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Breeding Agreement

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STALLION SERVICE CONTRACT

WITNESS THIS AGREEMENT this day of , 20 between hereinafter referred to as "Farm," and hereinafter referred to as "Mare Owner."

WHEREAS, Mare Owner is the owner or lessee of a certain registered mare having the registered name of with the Registry, Registration No. , foaled and stallion,

WHEREAS, Mare Owner wishes to breed said mare as above-described to the

IT IS NOW THEREFORE AGREED between the parties as follows:

Booking and Stallion Fees

(A) Mare Owner agrees to pay a non-refundable booking fee of $ to reserve a breeding for the year 20 which shall be credited against the Stallion Service Fee.

(B) For consideration of $ , excluding mare care, Farm hereby agrees to breed the stallion, as above-described to the mare belonging to Mare Owner as above-described.

(C) The full amount of the stud fee as set forth above and the accrued board, veterinary expenses, mare care, farrier expenses, and other related charges shall become due and payable prior to delivery of the mare to Mare Owner. Farm shall have a lien against the mare, any foal at side and the produce of the mating which is the subject of this Agreement until such time as any and all charges are paid in full; said lien shall survive any transfer of possession. Mare Owner agrees to pay all charges when due and should Mare Owner fail to do so, Farm shall be entitled to recover any costs, expenses and attorney's fees expended in collection. In the event collection of Owner's account is placed in the hands of an attorney, Owner agrees a minimum fee of $250.00 shall be assessed as attorney's fees.

Mare Care and Board

Mare Owner agrees to pay Farm, the sum of $ per day for dry field mares; $ per day for wet field mares; $ per day wet barn mares; and $ per day for dry barn mares. This amount will be charged per calendar day, or portion thereof, in which the mare is in the custody or control of Farm. All mare care charges, including any charges of horse- shoeing, veterinary care, or similar charges shall be due and payable prior to the return of mare to Mare Owner. In the event the above-named stallion stands at a commercial breeding and/or boarding facility, said facility will be considered an independent contractor for purposes of this agreement.

Mare Owner agrees to pay the sum of $ to have the mare foal on Farm's premises. All veterinary expenses incurred in connection therewith shall be paid by Mare Owner pursuant to the terms set forth herein.

Mare Owner hereby states that he has inspected the premises of the breeding facility, including the facilities in which the mare is to be kept and is satisfied with their condition, upkeep and safety. Mare Owner agrees that the standard of care to be imposed upon Farm is that of ordinary care of a prudent horse owner and not that of compensated Bailee.

General Conditions

This contract is a "Live Foal" contract. "Live Foal" is herein defined as a newborn foal which stands and nurses without assistance. If the foal is born dead, or if the mare does not otherwise carry to term, there shall be a return privilege for the following breeding season only if the notification procedures as set forth below are followed.

None of the above-described fees shall be refundable except as described below. However, Farm guarantees a return breeding for the following breeding season for said mare or an approved substitute should a "live foal" as above-described not result from this mating. Should this mating not produce a live foal, it must be evidenced by a written statement from a licensed veterinarian dated within one week from the date of death of the fetus, or in the alternative, a sworn statement from said veterinarian that the mare is no longer in foal and the date of fetus loss is unknown.

In the event of the death of the above-named stallion, this contract shall become null and void. No money shall be refunded to mare owner except the booking fee if the mare has not been bred. In the event of the stallion's death prior to the delivery of a live foal, the live foal guarantee as above-described shall become null and void. Should the mare die subsequent to payment of the booking fee but prior to breeding, only the booking fee will be refunded to Mare Owner. No other fees or charges are refundable except as described in this paragraph.

Mare Owner agrees to furnish a negative Coggins Test (Swamp Fever) prior to mare's arrival at the breeding farm. All mares shall be accompanied upon arrival by a health certificate indicating a current vaccination for equine influenza, tetanus, and encephalitis. Mares not accompanied by said certificate will be vaccinated shortly after arrival at Farm at the expense of Mare Owner. Mare Owner understands and agrees that upon arrival at the breeding facility, the mare will be cultured and examined by a licensed veterinarian selected by Farm, at Mare Owner's expense. Mare Owner authorizes Farm, to engage performance of such other veterinary services as Farm may deem necessary for the proper treatment, care and protection of the mare and/or foal at side. This is to be done at the Mare Owner's expense and will be billed and payable as above-described.

In the event of colic or life threatening illness of the mare, all means available will be utilized to save said mare unless otherwise instructed by Mare Owner, including surgery if recommended by the veterinarian. Mare Owner shall pay any and all costs in connection therewith.

Farm shall not be liable for any sickness, disease, estray, theft, death, or injury which may be suffered by the mare and/or foal at side, or any other cause of action whatsoever arising out of or connected in any way with the breeding or boarding of the mare and/or foal. This includes, but is not limited to, any personal injury or disability which the Mare Owner or Owners may receive while on the premises of the breeding facility, even if caused by negligence (if allowed by the laws of this State) by Farm, its representatives, agents or employees. Mare Owner fully understands that Farm does not carry any outside horses in its possession, custody or control for breeding and boarding on any public liability, accidental injury, theft or equine mortality insurance, and that all risks connected with the breeding and boarding of the mare or mares and/or foals are to be born by the Mare Owner or Owners. Farm strongly recommends equine mortality insurance be obtained applicable to the subject horse(s) by Owner. The standard of care applicable to Farm is that of ordinary care of a prudent horse owner and not as a compensated bailee. In no event shall Farm be held liable to Mare Owner for equine death or injury in an amount in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000) per animal. Mare Owner agrees to obtain equine insurance for any animals valued in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), at Mare Owner's expense, or forego any claim for amounts in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000). Mare Owner agrees to disclose this entire agreement to Mare Owner's insurance company and provide Farm with the company's name, address and policy number. Failure to disclose insurance information shall be at Mare Owner's risk.

Mares that are not halter broken and/or cannot be hobbled will not be accepted. Owner agrees to submit a completed Horse Information Sheet at least five days prior to the mare's arrival on the premises of the breeding facility. Mare Owner understands and agrees that the mare may be tranquilized for breeding purposes if deemed reasonable or necessary by Farm. Mare Owner further authorizes breeding by artificial insemination if deemed appropriate by Farm, and agrees to pay any veterinary charges arising in connection therewith. Artificial insemination may only be used if approved by the applicable breed registry.

It is understood that the breeding season for Farm commences on January 1 of the calendar year and terminates July 15 of the same calendar year. Mares who do not come into season or are not settled within said breeding season as above-described shall be carried over to the following year, or may be rebred during the following heat(s) if it is practical for Farm to do so. In the event mare owner elects to rebreed during the following breeding season, Mare Owner agrees to pay any increase in the stallion service fee or mare care fee.

In the event Mare Owner does not leave the mare at the breeding facility for thirty-five days following last breeding for purposes of a pregnancy test, mare owner assumes all responsibility for pregnancy testing. Mare owner agrees to have said mare pregnancy checked within forty-five days from the date of last breeding and provide said information to Farm within five days from the date of said pregnancy check. Failure to provide said information waives the live foal guarantee although Mare Owner shall have a guaranteed right to rebreed the following breeding season at the rate set for said breeding season.

Sale of the mare by Mare Owner to another party or parties will terminate the live foal guarantee as set forth above and described in this contract unless same is acknowledged and accepted in writing by Farm.

Inherent Risks and Assumption of Risk. The undersigned acknowledges there are inherent risks associated with equine activities such as described below, and hereby expressly assumes all risks associated with participating in such activities. The inherent risks include, but are not limited to the propensity of equines to behave in ways such as, running, bucking, biting, kicking, shying, stumbling, rearing, falling or stepping on, that may result in an injury, harm or death to persons on or around them; the unpredictability of equine's reaction to such things as sounds, sudden movement and unfamiliar objects, persons or other animals; certain hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions; collisions with other animals; the limited availability of emergency medical care; and the potential of a participant to act in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, such as failing to maintain control over the animal or not acting within such participant's ability.

WARNING

You are advised that there are inherent risks, including the risk of serious injury or death, while engaging in equine activities. By engaging in equine activities and in accordance with the terms of this agreement you hereby assume all risks of injury or death.

This contract represents the entire agreement between the parties. No other agreements, promises, or representations, verbal or implied, are included herein unless specifically stated in this written agreement. This contract is made and entered into in the State of , and shall be enforced and interpreted in accordance with the laws of said State.

In the event one or more parts of this contract are found to be unenforceable or illegal, the other portions hereof shall be deemed in full force and effect.

Additional agreements should be separately initialed by each party. If none, check here .

FARM NAME

By

MARE OWNER

©2017 - Cottonwood Equestrian Publications

Enter text

What a Breeding Agreement Covers

A Breeding Agreement is a written contract that sets the legal and practical terms between the owner of a dam or brood and the owner of a sire for a planned mating. Typical provisions define parties, mating and whelping windows, stud fees or consideration, health and genetic testing requirements, registration and transfer obligations, live-birth or pregnancy guarantees, payment and escrow arrangements, and allocation of offspring. The agreement clarifies responsibilities for veterinary care, boarding, microchipping/registration, and dispute resolution to reduce ambiguity and support enforcement if a dispute arises.

Why a Formal Breeding Agreement Matters

A clear Breeding Agreement reduces disputes, documents health and testing obligations, protects breeder and owner rights, and records payment/registration terms. It helps establish enforceable expectations for live-birth guarantees, transfer of offspring, and remedies for nonperformance while creating an auditable written record for registration bodies or courts.

Why a Formal Breeding Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs These Agreements

Breeding Agreements are used by professional breeders, private owners, and service providers who arrange mating services or board animals.

  • Professional breeders and kennels managing stud services and litter placement with documented fees and guarantees.
  • Individual owners contracting stud or insemination services who need clear timing, testing, and ownership transfer terms.
  • Veterinary clinics and reproductive specialists who provide insemination, testing, or storage and require liability and payment clauses.

Typical Signatories and Their Roles

Professional Breeder — Owner/Operator

A breeder who offers stud services or accepts a dam for breeding. Responsible for providing accurate pedigree and health records, scheduling breeding windows, collecting stud fees, and ensuring compliance with registration body rules. Often requires proof of ownership and sterilization/vaccination records.

Private Owner — Dam Custodian

An individual owner who places a dam for breeding or arranges a mating. Responsible for timely presentation for mating, required health tests, payment of agreed fees, and acceptance of any live-birth or litter disposition terms in the agreement.

Essential Clauses to Include

A professional Breeding Agreement organizes obligations into discrete clauses so each party’s expectations are enforceable and auditable.

Parties

Identify legal names, addresses, and roles for owner of sire and owner of dam; include contact details and agent authorization if signing for an entity.

Consideration

State stud fee, payment schedule, escrow or lien arrangements, plus any payment tied to pregnancy, live-birth, or registration events.

Health Warranties

List required health and genetic tests with acceptable timing and documentation; specify remedies for undisclosed disease or failed tests.

Breeding Window

Specify mating dates, method (natural vs. AI), number of attempts, and procedures for unsuccessful cycles or rebreeding.

Offspring Rights

Define registration, ownership of individual pups/foals, litter disposition, and any first-refusal or buy-back clauses.

Liability & Disputes

Allocate responsibility for veterinary care, specify governing law, and include dispute resolution such as mediation or arbitration.

Step-by-Step: Filling and Executing a Breeding Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to ensure the agreement is complete, enforceable, and retained properly.

  • 01
    Draft Terms: Define parties, fees, health requirements, and outcomes.
  • 02
    Confirm Tests: Obtain and attach required veterinary test results before mating.
  • 03
    Sign & Date: All parties sign with printed name and date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
  • 04
    Distribute Copies: Provide signed PDFs to all parties and registry as required.

Typical Online Execution Flow

Digital workflows make execution faster while preserving an audit trail and copies for registration authorities.

  • Upload Document: Host the agreement as PDF or DOCX in the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, date, and initial fields for all signers.
  • Assign Signers: Enter emails and set signing order if sequential signing is required.
  • Complete Signing: Signer authenticates, signs, and receives signed copies plus an audit trail.

Recommended Signing Platform Settings

Configure signing options to match the agreement’s risk profile and verification needs.

Field Configuration
Authentication Email link or SMS code for signer verification
Signature Order Sequential for conditional obligations, simultaneous for mutual consent
Reminders Auto-reminders at 3 and 7 days for pending signatures
Storage Export signed PDF/A to secure document vault

Platform Requirements for Secure eSigning

Choose a platform that provides an audit trail, secure storage, and appropriate signer authentication.

  • Audit Trail: Timestamped record of signature events
  • Encryption: TLS in transit; AES-256 at rest
  • File Support: PDF and DOCX import/export

Security and Compliance Considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
Audit Trail: Signed event log and IP timestamp
HIPAA: BAA available if human health data involved
ESIGN / UETA: Meets ESIGN and UETA standards
21 CFR Part 11: Available for regulated records
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001

Risks If the Agreement Is Incorrect or Incomplete

Unenforceable Terms: Ambiguity may make key clauses void
Lost Fees: Payment terms unclear risk nonpayment
Registration Refusal: Incomplete ownership data can block registry filing
Health Liability: Undisclosed conditions increase veterinary disputes
Breach Claims: Disputed guarantees can lead to litigation
Evidence Gaps: Missing signatures or dates weaken legal proof

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to require pre-breeding health tests or not specifying acceptable timeframes creates preventable disputes about offspring health.
  • Using vague consideration language such as 'reasonable fee' instead of a fixed dollar amount or clear contingency increases enforcement difficulty.
  • Neglecting to document who pays for boarding or veterinary costs during pregnancy often causes late disputes and collection problems.
  • Allowing unsigned or initialed copies to circulate without final signatures can create conflicting versions and evidentiary gaps.

Typical Deadlines and Timing Expectations

Breeding agreements include multiple timing windows that affect performance, testing, and registration steps—track these dates carefully.

Signing Deadline:

Execute before any breeding activity begins

Breeding Window:

Specify mating start and end dates for the planned cycle

Health Test Timing:

Require tests within a defined period (e.g., 30 days) pre-breeding

Registration Filing:

File registration or litter application within registry timelines

Payment Due Date:

Tie payment to invoice date, pregnancy confirmation, or live birth as agreed

Key Milestones from Agreement to Offspring Transfer

A sequential milestone view helps parties monitor obligations from contract signing through offspring transfer or registration.

01

Agreement Execution

All parties sign and date; deposits paid if required

02

Pre-Breeding Tests

Required health tests completed and results shared

03

Mating Attempts

Breeding performed during the agreed window

04

Offspring Disposition

Registration, transfer, and final payments completed

Real-World Use Examples

Organizations across industries use e-signature workflows to execute breeding-related contracts quickly and maintain secure records.

Optica Ventures — Brian Fitzgibbons

A small operations team moved contracts online to reduce administrative overhead and inconsistencies.

  • Reduced turnaround and clearer audit records enabled faster scheduling.
  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use for our team; more importantly, it is just as easy for our customers."

Martin Properties — Tim Martin

A field-based operator needed mobile signing to finalize service agreements without in-person meetings.

  • Mobile and offline signing minimized delays on-site and improved client satisfaction.
  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance and built-in security. Whether on mobile or working offline, I can get forms back to their necessary parties efficiently."

Comparison: eSignature Providers for Breeding Agreements

Common feature and pricing comparisons for eSignature providers that support contract workflows and secure recordkeeping; signNow appears first for vendor parity.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial, no credit card Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor Varies by vendor
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions about Breeding Agreements

Answers to common legal and execution questions for Breeding Agreements, including electronic signing, notarization, retention, and amendment rules.


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