Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Illinois

While out of town, I asked my horse to be ridden by the owner/trainer of the facility where I board. She is being paid $45 per ride. She rode the horse once with no incident. The next day she put the horse on crossties and put her saddle on. She then left the horse unattended to get something from another room. While unattended, the horse spooked at something (unknown) and broke the crossties and fell on the concrete floor. The horse got up and seems unharmed (yet to be determined). But the trainer's saddle was damaged while the horse tried to get up. The trainer wants to hold me responsible for the damage to her saddle. It is a widely known practice to NEVER leave a horse unattended on the crossties. Am I responsible for her saddle? Is she responsible for any injury to my horse?


Asked on 4/12/10, 9:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

If the facility has rules and guidelines you should review them carefully to see if they cover situations like these. If there is a rule it may still be unfair to you. If there isn't a rule it sounds like you know what the customary practice is and it sounds like the facility failed to adhere to it. I'm sure the saddle is not cheap and worth a lot more than $45 a ride....

Frankly, however, when you say your horse "seems" to be ok was a vet consulted? Could there be broken/fractured ribs? Concussion? If you're right though, it sounds like you are not responsible based on a "reasonable care" standard the facility failed to adhere to and for potentially any injury to your animal. If this can't be worked out amicably I would look for another stable.

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Answered on 4/17/10, 10:22 am


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