You’d need insurance, for starters… otherwise any injuries to humans or horses on your property would fall on your shoulders to pay for. I don’t think there are any laws regarding what knowledge or training you have to have in order to board. Why don’t you try calling animal control or the department of agriculture ?

I would contact the Sweet Grass County Extension service and the state about what is needed to start a Horse Boarding BUSINESS! After all, your are going to start it for the money, right?!

One thing you are going to find, is that you will probably need to keep at least $1 million worth of liability insurance coverage.

Another source is to go to your local library and look for books on Equine Law for Montana, or “The Equine Legal Handbook”, or “Understanding Equine Law”, for starters.

I would draw up a generic boarding contract/lease for each boarder to sign, but I would take it to my attorney first to make sure all the clauses regarding injury, etc. are attached. Also, I would put a clause in about NO DOGS on premises….

This is just the tip of the ice berg. Good luck!

To start, check with the county zoning department to see if your property zoning allows for operating a boarding facility. Also check for the maximum number of horses allowed per acre. Any building construction or rehabs may require county permits, so check with the permits dept. before construction. Check fencing ordinances and waste management as well. the county may have restrictions on what you can do with manure. Also check on nuisance laws, which involve your neighbor’s rights. Drainage issues when keeping horses out on pastures can be a problem if the runoff to lower lands is contaminated by the manure, and that comes under state and county drainage law. Insurance liability you can discuss with an insurance agent, but also get attorney advice on equine liability in your area. Also get an attorney to assist in drafting a boarding contract, and formulate barn rules that are included in the contract agreement, and posted in the barn. Good luck…I hope this doesn’t scare you off.