No. Our expertise and professional designations are limited to the appraisal of personal property. If you require an appraisal of agricultural land, a farm, or an equestrian facility, you should retain a qualified real property (real estate) appraiser with experience in agricultural and commercial equestrian properties. Real property appraisers are licensed or certified to value land and permanently attached improvements and, in Canada and the United States, must meet the licensing or certification requirements established by the applicable provincial, territorial, or state regulatory authority.

Yes. Daventry Appraisal Services has been retained in litigation and insurance matters throughout North America and internationally. Our appraisal reports have been relied upon in civil disputes, fraud investigations, tax matters, insurance claims, and other legal proceedings. Every appraisal is prepared to the highest professional standards, including compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), and, where applicable, the requirements for qualified appraisals under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Our reports are designed to withstand legal scrutiny, and in many cases, disputes are resolved after our expert reports are exchanged with opposing counsel, eliminating the need for trial. We have completed appraisal assignments for clients as far away as Saudi Arabia and Australia. In addition to appraisal services, we provide expert witness consulting, pre-trial investigations, case analysis, and assistance in helping legal counsel understand the strengths and weaknesses of a case from an industry perspective. Our goal is to provide independent, objective expertise that helps clients make informed decisions and achieve efficient resolutions.

Yes. Daventry Appraisals are recognized for legal purposes in jurisdictions around the world. Tracy has also been qualified as an expert in court proceedings in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Our appraisal reports are prepared to meet the highest professional standards and are designed to withstand legal scrutiny, whether they are used in litigation, arbitration, mediation, insurance matters, or tax-related proceedings. Clients around the world rely on our independent, objective opinions when a credible and well-supported valuation is required.

When agricultural equipment or an animal is unavailable for inspection—such as when it is deceased, stolen, previously donated, sold, inaccessible, or the appraisal requires a retrospective (historical) valuation—we can often complete the assignment using extraordinary assumptions. These appraisals rely on verified documentation, supporting records, and information corroborated through independent sources to develop a credible and well-supported opinion of value. Depending on the intended use of the appraisal and the available documentation, we may also complete an assignment remotely using photographs, videos, veterinary records, competition records, and other supporting evidence. However, for litigation involving a healthy, living animal where a current effective date of value is required, an in-person inspection may provide additional information that strengthens the appraisal. Every assignment is unique. We recommend discussing the available appraisal options with your legal counsel so the scope of work is appropriate for your specific legal matter and intended use.

This is the highest price, estimated in terms of money, that an informed buyer would pay for a particular animal or item on any given day.

Daventry Appraisal Services provides qualified appraisals for charitable donations that meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Donating an item or animal to a qualified charitable or non-profit organization can provide meaningful support to the recipient while potentially offering valuable tax benefits to the donor. Before making a donation, confirm that the receiving organization qualifies under the applicable IRS or CRA regulations, and consult your accountant or tax advisor to determine your eligibility for a charitable tax deduction or tax credit. In most cases, the allowable deduction is based on the item or animal's Fair Market Value as of the date of the donation—not the original purchase price. For example, a retired hunter/jumper horse should be valued based on its condition, use, and market value at the time of the donation, rather than what it was worth during its competitive career.

For donations exceeding $5,000, the IRS and CRA generally require a qualified appraisal prepared by an independent qualified appraiser. It is also important to note that appraisal reports prepared more than 60 days before the donation date generally do not satisfy IRS or CRA requirements. If you are donating an animal to a charitable organization, we also recommend asking about the organization's long-term plans for the animal. Under certain circumstances, if the organization disposes of the animal within three years of the donation, the IRS may review the transaction and adjust or reduce the charitable deduction originally claimed, depending on the facts and applicable tax rules. We recommend consulting your accountant or tax advisor regarding your specific circumstances and current IRS or CRA requirements before completing any charitable donation.

Yes. Our appraisal reports are prepared in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and, when applicable, meet the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requirements for a qualified appraisal. You can be confident that your appraisal will be prepared to the professional standards expected by the IRS for charitable donations, estate tax matters, and other tax-related purposes. To date, none of our clients have had one of our appraisal reports rejected by the IRS. We have, however, been retained by individuals and their advisors during IRS appeals after appraisal reports prepared by other appraisers were determined to be non-compliant. In these cases, we have assisted clients by reviewing the existing appraisal, providing expert consultation throughout the appeals process, and, when necessary, preparing a new qualified appraisal for submission to the IRS. Our goal is to provide independent, well-supported appraisal reports that withstand scrutiny and help clients avoid unnecessary delays, disputes, and additional expense.

• Physical traits such as age, health, and conformation
• Breed type and breed characteristics
• Bloodlines
• Disposition
• Accomplishments, including training and show records
• Value and success of offspring
• Current economic and marketing trends

• Emotional attachment
• Perceived value
• Direct or indirect costs of ownership maintenance, veterinary bills, and financial needs

• An average appraisal costs approximately $700. However, each appraisal is unique, so please call for a quote tailored to your needs.
• Discounts are available for multiple animals or items.
• Feel free to contact us for fees and information.

The typical turnaround time for a single-horse appraisal is 10 to 14 business days from the date we receive all required documentation and payment. The timeframe may vary depending on the complexity of the assignment and the completeness of the information provided. If you require your appraisal sooner, we offer expedited (rush) service for an additional fee. Rush assignments can often be completed in nine days or less, depending on our current workload and the nature of the appraisal. Please contact us to confirm availability and turnaround times.

The term "Accredited Agricultural or Livestock Appraiser" refers to an entry-level appraisal designation awarded by the American Society of Agricultural Appraisers (ASAA). Individuals seeking this designation are encouraged to complete the ASAA Principles of Valuation (35 hours), Advanced Principles of Valuation (70 hours), and the 15-hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course. However, because ASAA operates as a voluntary membership organization, these educational programs and continuing education requirements are not mandatory for maintaining Accredited status. As a result, an individual may hold a current Accredited membership without having completed all of the organization's recommended coursework.

Daventry Appraisal Services is led by one of the few Senior Agricultural & Livestock Appraisers in North America. The Senior designation is awarded to Accredited members who have successfully completed ASAA's 105-hour appraisal education program, satisfied the Appraiser Qualifications Board's (AQB) minimum qualification criteria for personal property appraisers—including at least 700 hours of appraisal experience—completed the 15-hour USPAP course, and remain members in good standing. While ASAA encourages Senior members to meet the AQB's continuing education recommendations every five years, this is not a requirement for maintaining the designation. For that reason, we recommend asking any appraiser about their recent education, USPAP training, and professional development. Appraisal methodology, valuation theory, and market conditions continually evolve, making ongoing education an important consideration when selecting a qualified appraiser.

At Daventry Appraisal Services, we voluntarily exceed the minimum expectations for professional development by complying with the Appraiser Qualifications Board's Personal Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria. Our commitment includes completing the 7-hour USPAP Update Course every two years and at least 70 hours of continuing education every five years, including 20 hours in valuation theory, to ensure our clients receive appraisal services that reflect current professional standards and accepted appraisal methodology.

Want to compare appraisal designations? Visit our page here, which explains the different appraisal credentials and what they mean when selecting an appraiser.