Horse Bill of Sale Template

A horse bill of sale template is a legal document that proves the horse purchase and sale between a buyer and a seller. A simple bill of sale for horse template confirms the transferred ownership of the horse from one party to another. Create your version of a horse bill of sale with Lawrina Templates, download it in PDF, and share it with the other party to finish the deal successfully.

There are several reasons why a person would want to purchase a horse or a pony but horses are most often sold for the purposes of riding or farming. Because of the higher monetary value of horses, the sale of horses often requires a bill of sale as proof.

What Is a Bill of Sale for a Horse?

A horse bill of sale template, or an equine bill of sale form, can be used to create a legal document that proves the purchase of a horse between a buyer and a seller. A simple bill of sale for horse template can be used to confirm the transferred ownership of the horse from one party to another.

Any breed of horse can be sold through a horse selling contract. However, as a seller, you should guarantee that the animal is healthy and trained as expected by the buyer.

Parties of the Horse Bill of Sale

As with other types, a horse bill of sale involves only two parties:

• Buyer — the person who is interested in purchasing the horse in question.
• Seller — the person who is transferring ownership of the horse in exchange for money.

It is a common practice in an equine transaction for the buyer and the seller to have agents or a dual agent, who will receive commissions on the sale, representing their interests. For instance, in California, a properly written bill of sale for these transactions will specify the price of the horse and to whom commissions are paid.

Key Terms

A horse bill of sale example serves as a legal document that details the sale and offers a guarantee of the horse’s condition at the time of signing. The document puts the seller and the buyer on the same page. The following key terms may be included:

• Description of the horse — The description should include some general information about the horse, such as the horse’s name, date of birth, breed, and training, if any. It should also include information about the horse’s health and condition, thus serving as a guarantee for the buyer.
• Purchase price and deposit — The purchase price is the final price that is being exchanged for the horse. The deposit is the amount that the buyer agrees to put down immediately if the parties have agreed to installments. A deposit is not necessary if the buyer chooses to pay the whole amount on the date of the sale.
• Pre-purchase examination — If both parties agree, the horse can be examined before the sale. The contract can be amended on the basis of the examination results.
• Commissions — If there is a third party involved, such as a trainer or a veterinarian, the bill of sale should include who will be responsible for covering any fees and commissions resulting from the sale.
• Risk of loss — The risk of loss or injury needs to be allocated to either the seller or the buyer depending on the circumstances of the sale. If a shipping or delivery service is used, the risk is usually allocated to the party that chooses the shipping company.

What Should a Horse Bill of Sale Include?

A horse sale contract should include the following information:

The horse’s description: name (if applicable), age, breed, bloodline, gender, date of birth, current health conditions, and any extra information that a buyer should know;

How To Write a Horse Bill of Sale

The following are detailed instructions for creating a standard printable horse bill of sale form. You can refer to a sample and build your general equine bill of sale template and have it ready to download in a printable PDF.

Negotiations

Both parties should meet so the buyer can see the horse. The seller should ensure that all appropriate health checkups have been completed and that the animal is ready to serve its new owner. The buyer has the right to ask questions about the horse’s lineage, health, registration, competition experience or training, if any, etc. The details of this discussion should be documented so the agreed terms can be saved for creating a horse purchase agreement.

The parties should also discuss the price of the horse. Usually, a seller’s asking price is based on the horse’s features, age, bloodline, behavior, training, experience, and medical history. Because buyers will always negotiate for a better deal, the seller should always be prepared with an initial asking price and the lowest price he or she would be willing to accept.

In many US states, there are certain legislative requirements regarding the availability of a certificate of veterinary inspection and/or other similar documents, proving a record of negative equine infections, such as equine infectious anemia, equine lyme disease, etc.

Filling Out the Horse Bill of Sale

Filling out stallion breeding contract templates with adding essential information about the horse, the parties, the fees, and the sale date. Make sure that all names are written (or typed) correctly, numbers are also written out in words, and the fees and dates are as agreed to during negotiations.

Revising the Contract

After drafting a blank sales contract for horses, both parties should check the accuracy of the information included. If the document is error-free, it can be printed for both parties to sign.

When Should I Use a Horse Bill of Sale?

Any purchase and sale deal regarding horses should be supported by a signed horse bill of sale form. This document gains its legal force immediately and enables the new owner to take possession of the animal to use for farming, showing, riding, etc., depending on the horse.

A horse purchase contract proves that the parties agree about the animal sale and prevents any confusion if the horse’s lineage, health, or qualifications are questioned. Buyers will need the signed equine bill of sale to register their horses and claim ownership. Sellers can legally transfer their liabilities to care for the animal to the purchasers through the use of a bill of sale.

Common Use Cases

Some common reasons for signing a horse bill of sale include when:

• You are buying a horse or a pony for riding, farming, or showing;
• You want to ensure that the horse is as healthy as the seller claims;
• You want to protect yourself, as the seller or the buyer, from being liable for whatever happens to the horse when it’s not your legal responsibility.

When Not To Use the Horse Bill of Sale

A horse bill of sale is a prerequisite for most horse and pony purchases in most states. The following are some situations that do not require a horse bill of sale:

• The sale and purchase of another farm animal, such as a cow or a pig, requires its own bill of sale;
• According to UCC Article II, a sale of a horse that does not exceed $500 does not require legal documentation.

How To Sell a Horse: Tips & Tricks

Following a few valuable recommendations will help you to sell your horse quickly and legally.

Get Your Horse Ready for a Presale Health Inspection

Arrange an appointment with your veterinarian to get a complete medical checkup for the horse. Review the horse’s record to see if its vaccinations are up to date. Based on the vet’s determinations, you can proceed to your sale. Be ready to provide potential buyers with the relevant health information for the horse.

Create Your Price for the Horse

Your fee for the animal should be based on the horse’s age, bloodline, health conditions, and training to find the best price on the market. When buyers know what they are paying for, it will be easier for sellers to complete their deal and release their responsibility for the horse to its new owner.

Post Your Horse Sale Announcement

Take new photos of the animal and list it locally or on any of these specialized horse-selling platforms: