Brandon

Bury St Edmunds

Norwich

Thetford

Get in Touch with Rudlings Solicitors

Whether you need expert legal advice or have a question about our services, our team at Rudlings Solicitors is here to help. With offices in Brandon, Norwich, Thetford and Bury St Edmunds. We provide professional and approachable legal support tailored to your needs. Contact us today through our online form, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Equine law solicitors

Trusted legal support from equine solicitors you can count on

The equestrian industry is full of challenges – something every horse owner and rider knows all too well. Whether you're a professional rider, running your own equestrian business, or own a horse privately, we can assist with a range of legal issues.

Working with Rudlings is smooth and straightforward. We begin with a free, no-obligation consultation and take the time to understand the particulars of your case before offering flexible solutions to help you achieve the best possible outcome.

Explore our equine law services

We provide effective, reliable legal advice across a range of equestrian law services, helping you navigate the industry with confidence.

Equine property and planning

Having your horse in your back garden is a vision that keeps equestrian properties in high demand. Whether you're a client looking to purchase, lease, or sell an equestrian property, our equine solicitors provide expert property services with a thorough understanding of the sector’s unique needs.

We have a proven track record of advising the rural community on a range of property matters, such as:

Landlord and tenant
Sale and purchase of equine property
Equestrian business tenancies
Grazing rights and licences
Rights of way
Boundary agreements and disputes
Planning requirements for equestrian facilities

Key contacts

Steven Mcgrath

Head of Department & Partner Solicitor

Jade Westhead

Solicitor

View all contacts

Contractual equine agreements

In the absence of written evidence, verbal contracts confirmed with a handshake can be notoriously difficult to prove.

Our specialist equine lawyers can provide bespoke legal agreements for all types of matters including livery, equipment and horse purchase, loan agreements, riding schools, and grazing. With solid, legally binding contracts, you don’t just protect your interests but also avoid potential disputes later down the line, giving you complete peace of mind.

Personal injury and damage claims

Horse riders and owners can handle a few knocks and tumbles, but sometimes an injury can leave you in need of professional support and reliable equine legal advice.

If you've been injured while working with horses, whether in the saddle or on the ground, we have the knowledge and experience to claim you compensation.

We understand that the equestrian sport often requires significant investment and accidents to your horse or equipment can be both costly and distressing. If you need guidance on whether you have a valid claim, we're here to help.

While horse riding and ownership does come with inherent risks, we offer specialist legal advice for those pursuing compensation for accidents that weren't their fault, including:

Workplace injuries
Road traffic accidents
Clinical and veterinary negligence
Sporting injuries

Our approach: how we work

Buying a horse

Buying a horse should be an exciting experience, but it can quickly turn sour if the equine you bring home is not as described. If you’ve purchased a horse based on inaccurate or misleading statements, you could have grounds for a claim against the seller.

Selling a horse

Selling a horse can be just as stressful as buying one. If you're facing an unjust claim from a purchaser, we may be able to support you in defending it. Our equine law team understands how important a dealer or horse breeder's reputation is – and just how easily it can be put at risk. If you're regularly buying and selling horses, we can assist with drafting robust written sales agreements, helping you prevent disputes and protect your professional standing.

Import and export of horses

When buying and selling horses internationally, equine disputes can arise over matters like quarantine requirements, transportation issues, contract terms, and unexpected taxes. We offer practical and reliable legal advice to help you with any disputes concerning the importation / exportation of horses, ensuring a smooth transaction from start to finish.

Professional negligence

Unfortunately horses can't be bubble wrapped – some injuries are unavoidable and call for professional veterinary attention. While we place a lot of trust in vets that look after our beloved animals, mistakes can and do happen. Our equine law solicitors make the legal process as stress-free as possible, helping you determine if professional negligence has occurred and whether you have a claim. If we determine you have grounds for legal action, then we’ll be ready to take the next step with you.

Employment disputes and contracts

Whether you're a groom, rider, trainer or stable manager, we offer specialist legal advice handled in line with employment law. Wider equine disputes may include issues such as unfair dismissal, contract breaches, wage disputes, and working conditions. We're on hand to help protect you should any dispute arise.

Liability limitation

Liability disputes in the equestrian world can be complex, particularly given the high-risk nature of the sport. Implementing liability limitation measures can reduce exposure to claims in the event of injury, loss, or damage.

Our specialist team drafts the agreements you need to protect yourself from any excessive claims, while also providing dedicated and compassionate legal expertise you can understand.

Debt recovery

Financial disputes aren't uncommon in the equine industry, whether that's unpaid livery fees to non-payment for horses sold. We help you recover what you're owed efficiently and effectively. Whether through negotiation or legal action, we work to protect the interests of our clients and secure the best possible outcome for them.

Sale and purchase of equestrian businesses

If you're buying or selling an equestrian business, disputes can arise over lease agreements, breaches of contract, and property ownership. We're here to ensure that our clients receive trusted legal advice, when they need it most.

Health and safety at equestrian premises

Riding schools, livery yards, and competition venues must comply with health and safety regulations. Disputes may arise if these requirements are not met, or if safety measures are not in place. Our team can help equestrian premises stay compliant and defend you against any potential claims.

Why choose Rudlings for equine law services?

Friendly approach. We put relationships first and transactions second.
Straight-talking. We provide legal advice that's easy to understand, giving you clarity in life’s challenging moments.
Specialist team. We've been providing expert advice for over 100 years.
Transparent pricing. With fixed prices for most of our services, you always know where you stand.

Find Rudlings’ offices across East Anglia in Norwich, Brandon, Thetford, and Bury St Edmunds. Whatever your situation, our equine law specialists provide trusted, practical legal advice to help you through any issues you're facing in the equine sector.

Speak to an experienced member of our team who will be happy to assist you.

What types of businesses do we work with?

We work with businesses of all sizes and across various sectors, from start-ups to established corporations. We’ve helped small, family-owned businesses grow through strategic acquisitions and bespoke franchising agreements, and we’ve supported national businesses with supplier contracts, terms and conditions, company law, and compliance needs.

Whatever the size and scope of your business, our commercial teams will provide dedicated, hands-on legal expertise at every stage of your business journey – from acquisition through to disposal.

We are all about building relationships

Whatever the size and scope of your business, our commercial teams will provide dedicated, hands-on legal expertise at every stage of your business journey – from acquisition through to disposal.