Sellers Guide

Legal Requirements of all Sellers:

• A valid passport must be provided at sale.
• The equine must be microchipped.
• Ownership details should be updated with the relevant Passport Issuing Organisation.

Misrepresentation Applies to all Sellers

It is unlawful to:

• Provide false information
• Withhold significant known issues
• Make misleading claims about behaviour, health, competition record, or history

If misrepresentation is proven, a buyer may have the right to unwind the sale and seek compensation.

Selling as a Trader(business/dealer/sales yard)

If you sell horses as part of a business even on a small scale you may legally be considered a trader.

A trader must ensure that the horse is:

• As Described - Any statements made in advertisements, messages, or verbally must be accurate.
• Of Satisfactory Quality - Taking into account age, price, breed, and intended use.
• Fit for Purpose - If a buyer makes clear what they want the horse for (e.g. child’s pony, riding club horse, hunting), the horse must reasonably meet that purpose.

Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015:

• Buyers may have a 30-day right to reject if a fault was present at the time of sale.
• Within the first 6 months, a problem is legally presumed to have existed at the time of sale unless the seller can prove otherwise.

If You Are Selling Privately

If you are a genuine private seller (not selling in the course of business):

You must ensure:

• The horse is legally yours to sell
• The horse matches its description
• You do not misrepresent or conceal important information

Private sales do not require the equine to be “fit for purpose” or of “satisfactory quality,” but you must not mislead a buyer.

Buyers Guide

Buying a horse carries risk and responsibility. Buyers are expected to take reasonable steps to protect themselves.

Buyers should:

• Ask Clear Questions
• Be specific about intended use and request written confirmation where possible of the horses suitability for intended use.
• Keep Records eg. Retain screenshots of adverts, messages and descriptions.
• Consider a Pre-Purchase Vetting (a vetting reduces risk but does not remove seller liability for misrepresentation.)
• Understand Who They Are Buying From (Legal rights differ significantly between buying from a trader and buying privately.)
• Ensure Passport & Microchip Compliance (Check that documentation matches the horse before completing the sale.)