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Grazing Agreements

Blackstone Solicitors provides comprehensive legal advice on matters relating to grazing agreements.

While a verbal agreement might seem sufficient, relying solely on spoken words can lead to misunderstandings and disputes down the line. A formal grazing agreement offers several advantages for both the horse owner (grazer) and the landowner (licensor):

Clarity and Certainty: A written contract clearly outlines the terms of the grazing arrangement, leaving no room for ambiguity. This includes details like the duration of the agreement, the number of horses permitted to graze, and the specific boundaries of the allocated land.
Protection for Both Parties: The contract protects both the grazer and the licensor. For the grazer, it ensures their horses have access to suitable grazing land and outlines the landowner’s responsibilities regarding fencing, water access, and any limitations on usage. For the landowner, it protects them from potential damage to their property and ensures they receive agreed-upon compensation for the use of their land.
Risk Mitigation: A well-drafted agreement can help mitigate potential risks. This may involve outlining responsibilities for maintaining fencing, managing waste removal, and addressing any biosecurity concerns.
Dispute Resolution: Should a dispute arise during the grazing period, the agreement provides a clear framework for resolving the issue. The contract may specify steps for addressing concerns or outline the preferred method for resolving disputes, such as mediation or arbitration.

We can provide all of the expert legal assistance you need and have considerable experience in this area of law and can advise you throughout the process.

Speak to our expert equine law solicitors today to find out more about how we can assist you. Call us on 0330 808 0849 or allow us to call you back by completing our online enquiry form.

Our Approach

We place huge emphasis on getting things done properly and efficiently. This is especially true when providing legal advice concerning grazing agreements and contracts.

Equine law is a specialised area of law that encompasses a wide range of legal issues relating to horses. It applies to all aspects of horse ownership, breeding, competition, and the equine industry as a whole. At Blackstone Solicitors, our team understands the unique challenges faced by horse owners, breeders, riders, and equine professionals across England and Wales.

“Thanks Blackstone for your help. Jane is very helpful, communicative and clear with her correspondence. She is great to work with as nd I would be happy to recommend her.”

– Sam

Why Legal Help is Important

A comprehensive grazing agreement should typically address the following points:

Parties Involved: This includes the full names and addresses of both the grazer and the landowner.
Land Description: Clearly identify the specific area of land designated for grazing, including its size and any boundaries or exclusions. Attaching a map or plan of the grazing area is recommended.
Horse Identification: Identify the horses permitted to graze on the land. This may involve specifying the number of horses, their breeds, and any relevant details like age or sex.
Grazing Duration: Specify the start and end dates of the grazing period. The agreement may also include provisions for early termination by either party under specific circumstances.
Permitted Uses: Outline the intended use of the land by the horses. This typically involves grazing for sustenance but may also specify limitations on activities such as loose schooling or training within the designated area.
Landowner’s Responsibilities: The agreement should outline the landowner’s responsibilities. This may include maintaining fencing in good repair, ensuring a reliable water supply for the horses, and providing access to any shared facilities (e.g., shelters, muck heaps).
Grazer’s Responsibilities: The agreement should clearly define the grazer’s responsibilities. This typically includes maintaining the health and welfare of their horses, disposing of horse waste responsibly, and adhering to any biosecurity measures outlined by the landowner. The grazer may also be responsible for minor maintenance tasks like repairing minor fencing damage.
Veterinary Care: The agreement should clarify the grazer’s responsibility for ensuring their horses receive appropriate veterinary care. This may involve specifying who is responsible for covering any veterinary expenses incurred during the grazing period.
Insurance: The agreement may require the grazer to maintain public liability insurance for their horses while they are grazing on the landowner’s property.
Liability: The agreement should address liability in cases of accidents, injuries, or damage to the land or third-party property during the grazing period. This may involve outlining the extent of the landowner’s liability and any limitations on the grazer’s responsibility.
Termination Clause: The agreement should specify the notice period required by either party to terminate the grazing arrangement. This protects both the grazer and the landowner from unexpected changes and allows for an orderly transition if necessary.
Dispute Resolution: The agreement should outline the preferred method for resolving any disputes arising from the grazing arrangement. This could involve mediation, arbitration, or litigation.

While a handshake agreement might have sufficed in the past, the equine industry today demands a more formalised approach. Equine law is a specialised area that deals with a wide range of legal issues specific to horses. At Blackstone Solicitors, our team in England and Wales understands the unique challenges faced by horse owners, breeders, riders, and equine professionals.

At Blackstone, we can help to give you the very best chance of achieving the outcome you are looking for. Equine law can often be complex, and it is therefore imperative that you seek expert legal help to ensure any contract you sign, is suitable and correct.

Our Services

We provide various services for horse owners and those involved in the equine industry including advising on commercial agreements and making sure everything is completed thoroughly and without error and is in your best interests.

We can also advise on the following areas:

Get in Touch

Find out more about our services and how our equine law specialists can help you and your by getting in touch today. Simply call us on 0330 808 0849 or complete our online enquiry form and a member of the team will call you back at a convenient time.

We are able to help individuals throughout the North West, the rest of the UK as well as internationally from our offices in Cheshire and London.