Equine liability laws aim to protect horse-men and -women, stables, and other horse-related businesses from liability issues in lawsuits. Nearly every state has some sort of equine liability law on the books, and Kentucky is no different. Below, the attorneys at Gess Mattingly & Atchison PSC in Lexington, Kentucky, share three facts about the state's equine liability laws.

3 Facts You Should Know About Equine Liability Laws in Kentucky

1. The Law Limits Liability for Those Involved in Equine Activities

The main purpose of the Kentucky statute is to limit liability for those involved in the equine industry. Basically, this means equine professionals are not responsible if a participant is injured or killed in a horse-related mishap. The bulk of this law centers on the "inherent risk" a participant assumes by willingly taking part in an activity with a horse.

2. "Inherent Risk" Are the Keywords in the Kentucky Equine Law

Any lawsuit stemming from an equine accident will come up against those words "inherent risk." But what do they mean? The specific risks participants must accept under Kentucky equine law include:

• The animal's natural tendency to behave unexpectedly or uncontrollably, which can cause damage or injury. 
• The animal's easy-to-startle nature, which can cause damage or injury. 
• Surface or subsurface conditions that present danger. 
• Collisions with other animals or objects. 
• Negligent behavior on the part of the participant. 

3. Equine Professionals Have a Duty to Warn

Those who work in the equine industry have a duty to warn participants of the inherent risks of any horse-related activity about to be undertaken. With that said, they are not required by law to reduce the likelihood of the risk itself, just the responsibility of warning that risks exist. If this warning is not provided, a personal injury lawsuit could be filed against the equine professional.

If you have been injured in an equine activity in Kentucky, or you are a horse provider who is involved in an equine liability lawsuit, trust the attorneys at Gess Mattingly & Atchison PSC to look out for your best interests. For more than six decades, they have been representing the Lexington area in injury, family law, and estate planning matters, to name a few practice areas. Call (859) 252-9000 or visit them online to set up a consultation with an attorney.