Terms & Conditions
1. General Terms
1.1 Initial Consultation
All new clients must complete a free initial consultation before any booking is confirmed. This allows Harris Hounds to understand your pet’s needs and ensure suitability of services. A registration form must be completed, and by doing so, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.
1.2 Confidentiality & Data Protection
Harris Hounds treats all client information as strictly confidential. Personal details will never be shared with third parties, except where required in an emergency or by law.
1.3 Identification
All dogs must be microchipped in accordance with UK law.
1.4 Insurance
Harris Hounds holds appropriate business insurance. Owners are responsible for ensuring their dogs are adequately insured, including third-party liability.
1.5 Health & Medical Disclosure
Owners must inform Harris Hounds of any medical conditions, behavioural issues, ongoing treatments, or health concerns prior to the first service and keep this information up to date.
1.6 Emergency Care
Clients must provide an emergency contact and details of their registered veterinary practice.
In the event of an emergency, Harris Hounds will:
Attempt to contact the owner and emergency contact
Seek veterinary advice or treatment where necessary
If your usual vet is unavailable, Harris Hounds reserves the right to contact an alternative veterinary practice. All veterinary costs remain the responsibility of the owner.
1.7 Duty of Care
Harris Hounds will take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all animals in its care. However, animals will be walked and handled at the owner’s risk. Harris Hounds cannot be held liable for illness, injury, loss, or damage to animals, property, or third parties unless caused by proven negligence.
1.8 Incidents & Liability
Any incidents, injuries, or notable behavioural changes will be reported to the owner as soon as possible. The owner accepts full responsibility for any damage or injury caused by their pet to people, property, or other animals.
1.9 Behaviour & Temperament
Owners must disclose any history of aggression or problematic behaviour. Harris Hounds reserves the right to refuse or terminate services if a pet poses a risk to people or other animals.
1.10 Allergies & Special Requirements
Owners must inform Harris Hounds of any allergies, sensitivities, dietary needs, or special care requirements.
1.11 Payment Terms
Invoices will be issued by Harris Hounds and must be paid within 7 days unless otherwise agreed.
1.12 Cancellations
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for cancellations. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice will be charged in full.
1.13 Marketing & Photography
Harris Hounds may take photographs of pets for use on social media or promotional materials. Consent will be discussed during the initial consultation, and clients may opt out at any time.
2. Dog Walking Services
2.1 Health Requirements
All dogs must be up to date with vaccinations, flea treatments, tick prevention, and worming.
2.2 Off-Lead Walking
Dogs will only be walked off-lead with the owner’s written consent. Owners accept full responsibility for any risks associated with off-lead exercise.
2.3 Weather & Welfare
Harris Hounds will use professional judgement regarding weather and environmental conditions. Walks may be shortened, modified, or rescheduled in extreme conditions (e.g. heat, ice, storms) to protect the dog’s welfare.
2.4 Transportation
All dogs transported by Harris Hounds will be safely secured using appropriate restraints or crates in accordance with UK safety guidelines.
2.5 Equipment & Supplies
Owners must provide suitable collars, harnesses, leads, food, and any required medication. All equipment must be safe, secure, and in good condition.
3. Agreement
By completing the registration form and using Harris Hounds’ services, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.
Equine Care – Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions apply to all equine care services provided by Harris Hounds, including turnout, bringing in, feeding, mucking out, holiday care, yard duties, grooming, medication administration and other agreed services.
By confirming a booking, the client agrees to these terms and conditions, together with any individual care instructions and quotation agreed in writing.
1. Bookings & Initial Assessment
1.1. All new equine care clients are required to arrange an initial consultation at the yard before services commence, unless otherwise agreed.
1.2. The purpose of this meeting is to assess the horses' individual requirements, handling, temperament, facilities, routines and any relevant safety considerations.
1.3. Harris Hounds reserves the right to decline or discontinue services where a horse's behaviour, health requirements, facilities or circumstances present an unacceptable risk to the horse, handler or others.
1.4. Bookings are subject to availability and are only confirmed once Harris Hounds has accepted the booking in writing.
1.5. Any changes to the agreed services must be discussed and approved in advance. Additional work may incur further charges.
2. Client Responsibilities
2.1. Clients must provide complete, accurate and up-to-date information about each horse, including:
Name, age and relevant identification details
Normal feeding, turnout and stable routine
Temperament, handling requirements and known behavioural issues
Relevant medical history, allergies and ongoing health conditions
Medication requirements and veterinary instructions
Veterinary practice and emergency contact details
Farrier details, where relevant
Equine insurance information, where applicable
Emergency decision-making arrangements
2.2. Clients must disclose any known history of dangerous or unpredictable behaviour, including biting, kicking, rearing, bolting, pulling away or difficulty being caught.
2.3. Clients are responsible for ensuring that suitable feed, forage, bedding, medication, equipment and other necessary supplies are available throughout the booking.
2.4. The client must ensure that stables, paddocks, fencing, gates, lighting, water supplies and handling areas are reasonably safe and suitable for the agreed services.
2.5. Clients must notify Harris Hounds promptly of any changes affecting their horse's health, behaviour, routine or care requirements.
2.6. The client must ensure that Harris Hounds has permission to access the yard and use the facilities and equipment required to carry out the agreed duties.
3. Access & Equipment
3.1. Clients must provide reliable access to the yard, stables, fields, feed rooms and other necessary areas.
3.2. Where keys, access codes or security instructions are required, these must be supplied before the booking begins.
3.3. Clients must provide safe, appropriately fitting and serviceable equipment, including headcollars, lead ropes, rugs, grooming equipment and mucking-out tools as required.
3.4. Harris Hounds may refuse to use equipment or facilities considered unsafe.
3.5. Where access cannot be gained because of incorrect instructions, faulty locks or other circumstances outside our control, the booked visit may still be chargeable, provided reasonable efforts have been made to contact the client and resolve the issue.
4. Care & Handling
4.1. Harris Hounds will provide all agreed services with reasonable care and skill, taking account of the horse's individual needs and the instructions supplied by the client.
4.2. Every reasonable effort will be made to maintain the horse's established routine. However, minor adjustments may be necessary because of weather, welfare considerations, safety or unforeseen circumstances.
4.3. Harris Hounds reserves the right to modify, delay or decline an activity where it would be unsafe or contrary to the horse's welfare.
4.4. Horses will not be ridden, lunged, exercised or transported unless this has been specifically agreed in advance and appropriate insurance arrangements are in place.
4.5. Horses will not be turned out together, separated from companions or moved to different fields without the client's prior instructions, except where reasonably necessary to protect welfare or safety.
4.6. Clients acknowledge that horses can behave unpredictably and that equine handling involves inherent risks, which cannot be eliminated entirely.
5. Veterinary Emergencies & Illness
5.1. Clients must provide the contact details of their preferred veterinary practice and at least one emergency contact who can make decisions in their absence.
5.2. If a horse becomes unwell, injured or shows signs of distress, Harris Hounds will take reasonable steps to contact the client and, where appropriate, the nominated veterinary practice.
5.3. Where urgent veterinary attention is reasonably considered necessary and the client cannot be contacted promptly, the client authorises Harris Hounds to contact a veterinary surgeon and arrange an assessment or necessary emergency care in the horse's best interests.
5.4. Veterinary diagnosis and treatment decisions remain the responsibility of the attending veterinary surgeon and, wherever possible, the horse's owner or authorised representative.
5.5. Clients remain responsible for veterinary fees, treatment, medication, transport and other reasonable third-party costs incurred for their horse, except where those costs arise from Harris Hounds' negligence or breach of contract.
5.6. Harris Hounds will not arrange elective treatment or make non-urgent veterinary decisions without the owner's authorisation.
5.7. Clients must disclose any known medical conditions or special care requirements before the booking commences.
6. Medication Administration
6.1. Routine medication may be administered by prior agreement, subject to the nature of the medication, the horse's behaviour and the provider's competence and insurance arrangements.
6.2. Clients must provide clear written instructions detailing the medication, dose, route, frequency and any relevant veterinary directions.
6.3. All medication must be appropriately labelled, stored and supplied by the client.
6.4. Harris Hounds reserves the right to decline medication administration where the procedure requires specialist veterinary intervention, presents an unacceptable risk or falls outside the services agreed.
6.5. Additional charges may apply for medication administration or specialist care.
7. Holiday Care & Overnight Responsibility
7.1. Equine holiday care consists of the specific visits and duties agreed at the time of booking.
7.2. Unless expressly agreed otherwise, Harris Hounds does not provide overnight supervision, continuous on-site attendance or 24-hour monitoring.
7.3. The client remains responsible for arranging any additional supervision required outside the booked visit times.
7.4. Clients must provide a reliable emergency contact who is available throughout their absence and can attend the yard if necessary.
7.5. If a client's return is delayed, they must contact Harris Hounds as soon as possible. Additional visits will be subject to availability and charged accordingly.
7.6. Harris Hounds cannot guarantee availability beyond the original booking period.
8. Prices & Payment
8.1. Prices are based on the services agreed, number of horses, duration of visits, location and any additional care requirements.
8.2. A minimum visit charge of £10 applies unless otherwise agreed.
8.3. Travel, bank holiday, emergency or specialist-care surcharges will be communicated before booking wherever reasonably possible.
8.4. For holiday bookings, a 25% deposit may be requested to secure the dates. Any deposit amount and payment deadline will be confirmed in writing before the booking is accepted.
8.5. Unless otherwise agreed, the outstanding balance for holiday care is payable seven days before the first booked visit.
8.6. Regular or occasional yard-care services will normally be invoiced after completion, with payment due within seven days of the invoice date.
8.7. Any additional services requested and agreed during a booking will be invoiced separately.
8.8. Any applicable statutory cancellation rights remain unaffected by these payment terms.
9. Cancellations & Changes
9.1. Clients are asked to provide as much notice as possible when cancelling or changing a booking.
9.2. For occasional individual visits, cancellations made with at least 24 hours' notice will not normally incur a charge.
9.3. Where less than 24 hours' notice is given, Harris Hounds may charge up to the full agreed visit fee, where reasonable in the circumstances.
9.4. For pre-booked holiday care, the following cancellation charges are proposed:
More than 14 days before the first visit: no cancellation charge
7–14 days before the first visit: up to 25% of the booking value
48 hours to 6 days before the first visit: up to 50% of the booking value
Less than 48 hours before the first visit: up to 75% of the booking value
9.5. Any cancellation charge will be reasonable and proportionate, taking account of costs incurred, work already carried out, the likelihood of replacing the booking and any costs saved as a result of cancellation. Deposits already paid will be credited against any amount properly due.
9.6. Where a client returns early or no longer requires some booked visits, any applicable cancellation charge will be assessed on the same basis.
9.7. If Harris Hounds must cancel because of illness, injury, emergency or circumstances outside reasonable control, the client will be informed as soon as reasonably possible.
9.8. Where Harris Hounds cancels a service, payment for visits not provided will be refunded. Harris Hounds will make reasonable efforts to assist with alternative arrangements where practicable but cannot guarantee replacement cover.
9.9. Nothing in this section affects the client's statutory consumer rights.
10. Weather & Safety
10.1. The welfare of the horses and the safety of everyone involved will always take priority.
10.2. During extreme weather, including severe storms, ice, flooding, excessive heat or unsafe ground conditions, Harris Hounds may adjust the timing or nature of the agreed duties where reasonably necessary.
10.3. Where turnout is unsafe, horses may remain stabled temporarily, provided this is consistent with their welfare needs and the client's instructions, or an appropriate alternative arrangement is agreed.
10.4. Clients will be informed of significant changes as soon as reasonably practicable.
10.5. Where a service cannot safely be performed, Harris Hounds will discuss suitable alternatives and any appropriate adjustment to charges.
11. Insurance & Liability
11.1. Harris Hounds will exercise reasonable care and skill when providing equine services.
11.2. Clients are strongly encouraged to maintain appropriate equine insurance, including veterinary fees and third-party liability cover.
11.3. Harris Hounds is responsible for loss or damage caused by its negligence or breach of contract, subject to applicable law.
11.4. Harris Hounds is not responsible for losses arising solely from pre-existing medical conditions, undisclosed behavioural issues, defective equipment, unsafe facilities or circumstances outside its reasonable control, except to the extent that Harris Hounds has caused or contributed to the loss through negligence or breach of contract.
11.5. Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricted.
11.6. Nothing in these terms affects the client's statutory rights under applicable consumer law.
12. Communication & Updates
12.1. Harris Hounds may provide photographs, messages and updates during holiday-care bookings where agreed.
12.2. Clients should remain contactable during bookings or provide an authorised representative who can be contacted in their absence.
12.3. Non-urgent enquiries will be responded to as soon as reasonably practicable during normal working hours.
12.4. Clients must inform Harris Hounds promptly of any concerns about the services provided so they can be addressed appropriately.
13. Photographs & Privacy
13.1. Client and horse information will be used for booking administration, provision of care, communication and emergency arrangements in accordance with applicable data protection law.
13.2. Photographs of horses may be taken for welfare updates or record-keeping.
13.3. Photographs will not be used for public marketing or social media without the client's permission.
13.4. Personal contact details, yard access information and security instructions will not be published.
14. Acceptance of Terms
14.1. Clients will be provided with these terms before confirming a booking.
14.2. Acceptance of a quotation or written booking confirmation constitutes agreement to these terms, subject to applicable consumer law.
14.3. Any variations to these terms must be agreed in writing.
14.4. Harris Hounds may update its terms and conditions from time to time. The version provided and accepted at the time of booking will apply unless a change is subsequently agreed.