Equine Veterinary Negligence
When you instruct a vet to look after your horse, whether they are;
- Carrying out treatment, or
- Examining a horse before you purchase it
You expect them to provide a high level of skill and care. Sadly, this is not always the case.
If something does go wrong it can be hard to know how to make a claim.
Our Equine Law solicitors have experience in equine veterinary negligence claims. We can offer advice and guide you on making a claim against a veterinary practice.
Call our Equine Law Team Email our Equine Law Team
How Do I Prove a Vet Has Been Negligent?
For a vet to be negligent, their actions must have resulted in harm, loss, injury, or damage.
First, you should make a written complaint to the vet. This complaint should request a full written explanation.
If you are unhappy with their response, you should instruct an expert to present your case to a Judge. They will determine whether;
- The vet was negligent, and
- If that negligence caused the damage to your horse.
To prove a vet’s negligence, you need to show they not only made poor decisions, but no other reasonable body of vets would have acted in the same manner.
Unfortunately, the courts only consider financial losses. They don’t take into account emotional loss or suffering of your animal. As such, you need to think about the commercial viability of pursuing such a claim.
What Can I Make a Veterinary Negligence Claim For?
You could make a claim against a vet for:
- Administering inadequate/negligent treatment
- Failing to diagnose/misdiagnosing a problem
- Failing to refer to a specialist
- Producing an inaccurate vetting certificate
- Failing to stay updated with changes in best practice
- Using outdated techniques, procedures or medication
How Long Do I Have to Make a Veterinary Negligence Claim?
You have six years from the date that you suffered a loss due to negligence.
I Recently Purchased a Horse Following a Veterinary Examination Which the Horse Passed, But it is Now Lame. Can I Make a Claim Against the Vet?
First, you will need an independent vet to examine the horse to find out
- What is causing the lameness, and
- Identify whether the lameness was present at the time the original vet carried out their examination
You also need to prove that a reasonably competent vet would have identified the problem at the time of the examination.
Why use Rothera Bray for Equine Veterinary Negligence Claims?
When you instruct us to represent you;
- We will assign a dedicated solicitor to your case. They will work with you from the start of your claim, all the way through to conclusion.
- We work closely with you to establish the full details of your claim. We can then provide advice on the best strategy to resolve your equine dispute as quickly as possible.
Rothera Bray LLP are Official Legal Partners to British Dressage and The British Show Pony Society
Send us a message
“We strive to make every matter as stress free as possible”
Caroline Bowler
Equine Solicitor
Nottingham attacks survivors’ solicitor responds to unlawful access of victims’ medical records
Greg Almond, our Serious Personal Injury Partner, represents two of the surviving victims of the Nottingham attacks Wayne Birkett and Sharon Miller. He has issued a statement in response to the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust confirming that 11 staff members have been dismissed for unlawfully accessing the medical records of the Nottingham Attack’s victims.
Corporate team advises on rescue deal saving 39 jobs at Lincolnshire plant nursery
Our Corporate team has advised on the successful rescue of a Lincolnshire plant nursery business, safeguarding 39 jobs after it was acquired out of administration.
A guide to brain injury claims
A brain injury can change a life in an instant. Whatever the cause, the impact can be complex, long‑lasting and deeply personal.
What to do if you’re being made redundant: employee FAQs
Facing redundancy is stressful, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain or anxious about what happens next.
stars
Posted 28 May 2026
Selling houses is always a daunting prospect, but my life was made much easier by the professionalism and efficiency of Laura Runcak and Lisa Rainbow. They communicated promptly at every step of the process, and I would definitely recommend their services. In fact, I will be using them again in the near future, as I have another house to sell. Both ladies are a credit to Rothera Bray. Many thanks from me and my Mum.
Debbie Tyler
stars
Posted 28 May 2026
We have recently used Sarrina and her team to carry out the conveyancing for the sale of a property. They have all been exceedingly helpful and made the whole process as straightforward as possible. Nothing has been too much trouble and they have dealt with any issue very quickly. Highly recommended!
Tom Ridgway
stars
Posted 27 May 2026
We as an organisation have used Rothera Bray on numerous other occasions when we have sold houses in our portfolio. Both Sarrina and Julekha are very easy to work with and have an abundance of knowledge in the legal conveyancing framework. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Matt
stars
Posted 27 May 2026
I cannot thank Seetal and Rothera Bray Solicitors enough for all the hard work and support they have given me over the last 4 years with my accident at work claim. They have been extremely thorough, professional, and supportive throughout the entire process. Every step was clearly explained to me, and I always felt like they genuinely cared about getting the best outcome possible. Their attention to detail and dedication gave me a lot of confidence during a very difficult time. Thank you again for everything you have done for me.
Luke Shiels
stars
Posted 22 May 2026
Sara has been very helpful during the whole process, both my mother and I would recommend her highly.
Alison Marlow
stars
Posted 22 May 2026
I used Rebecca's services via Rothera Bray Solicitors to deal with the financial side to a divorce. I had an initial face to face appointment to talk through everything with Rebecca and this made me feel at ease and felt that Rebecca was the right person to help me. Rebecca has kept me highly informed at all stages throughout and has also given lots of great advice and has helped me a lot with getting things sorted. I am really happy with the service that I received and Rebecca was so friendly, kind, understanding and very helpful. I would 100% recommend to anyone who is requiring the help during a divorce.
Leila
stars
Posted 22 May 2026
Rothera Bray have been excellent in helping me resolve a difficult and expensive divorce, I found them extremely efficient - communication was excellent at all points and generally they were there when I needed them, they all took a personal interest in my case and we arrived at a reasonable resolution thanks to their efforts Specially thanks to Rebecca Emeleus and Rebecca Hudson for their great work, Highly recommended in what are always going to be difficult situation! They are people that you can rely on - which is very important in divorce actions particularly.
Stuart Randall
stars
Posted 21 May 2026
Both Ellie and Grace were very helpful and kept us up to date with the progress of our house purchase.
Christine
stars
Posted 21 May 2026
Sophie is kind and understanding. She explained everything and I felt I was in very capable hands. I would highly recommend Sophie.
Philippa Stephenson
stars
Posted 20 May 2026
We recently wished to effect a Declaration of Trust and changes to our tax positions with HMRC. It turned out to be relatively straightforward. However, in large part this was probably due to Ed Granger who dealt with the matter for us. He was highly attentive, full and clear in his explanations and checked our inputs thoroughly at every stage. Highly diligent, very pleasant and quick to respond. Thank you Ed.
Anonymous
stars
Posted 18 May 2026
Excellent service and advice from Lauren Kilbride at Rothera Bray Solicitors. Her advice was comprehensive, timely and professionally given. It made my decision making easy and the advice was delivered in language easy to understand. I would have no hesitation in seeking her services again should I require them.
Debra Mitchell
stars
Posted 18 May 2026
Since 2017 Carol Freeman and her assistant Gail Garner have dealt with the selling and buying of a number of properties for me for personal and bereavement reasons. They have been excellent and I can’t praise them enough. Thoroughly professional, reassuring and patient. I have complete trust in them.
Molly King