What are the legal requirements for boarding a horse?

In Washington, boarding a horse is subject to various legal requirements. Boarders must have a valid and enforceable boarding agreement, which is signed by both the boarder and the owner of the property. The agreement must clearly outline the responsibilities of both parties and address any issues related to the care, feeding, and management of the horse. Furthermore, all horses boarded in Washington must be healthy and current on vaccinations, and, if appropriate, use of a rabies tag or certificate is strongly recommended. It is important to note that any horses boarded in Washington must be licensed in accordance with Chapter 16.60 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). According to RCW 16.60.050, all horses owned or controlled by a person in the state of Washington must be licensed prior to or within 30 days of either acquisition or importation into the state. In addition, the owner of the horse must have proof of a negative Coggins test or other equivalent test within the past year to demonstrate that the horse does not have equine infectious anemia (EIA). Licenses may be obtained from the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Finally, it is important to ensure that the boarding agreement meets the requirements of the Washington State Horse Protection Act (RCW 16.52), which provides protections for horses used in events and competitions in the state. This legislation requires all agreements for the boarding of horses for events or competitions to address matters such as feed and water, the frequency of grooming and medical care, humane housing, and humane transportation.

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