Equine Liability Archives - Equestrian Sports Law

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Vet Clinic Seeks Enforcement Of Non-Compete

A multi-jurisdictional veterinary clinic has secured an injunction prohibiting one of its former veterinarians from practicing equine veterinary medicine within numerous counties […]

Arizona Court of Appeals Reinstates Sales Fraud Lawsuit

An Arizona Court of Appeals recently reinstated the lawsuit brought by a disgruntled purchaser of a lame horse. The purchaser claimed the […]

Quarter Horse Breeders Fail To Prove “Profit Motive” To IRS

The IRS audited a couple, who operated a Quarter Horse breeding and training business, for the 2017-2019 tax years. The IRS determined […]

Supreme Court of Michigan Agrees To Interpret Equine Activity Liability Act

The Supreme Court of Michigan has agreed to review the dismissal of a personal injury lawsuit brought by a woman who was […]

Mountain or Molehill? That Is The Question.

A Louisiana appellate court has reinstated a personal injury lawsuit that was dismissed by a trial court, sending the case back to […]

Kids Fall Off Sometimes

A Maryland horse trainer was absolved of liability for the injuries sustained by a child who fell off on a trail ride […]

Supreme Court Of Iowa Affirms Dismissal Of Personal Injury Lawsuit; Admits Iowa’s Immunity Statute Yields “Harsh Result”

A horse trainer in Iowa asked one of his students to film him operating an antique horse-drawn sickle mower. After about forty […]

Federal Appellate Court Rules HISA Unconstitutional

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently struck down the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act ("HISA") on Constitutional […]

Israeli Showjumper Proves Environmental Contamination Of Horse’s Stall Caused Positive Drug Test

After her horse tested positive for a Banned Substance at an event held at Galway Downs Equestrian Center in Temecula, CA, an Israeli showjumper took immediate steps that enabled her to establish environmental contamination as the cause of the violation.

Products Liability Lawsuit Alleges “Fura-Zone” Ointment Causes Female Reproductive Problems

A group of horsewomen have filed a products liability lawsuit in federal court in California, suing the manufacturer of the commonly used equine topical ointment "Fura-Zone," claiming repeated exposure to the ointment caused them to suffer reproductive and fertility problems, including ovarian cysts and fibroids.

Another “Environmental Contamination” Defense Falls Flat

A New Jersey racehorse trainer unsuccessfully appealed stiff penalties imposed by the New Jersey Racing Commission after a post-race urine sample taken from a horse he trained tested positive for three banned substances: Oxycodone, an opioid used to treat pain; Carisoprodol, a medication used to treat musculoskeletal pain; and Meprobamate, a medication used to treat…

Racehorse Trainer Fined $1,000 After Horse Tests Positive For Meloxicam

Renown Thoroughbred racehorse trainer, Todd Pletcher, recently appealed a $1,000 fine and 10-day suspension that was imposed on him by the New York Gaming Commission (“New York Racing”) after a horse he trained tested positive for Meloxicam after finishing in second place in a race held at the Saratoga Racecourse.

Equipment Failure: “Inherent Risk” or Proof of Negligence?

The Virginia trial court dismissed an injured rider's personal injury lawsuit against a stable on the basis of a pre-injury liability release signed by the rider. Relying on the signed release and Virginia's Equine Activity Liability Act ("EALA"), the trial court concluded the rider could not sue. The rider appealed.

Federal Court Rejects Challenge To SafeSport Procedures

A federal appellate court recently dismissed a challenge to SafeSport that was brought by three trainers who had been sanctioned by SafeSport for violating its code of conduct. The trainers filed a federal lawsuit against the United States Center for Safesport (“SafeSport”), the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (“USOC”) and the United States Equestrian…

Rider’s Personal Injury Claim Will Go To Trial

A New York court refused to dismiss the personal injury lawsuit of a rider who claimed a dude ranch employee torqued her knee while helping her mount the horse she was given to ride. The lawsuit was initiated by an experienced horseback rider who participated in advanced riding at defendant's dude ranch for two…