Horse purchase disputes and the Consumer Rights Act: What you need to know
If you have purchased a ‘faulty’ horse it is important to act without delay to avoid losing or reducing the available remedies.
Equine Law
Veterinary negligence claims: Specialist legal advice for horse owners
You may be able to pursue a professional negligence claim against an equine veterinarian in the UK where their care fell below the standard expected of a reasonably competent vet and this directly resulted in financial loss.
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Expert legal support when a vet's error causes unnecessary damage to your horse
When veterinary care falls below the expected standard
Horse owners put their trust in the veterinary professionals looking after their horses. Most vets carry out their work with skill and care for the horses they look after. Unfortunately, when something goes wrong and a vet’s conduct or advice falls short of the standard a competent vet should meet, the consequences for a horse owner can be devastating and expensive. Our equine legal specialists help owners understand whether they have a claim and guide them through the process of pursuing one.
"Personable, professional, accurate and clear in their communications." Legal 500 2027
Practical advice tailored to the equestrian world
We know that a horse is rarely “just” an asset. It may be a competition partner you’ve spent years producing, a breeding investment, or simply a much-loved family pony. When veterinary treatment goes wrong, owners are faced with grief, financial loss and, in some circumstances, uncertainty about their legal position.
Our solicitors combine specialist knowledge of equine and professional negligence law with genuine understanding of the equestrian world. We know how veterinary practices operate and what “reasonable care” looks like in an equine context.
What is veterinary negligence?
Veterinary negligence occurs when a vet fails to exercise the skill and care reasonably expected of a competent veterinary professional in the circumstances, and that breach causes the owner to suffer a loss.
Not every disappointing outcome amounts to negligence. Medicine, equine or otherwise, carries inherent risk and a vet is not liable simply because treatment was not successful. A professional negligence claim requires evidence that the vet’s conduct fell below the accepted professional standard and that this failure caused the harm.
Common examples of veterinary negligence in equine cases include:
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of conditions such as colic, laminitis, or lameness where earlier or correct diagnosis would likely have led to a better outcome.
- Errors during surgery or sedation, including avoidable complications or inadequate post-operative care.
- Failure to recommend referral to an appropriate specialist or equine hospital where a reasonably competent vet would have done so.
- Inadequate pre-purchase vetting, where a condition that should reasonably have been detected was missed, leading to a horse being bought (or sold) on a false understanding of its soundness and general health.
- Medication errors, including incorrect dosing, drug interactions, failure to account for a horse’s known sensitivities, or the incorrect administration of intravenous medication, resulting in avoidable injury, illness or complications.
- Failure to obtain informed consent, including failure to explain significant treatment risks, alternative treatment options, likely prognosis, or costs implications before treatment is undertaken.
How to make a veterinary negligence claim
Pursuing a claim can feel daunting, particularly while you’re also coping with the loss of, or serious injury to, a horse. In broad terms, the process involves:
- Initial assessment. We review what happened, the treatment records, and your account of events to form an early view on whether the case has reasonable prospects of success.
- Obtaining records. Veterinary practices are generally expected to provide copies of relevant clinical records on request, usually subject to payment of a reasonable administrative fee. We handle this on your behalf.
- Independent expert evidence. Because these claims turn on professional standards, an independent expert vet reviews the records to assess whether the treatment fell below the standard reasonably expected.
- Notifying the vet or their insurer. A formal Letter of Claim sets out the allegations and the losses being claimed, giving the other side an opportunity to respond.
- Negotiation or litigation. Many veterinary negligence claims are resolved through negotiation once liability and losses are properly evidenced. Where agreement can’t be reached, we can pursue the claim through court proceedings.
Time limits matter
Claims for veterinary negligence are generally subject to a strict limitation period, and acting promptly is essential to protect your legal position. If you think you may have a claim, don’t delay before seeking advice.
What can be claimed
Depending on the circumstances, a successful claim may recover the horse’s value or reduction in value, veterinary and remedial treatment costs, loss of earnings (for competition or breeding horses), and, in some cases, associated costs such as livery yard fees incurred as a direct result of the negligence.
How we can help
Our equine law solicitors can act for horse owners, syndicates and equestrian businesses in pursuing veterinary negligence claims across the UK. We can:
- Give you a clear, honest early assessment of whether you have a claim and its merits
- Instruct suitable independent veterinary experts in the relevant field
- Handle all correspondence with the vet, practice, or their insurer on your behalf
- Negotiate a settlement or represent you through court proceedings
- Support you sensitively throughout, recognising that these cases are rarely just financial
We combine specialist professional negligence expertise with a genuine understanding of the equestrian world, so you’re not left explaining the basics of horse ownership to your own solicitor.
Legal and financial advice under one roof
Tees is a top-tier Legal 500 firm offering joined-up legal and financial services. We have our own independent financial advisers (IFAs), who work closely with our lawyers.
Our advisers provide holistic financial planning and as we are not connected to any one provider, we can offer a whole-of-market approach for the range of products we can advise on. We can also give independent advice for a whole range of insurance products to protect you and your family. Our IFAs are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we’re accountable for the advice we give.
Get in touch today, we’re here to help
Our clients include private horse owners, from those with significant investments in their horses to those with more straightforward needs. We understand the emotional and financial impact that veterinary negligence can have and provide specialist legal advice tailored to each client’s circumstances.
We have offices across Cambridgeshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, but we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
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