Essential Barn Safety and Liability Signage for Horse Owners

Inherently, working with horses has its risks. While the majority of the time we simply get to feel all the emotions about actually teaching, working with, or keeping them, it’s important we cover ourselves for the possibility of any one of those prospective risks by having some key signs and information around the farm. Failing to address barn safety and liability could lead to accidents, legal troubles, or even insurance complications, leaving you and your business exposed. By installing the right signs in key locations, you not only protect yourself legally but also create a safer environment for everyone involved.

State-Required Equine Liability Signs

Many states, including my home state of Oregon, require commercial barns to post an equine liability sign in a highly visible area at the facility. The sign language is often specific to the state but generally notifies riders and visitors that horseback riding and activities with horses hold inherent risks, protecting your barn or farm from liability.

Barn rules signage listing safety guidelines, including no alcohol, proper footwear, and helmet requirements.

Even if your state doesn’t require it, many insurance companies do. It’s worth the extra bit of effort to ensure you sail through getting insurance coverage without any snags.

I bought the sign featured above for Little Bird Farm from My Safety Sign and posted it next to the entrance to my arena on the gate latch side, so it’s easily visible to anyone using the arena or watching someone use it.

Custom Barn Rules Sign

While covering yourself from a liability standpoint is important, (imho) equally as important is a sign with your top barn rules. Most insurance companies will require this one, too, and it’s good to have a highly visible reminder you can point to as a warning or if something goes wrong when someone isn’t following one of the rules at your barn.

A few key rules to include for all farms/barns/stables for the safety of you, your horses, and your riders/guests:

No alcohol, smoking or roughhousing is allowed
No pets allowed (check your insurance; some specify that dogs not belonging on the farm may visit during commercial hours)
Close all gates and stall doors
Proper shoes are required
Riders under 18 must wear a ASTM/SEI certified helmet
All riders (or guardians) must sign a release form before riding

Emergency Contact Information Cards

This one isn’t liability related but it’s just as important. We keep an emergency information card in our tack space next to the riding helmets (which is also where the first aid kit is). It includes key information that can be helpful to emergency services in, well, an emergency.

Ours covers:

Farm Owners & Address
The county our farm is in (especially if you’re on the edge of a county as calling 911 could direct you into either county depending on which cell phone tower is pinged)
Emergency Number: 911
County Non-Emergency Numbers

Additional Signage to Consider

If you are not the sole caretaker at your facility, there are other key pieces of information that should be easily visible to employees and visitors:

Horses' names, feed schedule and restrictions, owner contact info, and vet and/or farrier contact info
Emergency vet number(s)
Farrier number(s)
Your cell phone number
The barn owner's or manager's cell phone number if that's not you

Barn safety and liability signage is a small investment that provides significant peace of mind. From protecting yourself legally to ensuring your barn runs smoothly, the right signs make all the difference. What barn rules have you found most effective at keeping your barn safe? Ready to make your barn safer? Start by assessing your signage needs and ordering your state’s liability signs today!

Happy Riding!