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Equine Law Solicitors

Speak to our specialist equine solicitors in North Yorkshire.
If you own or sell horses, we can help with expert equine legal advice.

Crombie Wilkinson has equine lawyers offering legal services to individuals and businesses in the equine community, including NFU member equine disputes.


From our base here in Yorkshire – a leading region in the equestrian scene - our equine solicitors offer a wealth of advice to clients, including jockeys, equine vets, horse owners and trainers. 

Don’t gamble on your horse’s future. Get expert legal advice in equine law. Contact us today.
 

Equine legal services for horse owners and equestrian businesses

We understand that owning or managing horses comes with unique legal considerations.

Whether you're a private horse owner, yard owner, breeder, competitor, riding school owner, or other equine professional, our experienced team is here to support you with your equine legal needs.

We combine comprehensive legal knowledge with a practical understanding of the equestrian world to deliver clear and effective equine legal advice when it matters most.

Equine Dispute Resolution

Disputes in the equine sector can be complex, emotional, and financially distressing.

Our Dispute Resolution team is experienced in handling issues such as misrepresentation in horse sales, loan and livery agreement disputes, equine business disputes and veterinary negligence claims.

We work quickly to assess your position, explore resolution options, and pursue the most efficient and cost-effective route whether through negotiation, mediation, or court proceedings.

Equine Private Client

We assist private horse owners and equine businesses in planning for the future and protecting their equine assets.

Our Private Client team can help you draft Wills that reflects your wishes regarding your horses and clearly sets out your intentions for their ownership, care, or rehoming after your death.

For those involved in equestrian enterprises, we also advise on succession planning to ensure a smooth transition of business interests and assets to the next generation or designated successors.

In addition, we provide guidance on creating and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney, ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place should you lose capacity, and when decisions need to be made about the management and welfare of your horses.

Property and equine facilities

Buying or selling a property with equestrian facilities requires careful legal guidance to ensure your interests are protected.

Our Residential and Commercial Property teams handle transactions involving country homes, smallholdings, and large properties with stables, arenas, and other equestrian facilities.

We understand the unique considerations that come with equine properties, such as access to bridleways, covenants, and planning permissions for existing or proposed facilities.

Whether you're purchasing your first equestrian home or selling an equine business property, we’ll guide you through the process with clear and practical equine legal advice tailored to your needs.

Commercial law and equine businesses

For those running equine businesses such as riding schools, livery yards, studs and competition venues, our Commercial team offers tailored advice on leases, licences, land acquisition, and development. We also assist with business structuring, regulatory compliance and contract drafting. Whether you're starting a new livery yard or managing an established venue, we provide practical, commercially focused legal support to help you grow and protect your business.

Need help? We’ll take the reins

Whether you’re embroiled in a dispute or just want to understand your rights, we’re happy to help.

Got questions? Get in touch.

You can also read more advice in our blogs:

Your legal rights explained when you've been mis-sold a horse - read our advice on this in our blog.

FAQs

Do I need to include my racehorse in my Will?

Yes. Your horse is an asset, just like the rest of your property. Including it in your Will ensures that ownership passes according to your wishes and avoids uncertainty about your horse’s future after your death. If you own a racehorse outright, it is important to do the following:

  • Include provisions in your Will detailing what will happen to your horse after you die.
  • Clearly state in your Will whether your horse is to be sold or left to a specific person. You should discuss this with your trainer and executors before finalising any arrangements.
  • Consider whether you want to leave a lump sum of money in your Will to cover your horse’s upkeep. This money is normally left in trust to a specified person who will deal with any payments, such as trainer’s fees. This person should be someone you trust to handle your money sensibly and ideally who understands what racehorse ownership involves.
  • You could write a separate letter of wishes setting out how the money is to be used. You could include other plans for your horse, such as specific races you would like it to enter or what will happen to the horse if it is injured or retired.

Our equine solicitors can assist in drawing up your Will or reading through an existing one.

How do I set up a horse riding or trekking centre?

If you’re starting a horse riding or trekking business, it’s important to get legal advice early.

Our equine lawyers in Yorkshire can help you with all aspects of setting up your business, from choosing the right structure and obtaining licences to planning for future succession when the business is passed on to the next generation.

Read more about setting up a horse riding or trekking centre.

Do racehorse owners need to consider tax issues?

Yes. For some years now, breeding thoroughbred racehorses has been considered easy pickings for tax receipts by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Perceived as a ‘rich man’s hobby’, tax inspectors have been instructed to carefully examine whether thoroughbred studs are commercial businesses. If HMRC considers this not to be the case, the so-called breeding enthusiast may find themselves receiving a large tax bill either during their lifetime or even after their death.

Anyone involved with horses knows that they don’t often make you rich – quite the opposite in fact!

Read more about staying compliant with HMRC while claiming Agricultural and Business Property Relief, and Income Tax loss relief for breeders.

Do I need planning permission to graze horses on my land?

In some cases, yes. While keeping horses may seem similar to grazing livestock, it may count as a material change of use under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This means you might need planning permission, and it could also have tax implications.

Read our blog for more detailed advice on when planning permission is required to graze horses.