Safety First, Always.
Sharing horses brings joy, companionship, and shared care. We design our technology to safeguard privacy, set clear legal standards, and support equine welfare at every step.
Progressive Privacy
Your barn address and exact location remain completely hidden from public view until you choose to reveal them to a verified counterparty.
Inherent Risk Standards
Clear guidelines on voluntary assumption of risk across US states and Canadian provinces, establishing mutual safety expectations between owners and riders.
Mutual Agreement Handshake
Both parties review and confirm arrangements, trial rides, and expectations before any in-person commitments take place.
How Progressive Privacy Protects Your Barn
Unlike general classifieds that broadcast your farm address to anyone on the internet, ShareMyHorse uses a 3-tier privacy boundary modeled after leading hospitality platforms:
Public Browsing (Wide Radius)
The general public sees only your county/region (e.g., "Chester County, PA") and an approximate 25-mile circle. Real coordinates and street names are never returned by our server.
Active Conversation (Neighborhood Radius)
Once a rider or owner initiates messaging, location narrows to the city/town and a ~5-mile radius, allowing parties to assess driving feasibility without compromising the barn address.
Accepted Handshake (Owner-Controlled Full Reveal)
After both users accept a sharing handshake, the owner can selectively toggle on exact street address, barn name, directions, and phone numbers exclusively for that person.
Recommended Pre-Sharing Checklist
Essential steps every owner and rider should take before starting an arrangement:
For Horse Owners
- Be candid about your horse's quirks, training level, and known behavioral triggers.
- Supervise the first trial ground-handling and riding session in person.
- Check references from the rider's current or previous trainers.
- Verify the rider wears an ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet and proper footwear.
- Document emergency contacts, your vet, and farrier contact info at the barn.
For Riders & Carers
- Be honest about your riding ability, experience level, and comfort zone.
- Never ride alone without someone knowing your location and schedule.
- Always wear an ASTM/SEI or CE certified helmet and heeled riding boots.
- Inspect tack and equipment for safety and proper fit before mounting.
- Consider personal equine liability or accident insurance coverage.
Understanding Equine Activity Liability & Inherent Risks
What do equine activity liability statutes mean, what are the statutory risk boundaries, and why is understanding voluntary assumption of risk essential for both horse owners and riders?
What State Liability Statutes Do
- Recognize Inherent Equine Risks: 48 U.S. states have codified statutes recognizing that horses are flight animals with unpredictable behaviors (bucking, spooking, sudden reactions to sounds, moving objects, or terrain).
- Voluntary Assumption of Risk: Under state law, participants who choose to engage in equine activities legally assume the inherent risks of injury resulting from natural horse behavior and trail/arena conditions.
- Statutory Warning Requirements: In states with equine liability statutes, equine activity sponsors and facility owners post statutory warning notices and include required warning clauses in agreements.
What State Statutes Do NOT Do
- NOT an Insurance Policy: Equine statutes are NOT insurance. ShareMyHorse does not provide medical, liability, or mortality insurance. Statutes do not pay claims or cover veterinary or medical bills.
- Does NOT Prevent Lawsuits: While statutes limit liability for inherent risks, they do not prevent claims alleging negligence, faulty equipment/tack, misrepresentation of horse suitability, or gross misconduct. Defending against any legal claim still incurs legal expenses.
- Does NOT Replace Private Agreements: Any horse-sharing arrangement made after initial contact is strictly a private agreement between the owner and the rider. Both parties must execute their own written agreement and maintain private insurance.
Non-Statute States & Canadian Framework
California & Maryland (Common Law):
California and Maryland have not enacted specific equine activity liability statutes. In these states, general common law principles of voluntary assumption of risk and express contractual liability releases govern participant disputes.
Canadian Provincial Framework:
In Canada, provincial Occupiers' Liability Acts (ON, AB, BC, etc.) and common law volenti non fit injuria apply. Active provincial federation members (e.g. Ontario Equestrian, Horse Council BC) receive automatic $5M liability coverage.
Equine Liability Insurance by State & Province
Standard homeowner policies exclude horses, and state liability statutes do not protect against negligence lawsuits. Explore our North American directory to compare licensed equine specialists, PHOL coverage, and Canadian provincial federation programs.