Yvonne Ocrant’s Efforts Lead to Revisions of Illinois Equine Legislation

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has signed into law the stable keepers lien section of Illinois’ Innkeepers Lien Act, 770 ILCS 40/49, which replaces Illinois’ “horse and buggy days” statute on liens against boarded horses, which originated in 1897. Efforts to re-write and enact the section were led by Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP partner Yvonne C. Ocrant, in her capacity as a Director of the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois.

The new law, which clarifies legislation that was generally considered confusing and difficult to enforce, grants stable keepers a lien on an abandoned horse for the cost of unpaid boarding and related expenses for the horse and provides details as to how the lien may be enforced. Horse abandonment has steadily increased since the economic downturn that began in 2008 and is a matter of great concern to stable keepers.

Ms. Ocrant's equine law experience includes handling litigation involving the Equine Activity Liability Act and various other state and federal laws. She assists individual horse owners; trainers; breeders; riding, boarding and training facilities; veterinarians and other entities in the equine industry litigate and resolve claims for personal injury, property damage, breach of contract, fraud, misrepresentation and other legal issues. She drafts contracts for horse purchases, sales, leases and commission arrangements, and creates equine liability releases for boarding and training facilities, trainers, transporters and other individuals and entities sponsoring or participating in equine activities.