Resources: Fact Sheets

Maine Equine Limit to Liability Law

Helps protect horse owners from being sued as a result of the “inherent risks” of being around a horse.

Defines inherent risks to include: bucking, shying, kicking, running, biting, stumbling, rearing, falling and stepping on; unpredictable reactions to sounds, sudden movements and unfamiliar objects, people or other animals; hazardous surface or subsurface conditions; collisions with other horses or objects; and the unpredictable or erratic behavior of other participants.

Helps protect individual horse owners, businesses and professionals, as well as riding clubs, event/show organizers, 4-H groups, and agricultural fairs.

The law has specific exceptions. There are no protections from liability if, for example, you provide faulty tack or equipment, or have dangerous conditions at your facilities or on your land. Read the law for details.

For equine professionals to be protected they must provide notice of the inherent risks of equine activity. This can be accomplished by, among other things, posting a sign where the equine activity is initiated.

The sign must contain at least the following information:

"WARNING: Under Maine law, an equine professional has limited liability for an injury or death resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities."

The message on the sign must be in black letters at least one inch in height, and the sign or signs must be placed in a clearly visible location on or near stables or areas where the equine professional conducts equine activities. Signs are available from the Maine Farm Bureau office, call 1-800-639-2126 or Email Jon for details.

The law took effect September 18, 1999.

Please note, the law is not a substitute for insurance or good management practices. Read the entire law. It covers many different circumstances. Discuss how the law affects you with your attorney.

This legislation was successfully sponsored by the Maine Equine Industry Association (now known as the Maine Farm Bureau Horse Council), which was founded in 1995 to preserve, promote and protect horses, horse-related activities and the equine industry in the state of Maine.