Seller and Booking Partner Agreement

1. Introduction and how this agreement works #

1.1 This Seller and Booking Partner Agreement (“Agreement”) is a contract between Horse Marketplace (“Horse Marketplace”, “we”, “us”) and any person or business that creates a Listing, offers a Booking, or otherwise sells or supplies goods or services through www.horsemarketplace.co.uk (the “Platform”) (“Seller”, “Partner”, “you”).

1.2 This Agreement sits alongside, and does not replace, our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy, and Acceptable Use Policy, which apply to all users of the Platform including buyers. Where this Agreement and those documents conflict on a matter specific to selling or Listing, this Agreement takes precedence.

1.3 This Agreement has different obligations depending on what you list or offer. Core terms (Sections 2–9 and 14–21) apply to every Seller. Additional terms apply on top of the core terms depending on category:

• Horse Listings
  Section 10 and Schedule A apply in addition to the core terms.
  
• Bookings (arena hire, coaching, stable/livery hire, horsebox hire, experiences)
  Section 11 and Schedule B apply in addition to the core terms.
  
• Equipment
  Section 12 applies in addition to the core terms.

1.4 By creating a Listing, accepting a Booking, or completing registration as a Seller, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by this Agreement in full.

2. Definitions #

• “Listing” means any horse, item of equipment, or service advertised for sale, hire or Booking by a Seller on the Platform.
  
• “Booking” means a time-based reservation of a service or facility (arena hire, coaching, stable/livery hire, horsebox hire, equestrian experience) made through the Platform’s checkout.
  
• “Booking Partner” means a Seller who offers Bookings, including riding schools, coaches, livery yards, arena operators and hire operators.
  
• “Private Seller” means an individual selling a horse they own for reasons unconnected with a business, trade or profession.
  
• “Business Seller” means a dealer, breeder, trader, or any Seller acting in the course of a business, trade or profession, including any Seller who lists three or more horses in a rolling 12-month period.
  
• “GMV” means gross merchandise value — the total value of a transaction paid by a buyer before deduction of any fees.
  
• “Commission” means the percentage of GMV payable to Horse Marketplace as set out in Schedule C (Fee Schedule).
  
• “Custom Offer” means the optional on-platform payment mechanism for horse sales described in Section 10.6.
  
• “Payment Processor” means Stripe, or any successor payment processing provider used by the Platform (currently operated via Stripe Connect).

3. Eligibility and account registration #

3.1 You must be at least 18 years old and legally capable of entering into a binding contract to register as a Seller.

3.2 Business Sellers and Booking Partners must provide accurate company or trading details, including company number (if applicable), VAT number (if registered), and a valid contact address.

3.3 All Sellers must complete Payment identity verification via the Payment Processor’s KYC (Know Your Customer) process before any Listing goes live or any payout is released. We may decline to activate, or may suspend, any account that does not pass verification.

3.4 You are responsible for keeping your account details, contact information and payout details up to date and for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials.

4. Listing standards (all Sellers) #

4.1 All Listings must be accurate, truthful, and not misleading as to condition, provenance, price, availability or any material fact.

4.2 You must own, or have clear authority to sell, hire or offer for Booking, everything you list.

4.3 Photographs and descriptions must be your own or used with permission. Do not use stock images, stolen images, or images copied from other listings or sellers.

4.4 You must not list anything that is illegal to sell, hire, or supply in the United Kingdom, or that breaches a third party’s rights.

4.5 We may remove, edit, suspend or decline to publish any Listing at our reasonable discretion, including where we believe it breaches this Agreement, our Acceptable Use Policy, or applicable law.

4.6 You are solely responsible for ensuring your Listing and your conduct as a Seller complies with all applicable law, including but not limited to the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

5. Fees, Commission and payment #

5.1 Commission is calculated on GMV at the rate applicable to your subscription tier and Listing category, as set out in Schedule C.

5.2 Commission is deducted automatically at checkout via the Payment Processor. You receive the sale or Booking price net of Commission and net of the Payment Processor’s own transaction fee, which is charged to you (the Seller), not to Horse Marketplace.

5.3 Subscription fees (where applicable to your tier) are billed monthly in advance and are non-refundable except where required by law.

5.4 We may change Commission rates or subscription pricing with at least 30 days’ written notice. Continuing to list or accept Bookings after a fee change takes effect constitutes acceptance of the new rates.

5.5 Payouts are made via the Payment Processor according to its standard payout schedule. We are not responsible for delays caused by the Payment Processor, incorrect payout details you have provided, or holds placed for fraud, chargeback or verification reasons.

5.6 Founding-partner or promotional Commission rates (including any 0% introductory period) will be confirmed in writing separately and expire on the date stated in that confirmation, after which standard rates in Schedule C apply.

6. Subscription tiers #

6.1 Sellers may operate on the Free tier or elect a paid tier (Trade or Pro), each carrying a different Commission rate and Listing allowance as set out in Schedule C.

6.2 You may upgrade at any time with immediate effect. Downgrades and cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing period.

6.3 We may introduce, discontinue or modify tiers with reasonable notice; existing subscribers will be given the opportunity to move to a comparable tier.

7. Reviews and reputation #

7.1 Only buyers who have completed a genuine transaction or Booking with you may leave a review of your Listing or service.

7.2 You must not create, solicit, incentivise, or pay for fake, fabricated or misleading reviews, whether positive about you or negative about a competitor. This reflects our obligations under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

7.3 You may respond publicly to reviews and may report reviews you believe are fake, abusive, or breach our review guidelines for investigation.

8. Prohibited conduct #

In addition to our Acceptable Use Policy, as a Seller or Booking Partner you must not:

• Circumvent the Platform’s checkout to avoid Commission, for example by directing a buyer introduced through the Platform to pay you directly off-platform for that transaction;
  
• Misrepresent your identity, business status, or verification status;
  
• List horses, equipment or bookings in breach of animal welfare law, health and safety law, or licensing requirements applicable to your activity;
  
• Engage in price manipulation, bid manipulation, or coordinate with other Sellers to fix prices;
  
• Harass, discriminate against, or mislead buyers or other users;
  
• Use the Platform to launder funds or process transactions unrelated to genuine equestrian sales, hire or bookings.

8.1 Off-platform circumvention.

Where a buyer is introduced to you through a Listing or enquiry made on the Platform, we ask that any resulting sale or Booking is completed on-Platform for a reasonable period (currently 60 days) from the introduction, so that Commission is properly captured. This does not apply to horse sales that remain enquiry-based and do not use Custom Offers, where no on-platform payment route is mandated.

9. Suspension, removal and termination #

9.1 We may suspend or remove a Listing, withhold a payout pending investigation, or suspend or terminate your account, where we reasonably believe you have breached this Agreement, our Acceptable Use Policy, or applicable law, or where required by the Payment Processor, a regulator, or law enforcement.

9.2 Except in cases of suspected fraud, safety risk, or legal requirement, we will give you notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond before permanent removal of your account.

9.3 You may close your account at any time. Closing your account does not affect Commission already due on completed transactions or bookings, or fees already accrued.

9.4 On termination for any reason, Sections 5 (fees due), 13 (data), 15 (liability), 16 (indemnity) and 19 (general provisions) survive.

10. Additional terms for horse listings #

10.1 Passport and identification. Every horse Listing must include the horse’s passport number, and the Listing will display a “Passport Confirmed” badge only once you have completed our passport-verification workflow. You are responsible for ensuring the horse’s passport is genuine, current and matches the horse offered.

10.2 Change of ownership notification. On completion of a sale, the new owner is responsible for notifying the passport-issuing body of the change of ownership within 30 days, as required by the Central Equine Database regulations. Horse Marketplace does not perform this notification on your behalf.

10.3 Free listings for Private Sellers. Private Sellers may list a single horse for sale free of charge, subject to the passport-verification requirement in 10.1 and the Listing limits described in Schedule C for unverified or non-subscribed accounts.

10.4 Business Sellers. If you are a dealer, breeder, or otherwise a Business Seller as defined in Section 2, you must register as such, hold an appropriate subscription tier, and comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 in respect of any horse you sell in the course of business, including as to satisfactory quality, fitness for purpose and description.

10.5 Welfare standards. All horse Listings must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006. You must not list a horse for a purpose, or in a condition, that would breach that Act. We reserve the right to remove Listings that raise welfare concerns and to report suspected welfare offences to the relevant authority (including the RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, or local authority as appropriate).

10.6 Custom Offers. You may, but are not required to, use the Platform’s Custom Offers feature to accept payment for a horse sale on-Platform. Where you do, standard Commission and Payment Processor fees apply to that transaction. Where a sale is agreed off-Platform following an enquiry, no Commission is due, but Sections 8 and 10.1–10.5 continue to apply to the Listing itself.

10.7 See Schedule A for full horse-Listing compliance checklist referenced at point of Listing.

11. Additional terms for bookings (Booking Partners) #

11.1 Licensing. If your Booking activity requires a local-authority licence (for example, a “hiring out horses” licence, or a licence connected to riding establishments, arenas or livery), you are solely responsible for holding and maintaining that licence. You must provide your licence number as a Listing field and must not accept Bookings for activity you are not lawfully licensed to provide.

11.2 Availability and calendar accuracy. You must keep your availability calendar accurate and must honour confirmed Bookings. Repeated cancellation of confirmed Bookings by you may result in Listing suspension.

11.3 Approval and vetting. Where the Platform’s host-approval feature is enabled for your Listing type, you may set reasonable approval criteria for prospective bookers, applied consistently and without unlawful discrimination.

11.4 Deposits and cancellations. Security deposits, cancellation windows and refund terms for your Bookings must be clearly stated on your Listing before a booker pays. Horse Marketplace’s default Booking Cancellation Policy applies where you have not specified your own terms; see Schedule B.

11.5 Safety and safeguarding. Where your Booking involves coaching, instruction, or activity involving a child or vulnerable adult, you confirm that you hold, and will maintain, any DBS check, safeguarding policy, qualification or insurance appropriate to that activity, and that this is your responsibility, not Horse Marketplace’s.

11.6 Insurance. You must hold valid public liability insurance appropriate to your Booking activity (and, where relevant, professional indemnity or care, custody and control cover for animals in your charge) for the duration you offer Bookings, and must provide evidence on request.

12. Additional terms for equipment listings #

12.1 Business Sellers of equipment must comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, including honouring the buyer’s 14-day cancellation right on distance sales, where it applies.

12.2 Item descriptions, condition, and safety-relevant defects (for example on tack, saddlery or safety equipment) must be disclosed accurately. You must not list recalled or unsafe equipment.

12.3 Private Sellers of equipment sell as consumers to consumers; statutory consumer protections that apply to Business Sellers do not apply in the same way, and Listings should make clear whether you are selling privately or in the course of business.

13. Data protection and tax reporting #

13.1 We process your personal data in accordance with our Privacy Policy. As a Seller, you must handle any buyer personal data you receive (for example, through an enquiry or Booking) in accordance with UK GDPR and only for the purpose of completing that transaction.

13.2 Digital platform reporting (HMRC). As a UK digital platform, we are required under the OECD Model Rules (implemented in the UK from 1 January 2024) to collect certain information about Sellers who receive income through the Platform — including name, address, tax reference and transaction data — and to report this annually to HMRC. By selling or accepting Bookings through the Platform you consent to this collection and reporting where it applies to you. Full detail is set out in our Digital Platform Reporting Notice.

13.3 You remain solely responsible for your own tax affairs, including declaring income from sales and Bookings to HMRC where required.

14. Intellectual property #

14.1 You grant Horse Marketplace a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, and display content you upload (photos, descriptions, Listing content) for the purposes of operating, promoting and improving the Platform.

14.2 You confirm you own or have the necessary rights to any content you upload, and that it does not infringe any third party’s intellectual property rights.

15. Liability #

15.1 Horse Marketplace provides a platform connecting buyers and Sellers; we are not a party to the contract of sale, hire or Booking between you and a buyer, except where we act as payment collection agent via the Payment Processor for the purpose of processing payment.

15.2 We do not guarantee the condition, quality, safety, temperament, health or legal status of any horse listed, and we do not guarantee the safety, quality or licensing status of any Booking or equipment listed. You are responsible for satisfying yourself of these matters as Seller and disclosing them accurately.

15.3 To the maximum extent permitted by law, Horse Marketplace’s aggregate liability to you in connection with this Agreement is limited to the total Commission and subscription fees paid by you in the 12 months preceding the event giving rise to the claim. Nothing in this Agreement limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, fraud, or any liability that cannot lawfully be limited or excluded.

16. Indemnity #

16.1 You agree to indemnify and hold Horse Marketplace harmless against any claim, loss, liability, damage or cost (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: (a) your breach of this Agreement; (b) your Listing or the goods, animal or service it describes; (c) your breach of applicable law, licensing requirement or third-party right; or (d) any injury, loss or damage suffered by a buyer or third party arising from a transaction or Booking you have made through the Platform.

17. Dispute resolution between Sellers and buyers #

17.1 You must make reasonable efforts to resolve disputes with buyers directly and in good faith.

17.2 Where a dispute cannot be resolved directly, we may (but are not obliged to) assist informally, and either party may refer an unresolved consumer dispute to an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider or the relevant ombudsman scheme.

17.3 We may make a final decision on the release, refund or withholding of Payment Processor funds we hold in connection with a disputed transaction, acting reasonably and in accordance with the Payment Processor’s own dispute rules.

18. Changes to this agreement #

We may update this Agreement from time to time. Material changes will be notified to active Sellers by email or in-platform notice at least 14 days before they take effect. Continuing to use the Platform after that date constitutes acceptance.

19. General provisions #

19.1 Assignment.
You may not assign or transfer your rights under this Agreement without our written consent. We may assign this Agreement in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of substantially all our assets, on notice to you.

19.2 Relationship of the parties.
Nothing in this Agreement creates a partnership, joint venture, agency or employment relationship between you and Horse Marketplace.

19.3 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue in full force.

19.4 Entire agreement.
This Agreement, together with our Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and Acceptable Use Policy, constitutes the entire agreement between you and Horse Marketplace regarding your activity as a Seller.

19.5 Notices.
Notices to us should be sent via Support Ticket. Notices to you will be sent to the email address on your account.

19.6 Governing law and jurisdiction.
This Agreement is governed by the law of England and Wales, and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction, save that a Seller who is a consumer may also be entitled to bring proceedings in their local jurisdiction under mandatory consumer protection law.

Schedule A — Horse Listing compliance checklist #

Referenced from Section 10.

• Passport number entered and matches the horse being listed.
  
• Passport-verification workflow completed (“Passport Confirmed” badge applied).
  
• Listing does not offer the horse for a prohibited purpose (e.g. slaughter for meat where not lawfully permitted, unweaned foal sale).
  
• Age, breed, height, sex, and any known health/vetting information accurately stated.
  
• Seller has declared Private Seller or Business Seller status correctly.
  
• Business Sellers only: trading name, company number (if applicable) and returns/cancellation information displayed.
  
• Photographs are the Seller’s own and represent the horse currently offered.

Schedule B — Default Booking cancellation and deposit terms #

Applies where a Booking Partner has not specified its own published cancellation terms on a Listing (Section 11.4).

• Booker cancellation 7 days before the booked slot: full refund less Payment Processor fee.
  
• Booker cancellation within 48 hours: deposit (if any) retained by the Booking Partner; balance refunded less Payment Processor fee.
  
• Booking Partner cancellation for any reason: full refund to the booker, including any deposit.
  
• No-show by booker: full amount retained by the Booking Partner.
  
• Weather or venue-safety cancellation initiated by the Booking Partner: treated as a Booking Partner cancellation (full refund) unless an alternative slot is offered and accepted by the booker.

Schedule C — Fee schedule #

Commission and subscription rates in effect from August 2026. Horse Marketplace may update this Schedule in accordance with Section 5.4. View active rates via Seller Dashboard.