The equine industry in the U.S. generates an economic impact of approximately $100 billion a year. Our Equine Law Practice Group has substantial experience in providing comprehensive legal services to clients in the equine industry. Our equine law attorneys focus on the business and legal needs of clients in the equine industry, including ownership issues related to thoroughbreds, hunter jumpers, dressage horses, polo ponies, and recreational horses. Our attorneys represent clients in transactions and litigation involving breeding rights, purchase and sales, financing, regulatory and tax matters related to equine ownership, as well as all aspects of acquisition, construction, finance and ownership of equestrian facilities. We approach each matter with creativity and insight to insure that resolutions are cost-effective and practical.
Over the years, members of our Equine Law Practice Group have handled some of the most prominent transactions in the equine industry, including the acquisition, permitting and construction of several major polo and equestrian facilities in South Florida; multi-million dollar finance transactions; successful appeals related to agricultural exemptions for equestrian facilities; tax and business structuring advice for owners of equestrian assets; and litigation involving equine related matters.
McDonald Hopkins’ equine law attorneys have a thorough understanding of the many subtle issues and nuances unique to the equine world which must be understood and considered when providing legal services to the equine community. Among the representative legal services provided are the following:
- Agricultural exemptions and appeals
- Banking and finance specific to equine assets
- Best management practices for equine operators
- Boarding agreements and disputes
- Breeding agreements and disputes
- Business and employment contracts
- Business entity formation
- Development of equestrian-themed residential communities
- Equine insurance matters
- Equine related tax matters
- Estate planning
- Financing
- Formation of polo players clubs
- Gaming
- Government lobbying
- Government economic incentives and land use restrictions
- Leasing of horses and/or equestrian facilities
- Licensing and permitting
- Litigation of equine-related matters
- Operator liability and release issues
- Sale and purchase of horses
- Sale and purchase of equestrian businesses and farms
- Sales commission agreements
- Stallion service agreements
- Training agreements
- Waste management issues
- Water quality, drainage and water supply issues
- Zoning and land use issues
Our equine law attorneys have developed a national reputation in this field including representation of banks specializing in equine lending and representation of polo team owners. The firm’s equine law attorneys have been instrumental in the successful development of numerous polo, stabling and jumping facilities, as well as equestrian-themed residential communities.
Moreover, many of our attorneys on an individual basis have been active participants in the equine industry as lobbyists’ for equine organizations, state racing commission board members, town council members of equine oriented communities, and members of the board of directors of colleges offering majors in equine studies.
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