Can I be sued if I provide services related to horses?
Yes, you can be sued if you provide services related to horses in New York. Anytime someone provides a service, there is risk of a lawsuit. Equine law in New York is based on the “equine activity liability” law, which holds that providers of horse-related activities are immune from lawsuits in most circumstances, but immunity is lost if the service provider exhibits reckless disregard for the safety of the participant. Equine activity includes providing goods and services related to horses such as boarding, training, guiding, selling, breeding, and riding. Providers of these services have a responsibility to make sure these activities are carried out safely and with reasonable care. If a service provider fails to do so, he or she can be held liable for any resulting damages. For example, a horse trainer can be held responsible for any injuries caused to a rider of a horse the trainer trained. This includes anything from the horse bucking or kicking the rider to it running off with a rider on its back. Similarly, if a horse boarding facility fails to properly take care of the horses under its care, then the manager of the facility can be held liable for any damages caused by the horses. Ultimately, if you provide services related to horses in New York, then you are responsible for doing so in a safe and responsible manner. If you fail to do so, then you can be sued for any resulting damages.
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