What Is a Horse Bill of Sale?
A horse bill of sale is a legal document that proves the transfer of horse ownership from a seller to a buyer. It also records the purchase details, including the horse description, parties involved, transfer date, and sale price.
A horse equine bill of sale offers solid proof of ownership when it is gifted, traded, or sold. With evidence of the transaction, the buyer and seller can resolve disputes over:
- Ownership
- Payment
- The horse’s condition at the time of sale
The buyer can use it to register the horse with breed registries, prove ownership for insurance purposes, or establish value for estate reasons.
State-Specific Requirements for Horse Bills of Sale
Under § 2-201 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), which has been adopted as the law in all 50 states, parties must use a written bill of sale to sell any goods, including horses, when the price is more than $500. There are also state-specific requirements to consider:
California (CA Bus & Prof Code § 19525)
- Requires a bill of sale for any horse purchase
- An agent can only receive compensation of more than $500 if they disclose the transfer to the principals for whom they’re acting
Florida (FL Admin. Code Ann. R. 5H-26.004)
- Requires a bill of sale for any horse purchase
- Dictates certain elements to be included in the document
- Requires the disclosure of specific medical conditions (FL Stat § 535.16)
Kentucky (KY Rev Stat § 230.357)
- Requires a bill of sale for any purchase of a show horse over $10,000
- Has additional requirements for agent compensation over $500
Before writing a bill of sale, check your state’s laws to ensure compliance.
How to Write a Bill of Sale for a Horse
A complete bill of sale for a horse contains key details to document the sale and show the horse’s ownership changed hands. Below, you can view the horse bill of sale requirements to meet as you write yours:
- Seller: Write the name of the person who owns the horse being sold.
- Buyer: Identify the person buying the horse or becoming the new owner.
- Description of the horse: List the horse’s name, breed, sex, coat color (bay/chestnut/gray), height, markings, and tattoos. Give additional details if needed.
- Breeding information: Provide the horse’s date of birth and registration number. Also, list the dam’s (mother’s) and sire’s (father’s) names and registration numbers.
- Purchase price: State the purchase price and payment method for the horse. You may also include agreed-upon payment terms, such as a deposit or installment payments. Indicate whether the sales tax is included in the price.
- Veterinary exam: Clarify whether a vet performed an exam on the horse before the sale. This exam can reveal important information about the horse’s medical history that could influence the sale.
- Warranties: Include whether the seller will make guarantees, like treating an ailment before finalizing the sale. The horse bill of sale can also be “as-is,” meaning the horse comes in its current condition.
- Date of sale: List the date that the sale will take place.
Does a Horse Bill of Sale Need to be Notarized?
In most cases, no, a horse bill of sale does not need to be notarized. You may have the parties sign it before a notary public for added validity.
Sample Bill of Sale for a Horse
Wondering what a horse bill of sale looks like? View a sample document below. When you’re ready, you can fill out our printable horse bill of sale form. Available to download in PDF or Word format.
