It's been a long time coming. After 16 years of effort by the Pennsylvania Equine Council and legislators, the Equine Activity Immunity Act becomes effective today.

The Equine Activity Immunity Act applies to any individual, group, club or business that sponsors, organizes, conducts or provides facilities for an equine activity.

Specifically, the Act defines covered activities to include, but not limited to, boarding equines, teaching and riding instruction, training, trail riding, rodeos, riding or evaluating an equine for prospective purchase, shoeing or trimming, and most types of horse shows.

To receive protection under the act, the equine operator must conspicuously post signs in two or more locations on the facility where the activity takes place. Signs must be at least three feet by two feet in size and must contain the following statement: "You assume the risk of equine activities pursuant to Pennsylvania law."

For example, if you have a horse to sell and a prospective buyer is injured on your property while riding the horse to evaluate it for purchase, you would be protected under the act as long as the required signs are posted and easily seen.

Protection under the act is limited to injuries that occur to adults while participating in an equine activity. Injuries that occur to minors are not covered under this legislation.

Although the Equine Activity Immunity Act provides protection to equine operators, it does not mean that operators can become lax.

The act does not prevent someone from filing a claim against you regardless of whether or not the claim has merit. The act provides you with a defense to a claim if you are in compliance with the terms of the act. It is recommended that equine owners and operators maintain an insurance policy to cover liability for equine related injuries.

Although written release forms are not required under the act, releases that outline the inherent risks involved in horseback riding and related activities provide additional proof that an individual was aware of the dangers involved.

For specific information on the Equine Activity Immunity Act, you can find it on the Internet at

www2.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2005/0/SB0618P1359.pdf. A fact sheet and order form for signs can be found at the PA Equine Council's Web site at

www.pennsylvaniaequinecouncil.com.

Copies of the fact sheet and order form are also available by contacting the Butler County Extension Office at 724-287-4761

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, Extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing Home complex.