Bellhaven Agistment

Bellhaven Ranch Horse Agistment Agreement

ABN: 11258429208 Address: 705 Carrs Road, Anakie VIC Contact: 0403899643             Email: bellhavenranchanakie@gmail.com

1. Parties to the Agreement

This Agreement is made on ___/___/2026 between:

• Agistor: Bellhaven Ranch, operated by Sarah Braentel, located at 705 Carrs Road, Anakie VIC

• Horse Owner: ______________, residing at____________________________________

• Contact Information:

Phone:___________________ Email:___________________________________________

Total per week $_________ and month $___________

2. Horse Details

This Agreement applies to the following horses:

Horse #

Name

Breed

Age

Colour/

Markings

Health Notes

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Paddock number ____________

 

 

 

 

 

3. Scope of Services

Bellhaven Ranch agrees to supply land, fencing, water, and facilities for the purpose of horse agistment.

The horse owner is responsible for:

• Providing all care, feed, and management of the horse(s)

• Ensuring horses are appropriately rugged and managed for weather conditions

• Use of arena and facilities may be used upon request in the form off a text message and will usually be granted unless there is an event or lesson.

• Each paddock will have access to ONE saddle rack, ONE bridal rack and ONE halter rack in Bellhaven Ranch’s tack shed. Use of any equipment other than your own is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught stealing will be asked to remove their horse and reported to the police.

• Upon request, you may use barrels, poles and jump wings, if they are neatly put away after use.

Bellhaven Ranch does not provide shelter, feed, rugging, grooming, training, or any other hands-on services unless separately contracted in writing.

4. Fees and Payment Terms

• Agistment Fee: $50 per week for ONE horse, $40 per week for any additional horses. (private paddocks) $45 per week per horse. (shared paddock if available)

• Bond: FOUR weeks at $50 a week must be paid on the day the first horse/s arrives. (This deposit will be forfeited on departure if the paddock is not clean or a months’ notice for leaving hasn’t been given)

• Due Date:

  • Weekly $50 plus other charges By Monday 11:59pm.

  • Fortnightly $100 plus other charges every 14 days by 11:59pm.

  • Monthly (calculated at 4.3 weeks) $215 plus other charges on the 1st of each month by 11:59pm.

• Payment Method: Direct bank transfer (details provided separately). Cash payment is also available on request.

• Paddock cleaning: (optional) Upon request, we can clean your paddock for a fee of $30 each time, if you are unable to do so.

Additional fees

• Late payments incur a fee of $10 and may result in suspension of services.

• Failure to clean paddocks at least once a fortnight $100

• Failure to give 4 weeks’ notice $100

Lien Provision:
If agistment fees remain unpaid for more than 14 days, Bellhaven Ranch reserves the right to create a lien over the horse(s) in accordance with the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 (Vic).
This Act enables a landholder with a horse agisted on their property to create a lien to recover outstanding cost. If fees are not paid for 28 or more days after the lien has started the landholder retains the right to sell, or otherwise deal with the horse(s) to recover unpaid agistment fees and associated costs, subject to the procedures outlined in the legislation.

5. Risk and Liability

• Horses are agisted at the owner's risk. The Agistor shall NOT be responsible for any disease, accident, illness or injury whatsoever caused or arising to the horse whilst transporting to or from the property, or at the property.

• Bellhaven Ranch will exercise reasonable care but is not liable for injury, illness, theft, or loss.

• Owners are responsible for maintaining appropriate insurance coverage for their horse(s).

• The owner must notify the Agistor immediately if the owner becomes aware that the horse/s suffers or has been in contact with any significant or notifiable sickness, disease or injury.

6. Veterinary and Emergency Care

In the event of illness or injury:

• Bellhaven Ranch will contact the nominated veterinarian:
  Veterinarian Name: ______________________
  Contact: ________________________________

• If unavailable, Bellhaven Ranch may engage an alternative qualified professional.

• All veterinary costs are the responsibility of the owner.

7. Termination of Agreement

• A months’ notice is required if a horse is to be removed from the horse agistment.

• We reserve the right to terminate this agreement at any time without the need for explanation. Upon termination, the owner must remove the horse(s) within 48 hours unless otherwise agreed.

8. Owner Responsibilities and Conduct

• Owners must ensure all horses are kept up to date with:

  • Farrier services every 6 weeks

  • Dental care at least once every 12 months

  • Worming as per veterinary recommendation or seasonal schedule

• Children must be supervised at all times.

• Owners are required to clean paddocks and dispose of manure in the specified area, at least once per fortnight. Paddock cleaning can be done by us if requested, at a fee of $30 each time, per paddock.

• Manure in any common areas must be picked up.

• Owners and visitors must respect the property, animals, and staff.

• All rubbish to be taken off property by agistees.

• Feeding or interacting with animals other than one’s own is not permitted without prior approval. This includes sheep, goats, dogs, puppies, cows, and other horses.

9. Legal liability and Insurance

• All possible care is taken of horses agisted at our Agistment. However, agistment is provided on the understanding that the proprietor doesn’t accept liability for any loss, damage, accident, injury or illness to horses, riders, owners, spectators or any other person/s on the property.

• Agisters are strongly recommended to have ambulance cover and personal insurance cover (EA, HRCAV, PCAV is adequate) and are also advised to obtain personal public liability insurance.

• Any property including the horse/s, tack, floats etc must be insured if the owner regards the property is valuable.

• Owners must lock up everything valuable.

• Any contractors coming on site must have their own insurance (INC farriers, instructors, dentists etc)

• The Agistment takes no responsibility for any property damage including stolen or damaged goods (Including if it was locked) including horses, tack and floats and the owners take full responsibility for their property and accept the risks involved by leaving any form of property at this agistment with this contract being signed.

10.  Safety

• Every effort must be made to avoid situations which have the potential to create accidents.

• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited on the property. Agistees are required to report any safety issues immediately.

• Riders must wear helmets when mounted.

• Dogs are prohibited.

• Gates must be shut.

• No outside visitors on property without prior arrangement (Horse professionals excluded).

• Drive at walking pace.

I _________________________ understand and acknowledge that serious injury or death may result from horse riding or handling horses, and all property left at this Agistment is left at the owners own risk. This Agistment shall not be liable for personal injury, death, loss or damage of personal possessions, including horses, tack, and floats.

11. Acknowledgment and Acceptance

By signing below, both parties acknowledge and accept the terms of this Agreement.

Horse Owner Signature: ___________________________ Date: __________
Agistor Signature: _______________________________ Date: __________

 

Understanding the Lien Clause

Transparency. Responsibility. Peace of mind.

At Bellhaven Ranch, we believe in clear communication and mutual respect. To ensure fairness and protect the wellbeing of all horses on our property, we’ve included a lien clause in our agistment agreement. Here’s what that means for you:

🔍 What Is a Lien?

A lien is a legal right that allows Bellhaven Ranch to retain possession of a horse if agistment fees are unpaid. Under the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994 (Vic), a landholder may create a lien over a horse agisted on their property if fees are overdue by 14 or more days.

📅 When Does It Apply?

Bellhaven Ranch will only consider exercising this right if:

• Agistment fees are more than 14 days overdue, and

• Attempts to resolve the matter have not been successful

📝 What Happens Next?

Before any action is taken, we will:

• Notify you in writing

• Provide a final opportunity to settle the outstanding balance

• Follow all procedures outlined in the Impounding of Livestock Act 1994

This may include retaining or selling the horse to recover unpaid fees and associated costs.

🤝 Our Commitment to You

We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. If you're experiencing financial difficulty, please reach out early. We’re always happy to discuss flexible arrangements. Communication is key—and we’re here to support you and your horse.