Commercial Agistment
 Home Up Feedback Contents Discussion Forum Classifieds Events
CBRHorse.Potts.net.au

 

CONTRACTS AND OBLIGATIONS

When you agree to agist your horse on a private property it is essential that you sign a contract with the owner of that property. Do not place your horse anywhere without obtaining in writing the conditions under which your horse is agisted. Read the contract carefully and make sure that you understand all the 'fine print'. In particular, note the rights of the property owner if fees are owing for more than a certain period of time. Appendix 2 gives an example of an agistment agreement. In addition to signing a contract, you should establish with the owners:

bulletwhether dogs are allowed onto the property;
bulletwhere you are allowed to ride;
bulletwhether there are any 'out-of-bounds' areas;
bulletwhether all facilities are available all the time, or whether some facilities will not be available some of the time;
bulletoffice hours and preferred methods of payment;
bulletthe limit of public liability held by the establishment;
bulletwhat procedures are used to ensure that all horses on the property are drenched regularly;
bulletwhether vet clinics are held on the property.

In turn, a property owner will expect you to do the following.

bulletLeave gates as you find them whether open or shut, unless you are absolutely sure that a gate is not the way it should be. If you find a gate open when you think it should be shut, or vice versa, let the owner know immediately.
bulletDrive slowly on dirt roads. Speeding only makes potholes and ruts worse and puts dust further out onto the pasture that your horse may be eating.
bulletReport any problems with fencing or gates.
bulletTie your horse to a substantial post or rail. Do not tie your horse to fences or gates.
bulletPark in designated areas. Do not contribute to soil erosion by parking just anywhere that is convenient to you on that particular day. If a parking place is not provided find a flat spot and park in exactly the same place all the*time so wear areas are contained.
bulletDrive only on formed roads. Do not drive into paddocks without permission, unless it is an emergency.
bulletStay with your horse while you feed it, unless it is in a paddock of its own, or unless all horses in the paddock are being fed at the same time. Do not leave your horse unsupervised with a feed in a paddock when there are other unfed horses around, even if your horse is the boss. Some horses are allergic to some types of feed and your horse may not finish its feed after you go, or it may not be as bossy without you around.

Take your rubbish home with you, especially bread and carrot bags. Horses have been known to eat plastic bags with crumbs in them. Let the property owner know if you are going away for more than a few days and if anyone will be looking after your horse in your absence. Also let them know if you have allowed someone else to ride your' horse, or if you have leased your horse to someone.  Not interfere with anyone else's horse, unless it is an emergency and the horse needs immediate attention. If you have problems with the way someone else is treating (or neglecting) their horse, let the property owner know.

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

Most properties have some paddocks that are better than others, in terms of pasture and/or convenience. There is often a 'pecking order' about who goes into the best paddock, determined primarily by who has been there the longest. If you want to move into a more desirable paddock you should check with the owner whether there is a waiting list for a better paddock and make it clear which paddock you would prefer to be in. In addition, make sure that you keep agistment payments up to date or, better still, pay well in advance of that required. Owners will often look more favourably upon someone's request if their agistment payments are always up to date. But remember, a small paddock may be more convenient to you for catching, feeding and rugging, but it will cost more in terms of the amount you have to feed your horse and in your horse's happiness. There is no doubt, horses are much happier in a big paddock with at least several other horses.

 

• Home • Up • Agistment Agreement • Gov't Paddock Locations • Commercial Agistment • Agistment Locations • Private Arrangements • Horses in Backyards • Stable Construction • Arena Construction •

This site is provided by PottsNet I.T. Solutions
If this page needs correcting or updating please send us feedback.