Protect Your Horse Business: 5 Legal Essentials from Equine Attorney Polly Hey
- Denise Alvarez
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Welcome to the show notes! Remember, this is a brief summary from the How to Market Your Horse Business podcast. You'll want to listen to the entire episode for all the good stuff!
Disclaimer:
The following podcast features attorney Polly Hey of Hey & Hey, Attorneys at Law. Ms. Hey is licensed to practice law in California and Tennessee. The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
Too many equestrian entrepreneurs operate on verbal agreements, handshake deals, or outdated templates they found online years ago. They’re focused on taking care of horses and clients (understandably!) and often see legal paperwork as overwhelming, expensive, or just not urgent… until something goes wrong.
That’s when it becomes clear that not having the right protections in place can cost you more than money—it can cost your reputation, relationships, or even your entire business.
Thankfully, there are ways you, as an equine business owner, can protect yourself from some of that risk and even reduce your liability ahead of time.
In this episode, I sat down with equine attorney and lifelong horsewoman Polly Hey to walk through the five essential steps every equestrian entrepreneur should take to reduce their liability.
Polly grew up in the barn, so she truly gets the industry from both the legal and horse-world perspectives, and she shares stories and strategies that every business owner in the equine space needs to hear.
Whether you’re running a barn, offering riding lessons, or training horses, these steps can protect you from legal headaches and help you build a professional, trustworthy business.
Protect Your Horse Business: 5 Legal Essentials from Equine Attorney Polly Hey
1. Use Clear, Written Contracts for Every Service
One of the biggest mistakes horse business owners make is relying on verbal agreements or handshake deals. Polly emphasizes that written contracts are your first line of defense. Whether you board horses, offer lessons, or train horses, your contracts should clearly outline:
What services are included
Payment terms and refund policies
Responsibilities of each party
Procedures in case of emergencies or disputes
A good contract sets expectations and protects your boundaries—so you’re not left in a legal gray area if things go sideways.
2. Always Have a Liability Waiver Signed
Polly makes it clear: If you have people interacting with horses on your property, you need a liability waiver—no exceptions. Horses are inherently risky, and a signed waiver communicates that clients understand and accept those risks. Your waiver should be tailored to your specific services and location, and updated as needed.
Having this on file isn’t just smart—it could be what saves your business in the event of a lawsuit.
3. Maintain Insurance Coverage That Matches Your Business
Don’t assume your homeowner’s insurance covers your horse business—it probably doesn’t. Polly explains that many equestrian entrepreneurs overlook proper insurance coverage, leaving themselves exposed to financial ruin.
Consider looking for:
Commercial general liability insurance for your equine business
Care, custody, and control insurance if you house other people’s horses
Professional liability coverage if you’re teaching or training
An equine insurance agent can help you find the right policies for your needs.
4. Separate Your Business and Personal Finances
If you’re running your business through your personal bank account, you could be putting your personal assets at risk. Polly recommends forming a legal business entity—like an LLC—to help shield your personal finances. This step, paired with separate business banking and bookkeeping, shows you’re treating your horse business like a professional operation.
Plus, it makes tax time a whole lot easier.
5. Communicate Policies Clearly and Consistently
Legal protections are only as strong as your day-to-day operations. Polly encourages horse business owners to clearly communicate their policies to clients—whether it’s in a welcome packet, onboarding email, or posted at the barn.
Things like:
Cancellation and refund policies
Helmet rules and safety expectations
Drop-off and pick-up procedures
When everyone knows the rules, there’s less room for confusion—and fewer conflicts to deal with later.
These five steps aren’t about fear—they’re about freedom.
When you have the right protections in place, you can run your horse business with more confidence and clarity.
You can focus on what you love—teaching, training, caring for horses—without constantly worrying about what could go wrong.
It’s not about expecting the worst. It’s about being prepared, so you can build a sustainable business that lasts.
Tune in to the full episode to hear Polly’s real-life examples and encouragement for how you can get these protections in place.
Ready to build a business that meets your definition of success? Take the Reins 1:1 Coaching will give you a step-by-step roadmap to get there.
Links Mentioned In This Episode
Blue Ribbon Law: The Indispensable Guide for Horse Owners, Horse Property Owners, and Trainers
Polly Hey, J.D. and Hey & Hey Attorneys at Law APC Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
Take the Reins: 1:1 Business Coaching for Equestrian Entrepreneurs
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