Can I be sued if a trainer gets hurt while riding my horse in Arizona?

Question

In Arizona, I own a horse that is not fully broken, and a trainer is working with my horse, both doing groundwork and riding it. The trainer has equine insurance and is performing the training at a boarding facility where they have signed a liability waiver with the facility owner. All communication between the trainer and me has been via email or text. If the trainer gets injured or dies while working with my horse, can I be sued if I haven't had them sign a liability waiver directly with me?

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Yes, there’s still a chance you could be sued, even if the trainer has equine insurance and signed a waiver with the boarding facility. In Arizona, horse owners can sometimes be held liable for injuries if it's believed they acted negligently or failed to warn about a known danger. The fact that your horse isn’t fully broken adds risk, and without a direct liability waiver between you and the trainer, that protection may not fully extend to you. 
 
However, your case is strengthened by the fact that the trainer is a professional and knowingly working with a horse that isn’t fully trained. Courts often consider the experience level of the injured person and whether they accepted the risks involved. Email and text communications showing that the trainer understood the horse’s condition and willingly took on the training are helpful and should be saved. 
 
To protect yourself going forward, it would be wise to have the trainer sign a separate waiver that names you directly. That added layer makes it clearer that both parties understood the risks and agreed not to hold each other liable. In the end, lawsuits can happen even when you're careful—but strong documentation and proactive steps can go a long way in defending yourself.

Q: Can I be sued if a trainer gets hurt while riding my horse in Arizona?