A horse bill of sale is a proof of ownership form kept by the buyer of an equine animal, serving as verification that they paid a specific amount of money to a buyer. Any type and breed of horse can be sold using this document, including those that are used for farming, riding, or competing/showing. Fields for witnesses and notarization are provided, should the buyer require further proof of the seller’s signature.

Sample
The Horse Selling Process

Sample

HORSE BILL OF SALE

1. THE PARTIES. This bill of sale was created on [MM/DD/YYYY] between a Buyer known as [BUYER NAME] with a mailing address of [BUYER MAILING ADDRESS] and a Seller known as [SELLER NAME] with a mailing address of [SELLER MAILING ADDRESS].

2. HORSE DESCRIPTION. The Buyer agrees to purchase the horse described as:

Name: [HORSE NAME] Breed: [HORSE BREED] DOB: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Gender: [HORSE GENDER] Coat Color: [HORSE COAT] Reg. Number: [REG. #]
Other: [ENTER ANY NOTES ON THE HORSE HERE]

3. PURCHASE PRICE. The Seller agrees to the sale of the above-described horse for the amount of $[SELLING PRICE].

4. HORSE HEALTH CHECK. (Check one)

☐ – The Seller agrees to allow the Buyer to inspect the horse with a third (3rd) party health expert until [MM/DD/YYYY].
☐ – The Buyer does not need a health check and is purchasing the horse “as-is”.

5. SECURITY DEPOSIT. (Check one)

☐ – The Buyer agrees to put forth a Security Deposit in the amount of $[SECURITY DEPOSIT] being credited to the purchase price on the Sale Date. The following terms/conditions are associated with the Security Deposit: [SECURITY DEPOSIT TERMS & CONDITIONS].
☐ – There is no Security Deposit, and all funds will be present on the Sale Date.

6. OTHER CLAIMS.

The Seller certifies that the horse:• Is free of any liens, debt, or encumbrances;
• That the Seller is the lawful owner of the horse with the right to sell it.

The Buyer claims that:
• They are purchasing the horse in an “as-is” condition on the Date of Sale with the right of inspecting the horse being waived or satisfied;
• They are aware of the health and safety risks of owning, riding, and caring for the horse;
• They will not hold the Seller liable for any claims after the Date of Sale in reference to the horse.

7. GOVERNING LAW. This agreement shall be bound under the laws in the State of [STATE NAME].

8. SIGNATURES. The buyer and seller agree to the above-described terms and conditions for the horse’s sale/trade/exchange.

Seller Signature: _______________________ Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Printed Name: [SELLER NAME]

Buyer Signature: _______________________ Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Printed Name: [BUYER NAME]

Witness Signature: _______________________ Date: [MM/DD/YYYY]
Printed Name: [WITNESS NAME]

The Horse-Selling Process

A horse bill of sale is used anytime a horse’s ownership changes from one person or entity to another. Even if the horse is a gift from one person or another, the one receiving the horse will need a completed bill of sale should they intend to sell or gift the horse down the line. The form is the final step in the selling process, immediately following the buyer’s payment to the seller.

See the general outline below to get an idea of how the bill of sale fits in with the horse selling process.

1. Get the Horse Ready

The horse should be taken to the vet to ensure they have all their vaccinations, their teeth are cared for, and to obtain overall pre-sale health inspection. Unless done very recently, the horse should also be reshod.

2. Determine the Horse’s Value

Age, bloodline, health, and training all play a role in how the horse should be priced. The best way for finding the approximate value of the horse is by conducting market research and looking into the sale price of similar horses online or by other means.

3. Photograph the Horse

Quality photos will go a long way in increasing the activity around the listing. For high value horses, hiring a professional is recommended. The horse should have photographs taken for each gait.

4. Gather Health / Registration Documents

Anything that shows the history of the horse can improve the selling price. Health records, proof of lineage, and registration forms are just some of the documents that should be collected.

5. Advertise

Choose one (or several) horse-selling platforms to list the horse. Having other friends who know or own horses share the listing is also recommended. A few online options for selling a horse are:

6. Speak with Potential Buyers

Respond to inquiries fast, and allow people to schedule times to come and view the horse in person. Be prepared to answer any and all questions about the horse. Before negotiating, set a mental note for the lowest price you’ll accept, and stick to it. This will prevent savvy buyers from getting a bargain price (and you losing out).

7. Agree on a Price + Complete the Bill of Sale

Once a price is agreed upon, the buyer will need to pay for the horse. Unless the owner is a professional at selling horses, they should only accept cash or a bank check to avoid getting scammed. Upon receiving the payment in full, the bill of sale can be drafted and signed by the seller and buyer.

Horse Bill of Sale Form