Just because your state has equine activity liability legislation in place doesn’t mean your equine business is protected from liability lawsuits.

What it does do is make it easier for a judge to dismiss certain cases as defined under the law. If someone files a lawsuit against you, you still have to respond, often incurring legal expenses. A good commercial general liability policy will cover the defense costs you incur.

You also have to make sure that you’ve followed the state requirements within the legislation to have the protection. They might include posting specifically worded warning signs, and/or requiring signed waiver of liability forms from participants in equine activities on your property or under your sponsorship.

Check with your state affiliate to the American Horse Council to find out your state’s requirements.

As of this article May 2004, Six states do not have equine activity liability legislation in place:

• Alaska
• California
• Maryland
• Nevada
• New York
• Pennsylvania