Now in the second year of a global pandemic, many of us are looking for healthy ways to cope with stress and grief—myself included. And while I am no medical professional, I can tell you that our horses here at Almost Heaven Vanners provide health benefits that no therapist or physician could quantify.

Many people with hobbies related to horses will tell you that their involvement often extends a bit deeper than the term “pastime” would suggest. For most of us, our equine endeavors are as central to who we are and the lifestyle we live as any other aspects of our lives. It’s human nature to want to marry your passion and occupation into one blissful union, and it’s not uncommon for horse people to start wondering, “How can I make money with horses?” Starting a horse business, though, should involve extensive evaluation of your goals and serious business planning. There is some truth to the old joke, which asks: “How do I make $1 million in the horse business?” Of course, the old answer is “Start with $3 million.” Ha.

As I sit at my computer on this frozen February day, with our fields iced over and the horses sporting winter blankets, it is hard to believe that the sun and warm temperatures will ever return to our little corner of West Virginia (WV). But they eventually will, and I must admit that, despite the ice storm gripping the nation, I already have spring horse fever. Due to this affliction, I finally ordered the trail saddle I have been talking about for two years, and I am trying to schedule dates for trail rides and horse shows.

When I tell people that I am an equine attorney, they seem incredulous that "equine law" is a field of practice. The first question I get is, "Really? What is it that you DO?" The answer is, I help horse owners and equine entrepreneurs protect the operations they have built as labors of love.

I get asked all the time: why do I need commercial liability insurance for my equine business? Savvy business owners know that Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the majority of all other nearby states have an equine “shield” law that essentially says horseback riders ride at their own risk. But that does not completely protect your equine investment.

Use horse sense—get sound legal advice before buying or selling a horse. Attorney Allison J. Farrell explains.

A horseback riding accident can happen in the blink of an eye. One moment, you are happily trotting down a trail. The next moment, you are flying head first into the unforgiving trunk of a tree. What the heck just happened?