Horses are bought and sold for hundreds of thousands or even millions of euros or dollars. Riders compete under international rules that span multiple legal systems. Disputes can arise over veterinary findings, contracts, ownership structures, or doping allegations.
Navigating those disputes requires more than just legal knowledge: it requires knowing the equestrian industry from the inside. A civil lawyer may know contract law inside out, but without knowing how a pre-purchase examination works, how the FEI structures its disciplinary process, or what a horse trader’s warranty obligations look like in practice, they are operating with half the picture.
Schelstraete Equine Law was founded precisely to fill that gap. We combine extensive legal expertise with genuine, in-depth knowledge of the equine industry – from sport to trade, from breeding to corporate investment.
In the questions and answers below, we answer some of the most common questions about equine law, explain why specialist knowledge matters, and outline how we assist clients in navigating legal challenges within the equestrian world.
Q1: Is Equine Law Actually a Thing?
Not in the traditional sense. You will not find equine law in a legal textbook, and there is no dedicated court or formal qualification that makes someone an ‘equine lawyer’. What equine law is, is a practice area defined not by a statute but by subject matter and expertise. It sits at the intersection of contract law, property law, animal welfare regulation, liability law, and international private law — combined with deep, specific knowledge of how the horse world actually works. A lawyer who knows the law but has never heard of a pre-purchase examination, does not understand how FEI rules operate, or cannot read a veterinary grading report, is missing half the picture. Equine law is the practice of knowing both halves.
Q2: Can a General Lawyer Advise and Represent Clients in Equine Law Matters?
A general commercial or civil lawyer can apply for example contract law to a horse sale — but without knowing what a pre-purchase examination is supposed to detect, what the standard of a veterinary report in this market looks like, or how disputes in this sector typically resolve, they are working blind on half the facts. Equine law disputes are full of industry-specific assumptions, customs, and standards that determine whether a claim succeeds or fails. We know the experts who appear in these cases, the governing body procedures, and the patterns of how these disputes typically unfold.
Q3: What Kind of Equine Law Cases Does Schelstraete Equine Law Handle?
Schelstraete Equine Law handles the full spectrum of legal matters arising in the equine world. Our practice is organized around the following service areas:
Contracting — We draft and negotiate equine contracts for owners, riders, trainers, and investors, covering sales, leases, co-ownership arrangements, breeding agreements, sponsorships, and international transport, with reliable protection in both national and international contexts.
Litigation — We represent clients in complex equine litigation, including international and cross-border matters, veterinary disputes, ownership conflicts, and failed transactions. Our lawyers combine legal expertise with deep industry knowledge to build strong, strategic cases.
Corporate Consultancy & Equine Sports Industry Practice — We advise equine businesses, stables, and investment structures on governance, risk management, acquisitions, and restructuring in an international context. We also provide strategic advice for equine events, series, and joint ventures, and represent private equity investors in equine sports.
Disciplinary & Doping Cases — We are a leading authority in disciplinary and doping-related matters, representing clients globally in proceedings before the FEI, CAS, HISA, and national sports bodies. We develop well-substantiated defence strategies, with additional depth provided by the experts in the field that form part of our team.
Immigration & International Mobility — We assist riders, trainers, grooms, and equestrian staff with visas, work permits, and residency procedures, ensuring timely and accurate documentation to support international competition schedules and stable operations.
Compliance — We support equine businesses in meeting their compliance obligations across animal welfare, transport regulations, anti-doping frameworks, and corporate governance.
Mediation, Family Office, Finance — We offer structured mediation services, support high-net-worth families with equine asset structuring, succession planning, and international ownership matters, and provide guidance on financial matters involving the treatment of horses.
Q4: Does Schelstraete Equine Law also Handle General Contract Disputes?
Yes. Alongside our specialist equine practice, we handle contract disputes of a more general nature, including commercial disagreements, failed negotiations, breach of contract claims, and liability questions. What sets us apart is that we bring the same accuracy and strategic thinking to these matters as we do to complex equine cases. If your dispute involves a contract – whether or not a horse is involved – we can help.
Q5: I Bought a Horse and it Turned out to Be Sick or Unsound. What Can I Do?
This is the most common situation we see, and the answer is almost never simple. What your options are depends on several questions: Was a pre-purchase examination carried out — and by whom? What did it find, and what did it miss? What representations did the seller make, in writing, verbally, or by conduct? Is there a written contract, and what does it say? Is the seller a professional trader or a private individual? Which country’s law governs the transaction?
The answers determine whether you have a claim for breach of contract, misrepresentation, or non-conformity under consumer or civil law — and what remedies are realistically available (refund, price reduction, damages). We are here to help you answer those questions, assess your position and determine a strategy on how to handle your matter.
Q6: What Makes a Horse Purchase Contract a Good Contract?
No two horse purchase contract are alike – and they should not be. A well-drafted horse purchase agreement does not merely record what was agreed; it anticipates what could go wrong and allocates the consequences in advance. A good contract can save you a lot of time, costs, and nerve should it come down to a dispute. Our lawyers are specialised in contracting and bring many years of experience to the table — they can assist you in setting up the right contract for your specific situation.
If you would like to learn more about agreements in the equine world, you might be interested in our article “What to Consider When Making Equine Agreements: Verbal Contracts, Evidence, and Cross-Border Risk”.
Q7: My Horse has Tested Positive for a Prohibited Substance. What Do I Do?
A positive doping finding triggers a formal process under the rules of the relevant governing body — the FEI, a national federation, or both — and the consequences can include competition bans, disqualification of results, and reputational damage. The process has strict procedural timelines, and how you respond in the early stages matters enormously. We advise on the procedural rules, help you understand the basis of the finding, and represent you before federations and, where necessary, before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Q8: Does Schelstraete Equine Law Work on International Cases?
Yes — and this is where specialist knowledge matters most. A horse purchased in the Netherlands by a Belgian buyer, stabled in Germany, and competed under FEI rules involves at least three legal systems and one international regulatory framework before a single question has been asked. We are experienced in cross-border transactions and disputes, including applicable law analysis, international jurisdiction, and proceedings before international bodies such as the FEI Tribunal and CAS.
Q9: Why Does Industry Experience Matter in Equine Law?
Equine law is about far more than legal knowledge alone. To advise and represent clients effectively in this world, you need to understand how the equestrian sector operates in practice.
Our team is deeply rooted in the equine industry. Several of our lawyers and paralegals are active equestrians who understand the realities of the sport from firsthand experience. In addition, we have an in-house veterinarian, enabling us to better understand and assess veterinary issues that frequently arise in horse transactions and disputes.
Our founder and managing partner, Luc Schelstraete, has developed numerous successful international dressage horses through Schelstraete Dressage, giving him decades of practical experience in the international horse trade and elite sport. Our mediator and paralegal Charlotte van der Steen is also actively involved in developing dressage horses and is a dressage judge, bringing valuable practical insight to negotiations and conflict resolution.
This combination of legal expertise and genuine industry experience allows us to understand not only the legal framework, but also the commercial realities, customs, and technical aspects of the equine sector.
How Can We Help You?
Schelstraete Equine Law provides strategic legal advice and representation in a wide range of matters. If you are facing a dispute, our team of lawyers is ready to assist you with tailored, result-driven solutions that protect your business and reputation. Contact us today to see how we can assist you.
