Lending my horse out

[gondolo]

I was approached by a local 13 year old girl and asked whether she could help me with the horses- I agreed and she's ridden him a couple of times and taken him to a pc rally- all going well and she is a very nice and sensible girl. Basically, she would like to hack him out on her own- I'm happy for her to do this at her own risk, but where do I stand legally if she injures herself? I've spoken to her mum and the plan is to get something in writing- does any one know of any resources online for this sort of thing?
Thanks

[Olderyetwilder]

As long as you're not using the horse commercially she should be covered on your public liability insurance, as should any liabilty that you have to her in the event of an accident. I'd check with your insurance company to be on the safe side though

[Booboostoo]

She needs rider's insurance, your public liability insurance does not cover her as a rider should she get injured (she has accepted the risk), it only covers her if she causes a third party damage while riding.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

From experience, I can tell you that you can't make a public liability claim against a minor. The claim passes on to their responsible adult.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

I have BHS gold membership. It covers my horses and any I'm responsible for for public liability.

[JoeRich]

I ride my friend's horse for free and took out BHS gold membership to get their insurance.

www.bhs.org.uk/Join_Or_Support_Us/Join_the_BHS/FAQs/Insurance.aspx

[Booboostoo]

BHS Gold would cover you for liability for third party, e.g. if your horse backed into a car while ridden by another rider, but I don't think it would cover you if the other rider got injured in the normal course of riding your horse. As far as I understand it under normal conditions when the other rider (or the adult responsible for her) gets on the horse they accept the usual risks of riding ('usual risks of riding' does not cover you for being negligent, e.g. let's say your horse is a habitual rearer and you fail to disclose that fact, the rider then gets injured when the horse rears, you could be held liable).

Only rider's insurance will cover the girl for personal injury when riding your horse and it would be very sensible to make it a condition of her being allowed to ride at all.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

I'd recommend both actually. BHS for you, rider insurance for her.

[JoeRich]

Even though I don't own the horse, from what I understood about the BHS Gold policy, it covers me for personal accident as well as public liability, as I could be liable because I am the one in control of the horse.

[SaggyOldClothCatPuss]

Publi liability on BHS covers all horses you are responsible for. The Personal accident only covers you.