Planning Ahead
WHEN I DIE, MY HORSE GETS EVERYTHING! OR At least I want it taken care of!
By AJ Fudge M
ost horse owners will tell you that their horse already gets everything. After all, taking care of a horse is a
consuming and expensive process. There are boarding, feed, tack, training, shows, vet and farrier bills; the list goes on and on. And if you ride your horse competitively you are looking at multiplying that commitment by a minimum of 3-5 times. This all comes, of course, after you have purchased the horse itself. Despite the financial and lifestyle commitment, horse owners will tell you that it is well worth it, as their relationship with their horse is one of their greatest joys in life. There's nothing else quite like being a horse person. I would know, I have been one all of my life. For most owners, the horse is not only a beloved
family member, but also a major financial investment and for the truly dedicated owners, it is one of their primary financial spending priorities. The care, attention, and time devoted to the horse are akin to that devoted to a child. Given these factors, planning for your horse cannot just be an afterthought, planning is essential. Your plan must protect these valuable assets and also provide detailed provisions for their uninterrupted and continued care. Thankfully, there is a legal tool that allows you to
do just this. It is called an equine trust. The most important feature of an equine trust is
that it establishes a team of trainers, veterinarians, farriers, stable managers and others who will work together to ensure that the horse is getting the care it needs. Having that team in place is essential for the horse's care to continue uninterrupted in the event you are no longer able to provide this care on either a temporary or permanent basis. The equine trust document not only names these parties, but also
determines the role each will play when providing for the horse's care. Furthermore, the equine trust guarantees that there are immediate funds available to cover all of the expenses. The trust requires that the trust funds be used only pursuant to the trust instructions, and not for any other purpose.
Bio: AJ Fudge has been a devoted equestrian her entire life, and she focuses her practice on equine protection and planning. She also handles transactional matters for equine-related businesses and horse-owners. Over the years, AJ has owned many horses, and has trained and competed with several world-class riders. AJ
Your inability to provide this care could result from any number
of scenarios such as delayed travel plans, a car accident, prolonged illness, and in the worse case scenario, your death. Whatever the reason, it is important to have a trust in place to protect your horse's future. Sadly, with horses that are not protected by an equine trust, just about anything can happen to them which would be heartbreaking for any horse owner. The trust is also strongly recommended for a number of different reasons. First and foremost, a horse is not a like a cat or dog in that
a horse's care can be quite burdensome, complex and expensive. A trust allows the owner to create a detailed set of instructions that outline every aspect of the horse's care. These provisions can include instructions for boarding, feeding, grooming, raining, competing, shoeing, veterinary care, and anything else the horse owner wants included. In the trust document, the horse owner also names
a guardian that is responsible for implementing the trust's instructions and caring for the horse when the owner is unable to. The trust will also name a trustee to ensure that the horse's guardian is following the trust instructions. The document is actually signed by the horse's guardian thereby creating a legally binding agreement. This means that the horse's guardian cannot use his/her discretion when it comes to the care of the horse, must follow the trust document, and can only make decisions when authorized by the trust.
All in all, the equine trust is the best tool available to horse owners
when it comes to protecting their horse and providing for its care. The trust can be tailored and is flexible enough to address any unique concerns that owners might have. As a dedicated horse owner, it is up to you to protect your horse's future from any uncertainty. Your horse relies on you to give it a happy and loving home, so do not put its life in jeopardy. The unexpected always happens when you are least prepared, so
take the steps to guarantee your horse will always be safe. Contact AJ Fudge today to set-up a free consultation to learn what you can do to protect your equine friend.
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genuinely understands horse-people, and she addresses their needs with a very client-centric, hands-on approach. AJ received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, and her law degree from McGeorge University. You can contact AJ at
aj@lawofficesofajfudge.com or 323.706.2847.
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