. . . coordination and referrals for services nationwide for all breeds. Establishing Value For You Les Scott, Certified Equine Appraiser If you lost a horse you may be able to claim a casualty loss. Consult your tax advisor. An appraisal could show your horse was worth more than insurance proceeds. If you have donated or considering donating a horse to a college or riding program you need an appraisal for values in excess of $5000. Will I ever need a Horse Appraised? Appraisals are used in litigation, divorce, trust and estate settlements, bankruptcy, forced liquidation actions and in establishing collateral value for loans. Appraisals are used to help settle or even prevent lawsuits if you are involved in any type of litigation. Services include expert witness testimony and litigation assistance with interrogatories, investigations and witness questioning. Mandatory appraisals for all Charitable contributions of horses whose value exceeds $5,000 are often disallowed by Internal Revenue Service regulations regarding content. Appraisals are prepared that are compliant with IRS regulations, as a "qualified" IRS appraiser and Equine Tax Specialist. Certified appraisals are used as valid marketing tools, and can make potential buyers feel more confident about prospective purchases. Professional appraisals often make the difference between insuring horses for what they are really worth, or settling for a company valuation, which is generally lower than the horse's real fair market value. Horse owners are not necessarily protected by an "agreed value" rider on their insurance policy. Underwriters can still challenge the current market value of the horse by hiring an appraiser who doesn't think your horse was really worth what it was insured for. When you hire an accredited personal property appraiser who complies with *USPAP standards, you are assured of the best valuation experience on the market because certified appraisers bring knowledge of the market and professional expertise to the job. Certified appraisers are accurate, impartial and credible. They are educated and experienced in their fields and can deliver independent valuations that ensure your property is appraised at its actual value. The Les Scott's accreditation and subsequent certification by the American Society of Equine Appraisers (ASEA), is predicated on his collective experience, technical appraisal proficiency, intensive written examinations and an underlying understanding of fundamental appraisal ethics, principles and concepts.  The appraiser you select should possess relevant equine experience, education, skill and integrity. Member of The American Society of Equine Appraisers The American Society of Equine Appraisers (ASEA) is an organization of appraisal professionals and other parties interested in the appraisal profession. Founded in 1985, the ASEA is the nation's only appraisal association exclusively for horse appraisers. The ASEA is a division of the American Society of Agricultural Appraisers <http://www.amagappraisers.com/> (ASAA) which is comprised of three divisions: The American Society of Equine Appraisers The International Society of Livestock Appraisers The American Society of Farm Equipment Appraisers     Les Scott, Certified Equine Appraiser Lazy S Ranch 13995 Mossy Hammock Lane Myakka City, FL 34251 941-544-3980 941-803-2864 - FAX ls_scott@hotmail.com