement, verify insurance, document the handover, and ride with care. If you need support choosing practical kit to minimise wearandtear and keep you safe, the Just Horse Riders team is here to help.FAQsCan a loanee be held liable for damage their loaned horse causes to a third party?Yes. As the horses keeper, the loanee is potentially liable under the Animals Act 1971 for thirdparty injury or property damage. Public liability insurance is essential. See guidance from the BHS and Petplan Equine.Who pays for livery, farrier and vet bills if the loan agreement doesnt say?Disputes are common when costs arent allocated in writing; vets may pursue the loanee as the daytoday carer. Avoid this by specifying responsibilities clearly before the loan starts and keeping a monthly ledger of payments.Can a loan agreement exclude liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence?No. Clauses excluding liability for death or personal injury due to negligence are generally unenforceable. Any liabilitylimiting clauses should be drafted by a solicitor to ensure theyre legally robust; see HRJ Foreman Laws.Does the horses existing insurance transfer to the loanee?No. The loanee must arrange their own public liability (and consider rider accident cover) and provide the insurer with the loan agreement. Owners should also notify their insurer of the loan arrangement.How should we handle emergency veterinary decisions?State in the agreement who can authorise treatment, any spending limits, contact protocols, and the process for urgent decisions if the owner is unreachable. Keep the vets details and the agreement readily accessible.What about transport and horsebox damage during a loan?Include a transport clause specifying who may transport the horse, required horsebox/trailer insurance, and who pays for damage in transit. Consider requiring professional transport for competitions or long journeys.Can I loan a horse to Ireland and still rely on English law?Yes, if your agreement specifies governing law and jurisdiction as England & Wales, but take solicitor advice for crossborder enforceability. Ensure insurance covers travel and activities in Ireland. Shop the Essentials Everything mentioned in this guide, ready to browse. Shop Riding HelmetsShop Hi-Vis GearShop Turnout RugsShop Stable RugsShop Boots & Bandages