Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
LEGAL OBLIGATIONS
Horse owners have legal obligations to their horses, neighbors, other horse owners in the
area, and to pedestrians and motorists passing by the property. Check the liability laws that
apply to your specific location; they may be described by a phrase such as “ordinary care
and diligence,” which can be open to a wide range of interpretations. When farms were
larger, “Good fences make good neighbors” was about all you had to worry about. Now,
with horse properties becoming smaller and neighbors getting closer, perhaps “Good senses
make good neighbors” would be more appropriate. Be aware of how your horse operation
looks, smells, and sounds to your neighbors.
RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE ENVIRONMENT
Horses can be hard on land. If overgrazed, a pasture can become a dirt lot in a hurry. Once
bare, land either blows away, washes away, or is taken over by weeds. Although it is ideal
to afford a horse as much turnout on pasture as possible, we must learn and use techniques
that will allow us to balance our use of the land with our care of the land. In addition, every
horse owner must deal with the reality of manure management and pest control, and im-
plement environmentally responsible practices when using pesticides, herbicides, and other
potentially toxic substances.
