2023 New Year’s Resolution - Get Horse Insurance!

Let’s be honest – no one really like’s New Year’s resolutions, since they seldom involve enjoyable activities like eating more chocolate or exercising less. And generally speaking no one likes contemplating all the ways their horses could rack up thousands of dollars in vet bills or, heaven forbid, pass away.

But if the last three years have taught us anything, it is to prepare for the unexpected! Don’t get me wrong, I realize that most horseowners don’t hang out at the barn chatting about worst case scenarios, but as in many areas of life, what you don’t know can hurt you, and putting your head in the sand is rarely a successful strategy. So without being too morbid, but in the interest of helping you protect your horses and your bank account, here are some reasons you should put “Get Horse Insurance Policy” on your 2023 to-do list.

Accidents Happen

It is a common belief that horses are safest at home and at the most risk while traveling and competing. Interestingly, several years ago when some colleagues did an anecdotal analysis of more than 2000 horses that had been insured over a two-year period, of those that died during that time, pasture accidents ranked as one of the top causes of death.

The types of accidents ran the gamut from kick wounds, slips and falls, puncture wounds, crashes into pieces of fencing or other debris, and even jumping pasture fences and running into the road. Our review showed that these types of accidents did not discriminate by value or type of horse, with uses ranging from Olympic contenders living in immaculate conditions to backyard pleasure horses, and values from $1,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What to do?

First, consider insuring your horse.  Rates for Mortality (equine life insurance) coverage for the typical performance horse aged 2-14 generally run from 2.9% to 3.7% of the insured value, depending on the horse’s use, breed, competition level, and the insurance company offering coverage. So, for example, the Full Mortality premium for a 10-year-old Dressage, Cutting or Reining horse insured at $10,000 could be as low as $290-$300 a year. Or for a Hunter/Jumper or Roping horse it could be as low as $340-$370 a year. And for Pleasure horses not used for a specific discipline, it could be as low as $300-$340 a year. This equine life insurance policy also usually covers for theft, and typically includes at no charge up to $5,000 (depending on the insurance company and the horse’s insured value) of free Emergency Colic Surgery coverage, providing the horse does not have a history of colic or other gastrointestinal issues. To get a free horse insurance quote, go to our QUOTE page.

Second, take steps to limit your horse’s risk while turned out. Monitor fence lines, especially after bad weather, and keep all debris (and any type of equipment, vehicles, or other potential hazards) out of pastures, paddocks and other turn-out areas. If possible, fence off trees to limit your horse's access to them. Introduce new horses to a herd gradually, and if you see a personality conflict cropping up among members of the herd (or even good “friends” consistently playing too hard), take steps to separate these horses for their own good.

In addition, keep an eye on the weather and avoid putting your horses out during storms or in slippery icy or muddy conditions. Almost every Winter we see at least one Mortality claim after a horse slips and falls in icy and/or significantly muddy conditions, not to mention the many Major Medical/Surgical claims for strained ligaments and tendons, and even fractures. For more Winter Safety Tips, see our BLOG.

Colic

The word “colic” strikes fear in the hearts of horse owners around the world. Our anecdotal research has shown that colic and related intestinal issues also rank highly as common causes of death.

And again, we see these types of claims across the board, regardless of breed, discipline, or value. Horses receiving the best feed, hay, grass, training, turn out, veterinary care, and practically 24-hour monitoring can still end up on the operating table.

And while the prognosis has become more positive over the years, with more horses not only surviving colic surgery but also going on to have long, successful, colic-free careers, an unfortunate number still die before, during, or after surgery due to a variety of reasons. In some cases, the colic comes on suddenly during the night, and the horse has passed away before help arrives in the morning. In other cases, even with prompt care and attention, by the time the horse makes it to the hospital too much damage has been done. And in others, post-operative complications develop that cannot be overcome.

What to do?

Colic prevention is an art and a science, and sometimes feels like a matter of luck. In a nutshell: allow your horse to live as much like a horse as possible, with as much safe turn-out time as you can. This provides both exercise and hopefully good pasture to munch on, as their digestive systems are designed to have an almost constant influx of roughage. A comprehensive de-worming program is also essential, since certain types of parasites can contribute to colic. And it is vital that your horses have a constant access to clean, fresh water (especially in cold weather, when buckets and troughs can freeze over), since dehydration can cause an impaction colic.

For horses that have little access to grass and/or turn out, try to have good quality hay available as often as possible, and feed several small meals of grain daily, versus just larger meals. Also consider some of the supplements designed to help maintain gut health. And if your horse is primarily turned out in sandy areas, be aware of the possibility of sand colic, which you can help prevent by some of the tips above, as well as by not putting hay or feed on the ground, and adding psyllium to your horse’s feed.

Also, be on the lookout for gastric ulcers, which can lead to colic issues. Research over more than the last decade has shown that gastric ulcers are much more prevalent than previously thought--among all breeds and disciplines. Just a two-day trip away from home can be enough to set the stage for ulcers. If your horse is dropping weight for no reason, seems girthy or unusually tense or depressed, has changed his eating or drinking habits, and/or seems “off” or slightly colicky, talk to your veterinarian. And if you are traveling to competitions or will otherwise be away from home, consider preventative measures. The good news is that there are effective prevention and treatment supplement and medication options to help keep gastric ulcers at bay and treat them if they occur.

The Rest

In the look at those two years of Mortality claims, neurological diseases such as EPM were slightly more prevalent than other causes. And the remainder of causes included eye issues, joint infections from puncture wounds, various cancers, conditions like founder that required the horses to be put down, as well as catastrophic injuries resulting from trailering accidents and barn fires.

Other Expenses – Equine Medical and Surgical Insurance Coverages

In many cases, before these horses passed away or were euthanized their owners invested significant funds toward attempts at diagnosis and treatment. This is important to mention because the Equine Mortality Insurance policy wording requires that the insured takes all steps to save the horse’s life, regardless of the expenses necessary to do so. In the example of a horse that is colicking, if the horse is a candidate for surgery as recommended by the veterinarian, and the owner chooses not to follow the vet’s recommendation and instead euthanizes the horse, or the horse dies due to the untreated colic, it is very likely that a Mortality claim would not be paid since the policy requirements were not followed. While humane destruction is covered under most Mortality policies, the circumstances of the euthanasia must meet the policy requirements. If you find yourself in a situation with a sick or injured horse, it is imperative that you contact the insurance company immediately and talk to an adjuster.

Having some sort of Medical and/or Surgical coverage can ease some of the financial considerations when making decisions regarding your horse’s care. In cases of covered injuries, illnesses, lamenesses, accidents, and diseases that occur during the policy period, Medical and Surgical coverages can help provide reimbursement for a good portion of the veterinary expenses related to those issues. 

Equine Medical and Surgical insurance is usually available to add to a Mortality policy for horses through the age of 30 days to 18-20 years, at coverage limits including $7,500, $10,000, $12,500, and $15,000 (depending on the horse’s age, breed, use, insured value, and the insurance company offering the coverage) for additional premiums starting at $350 per year.  Considering colic surgery, without complications, averages between $8,000 - $12,000 (and can be considerably more expensive depending on the surgical facility, the type of surgery, and any post-operative complications), or that even a horse with something as “simple” as a puncture wound or non-surgical colic can easily rack up more than $5,000 in vet bills to treat, Medical and Surgical coverages can be the best investment a horseowner makes.

Quick & Easy

The best part of this 2023 Resolution is that it typically takes just a few minutes to get coverage in place. You can contact our offices for an emailed quote through this link QUOTE or give us a call at 800-432-1215. Once you have decided the types and limits of coverages you want, completing the paperwork takes just a couple minutes. The application is a fillable PDF (Click HERE) that can be electronically signed (so no printing, scanning, etc. necessary) and in most cases a Vet Certificate is not required, providing the horse is sound and healthy, under 16-17 years old and under $100,000 insured value.

More Information

For more information on coverages, please check our other Blog entries, and visit our Insure Your Horse and FAQ pages. To see about a quote for coverage, go to the QUOTE page. And also, please contact our office at 800-432-1215 with any questions.

**These blogs are for basic information purposes only, and do not constitute advice from Marshall and Sterling Insurance or its affiliates. Contact our office directly at 800-432-1215  to contact an agent for complete and current information regarding all coverages.

Winter Safety

For many of us, Winter brings with it a delightful menu of snow, ice, mud, and cold temperatures, all of which lead to unique horse management challenges. Consider the following scenarios to ensure you and your horse have a safe and healthy winter season.

Scenario #1 – The Slip and Fall

If you have plans for an active winter on horseback, especially with a horse that wears shoes year-round, you'll have to consider the footing around the barn, in the arenas, and on the trails in order to avoid a common winter mishap—the slip and fall.

A horse that falls on ice can easily pull a tendon or ligament, or even sustain a fracture—not to mention injure its rider or handler.  It is not uncommon to see life insurance claims this time of year for horses that are euthanized due to injuries sustained from falls in ice and snow.  In addition, equine insurance companies also often see a rise in Major Medical insurance claims for veterinary expenses related to diagnosing and treating soft tissue injuries that result from simple slips where the horse catches itself before falling, in addition to serious lacerations and contusions that occur when horses fall onto or into something with a sharp edge.

So, what to do if you’re getting ready to work your horse in the arena after a few days off due to inclement weather, and in between you and the arena is an expanse of partially-cleared parking lot covered in snow that has sections packed with snow and ice? How do you get from one place to another without incident?

If it’s truly treacherous, and you can’t determine a relatively clear path between you and the arena, discretion may be the better part of valor, especially if the couple days off have made your horse more enthusiastic or skittish than usual.  Consider giving your horse a thorough grooming and leave it at that.  If there is a somewhat cleared path, first and foremost, lead, don’t ride, your horse to its destination.  You are much safer at the end of a leadline than in the saddle--if the horse starts to slip you have a much better chance of getting clear of half a ton of falling horse if you are already on the ground.   

Next, take it slow—very slow.  You’ll both have a better chance of keeping your feet under you.

What if instead of spending some time working in the arena, you want to enjoy the gorgeous winter day and hit the trail?  Horses often have difficulty coping with balled-up snow packing in their feet, which can lead to uncomfortable foot pressure and sore feet, and can keep the horse from getting enough traction.  To prevent this there are some temporary quick fixes. Hoof boots often aren't as slippery on snow and help prevent snow packing.  Another option is to apply Vaseline, ski wax, or other products to the sole of the hoof to reduce snow packing.

However, if you plan to regularly ride in winter conditions, you will want a more permanent solution.  There are many traction devices available to combat whatever Mother Nature might toss your way. Some people like drive-in caulks, or shoes with permanent caulks attached. Another option is to have your farrier use spots of borium or other composites on the toes and heels of the shoe to give your horse extra grip.

With that in mind, remember that there are some drawbacks to adding permanent traction devices. When taking a step, a horse's foot is designed to make contact with the ground and then slide just slightly. The extra torque created with studs, caulks or other products can prevent that slide and therefore put more strain on the legs than you might expect, which could lead to injury, so it's important to carefully weigh the risks. To evade the snowball effect, there are a variety of rim pad options that have proven effective. You should consult with a trusted farrier and/or your vet to discuss what products and techniques are the most practical and effective for the weather in your area.

If you do hit the trail, remember that when riding on ice or snow to take it slow and monitor whether your horse has good purchase on the footing. On hills, your horse will be better able to balance if you go straight up and down, rather than crabbing sideways. If you get off your horse to lead up or down hills, keep in mind that your own traction might not be so steady. Keep well to the side of your horse so that a fall by one of you isn’t as likely to take the other down as well.

Scenario #2 - Flexibility and Fitness

Another common situation that can lead to a vet call and potentially serious injuries or illnesses is overestimating your horse’s fitness or flexibility. Weather, holidays, and other distractions can keep us out of the saddle for more time than we’d like, or on the flip side keep our horses confined to their stalls for more time than usual. When you finally get the chance to enjoy the local forest preserve, bounce over some fences, or spend some time working cattle, make sure to give your horse enough time to warm-up, and shorten your work time if he begins to feel like he’s lagging a bit. Horses that are tired are more prone to injury because they are more likely to simply take a bad step. In addition, overworked or under-flexible muscles, tendons, and ligaments are more easily injured as a result of taking a wrong step or experiencing a slip and fall.

Scenario #3 - Cabin Fever Complications

Musculoskeletal injuries aren’t the only problems on the rise this time of year.  Horses used to being turned out may not react well to being confined to a stall and/or getting less exercise.  This can result in bad habits, such as stall walking or cribbing.  Horses are social creatures, so try to make sure they have a neighbor nearby.  You might also want to try putting one of the various horse toys in the stall, or even recycle and give them a used plastic gallon milk jug. 

Colic becomes more of a concern this time of year for several reasons.  Dehydration can result when horses reduce their water intake, either because they don’t like the liquid’s frigid temperature, or because they can’t get to the water due to ice.  Make sure to check your horse’s water bucket or tub often to not only make sure it’s accessible (and consider bucket heater de-icers), but also monitor the water level to make sure that the horse is actively drinking.

Overfeeding can also bring on colic, or even laminitis.  If your horse’s workload has significantly decreased due to the weather or a different issue such as injury, consider reducing his feed ration, keeping grain to a minimum and relying mostly on low-protein hay.  Talk to your vet about the most appropriate menu.

Scenario #4 – The Worst Case

Despite all your efforts, you may still find yourself dealing with a worst-case scenario, which is when an equine insurance policy can be invaluable. For more information, including a horse insurance quote, visit our website, especially our Quote,  Horse Insurance FAQ, and More Details pages, or give our office a call at 800-432-1215.

**These blogs are for basic information purposes only, and do not constitute advice from Marshall & Sterling Insurance. Contact our office directly at  800-431-1215 or emacwilliam@marshallsterling.com to speak with an agent for complete and current information regarding all equine insurance coverages.

My Least Favorite Cliche - “Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth”

The idea is that it's rude to closely inspect a gift to see if it meets your standards, such as checking the gift horse’s teeth to determine its age. To extrapolate from that idea, I am amazed at how many people purchase a horse without doing any sort of pre-purchase exam, or if they do some sort of vetting, it’s just a cursory one. And typically the reason they give is because the horse was either a gift, or very inexpensive, such as an off-the-track Thoroughbred or a rescue. Or somewhat perplexing, they will spend tens of thousands of dollars on a horse, but not invest at least a few hundred more for at least a somewhat thorough vet exam. Cost is typically the reason they give. They had already spent $XYZ to buy the horse, and maybe to pay the trainer acting as their agent, transport the horse, etc., and they didn’t want to have to add to that ever-growing dollar figure.

But I can promise you this – I truly believe there is not a more important investment you can make than a thorough pre-purchase exam. Just like there is “no such thing as a free lunch” (one of my favorite clichés), there is no such thing as a free horse. Or a cheap horse. Even if the horse is perfectly sound for the rest of its life, there are still so many expenses, from feed/hay, regular farrier work, basic preventative veterinary care, not to mention tack, equipment, lessons or training, etc. that need to be taken into consideration. If you cannot afford to give your prospective new horse at least that standard of care, you should rethink the idea of purchasing a horse and maybe consider leasing, until you’re sure you are up to the financial (and emotional) commitment of horse ownership.

Providing you are ready for that commitment, are you ready to shell out potentially thousands of dollars if the horse develops some sort of illness or lameness? The least of your problems will be the inconvenience of time out of the saddle and show ring when you find yourself staring down at an invoice for a couple thousand dollars for diagnostics and treatment. And if that treatment isn’t successful, the end result could be a horse that was supposed to spend years with you in the show ring, or out on cross-country, or hunting, or on the trails, that instead spends the rest of its years hanging out as a pasture ornament. Surely, the cost of a thorough pre-purchase exam would have been worth it.

And by thorough, I mean more than just a cursory 15-minute, vital-organs-are-in-working-order exam. Yes, you certainly want to make sure that those vital organs are fully functional – no heart murmurs, respiratory problems, or eye issues. But beyond that you will want a complete neurological exam (to check for any signs of illnesses such as EPM), skin exam (looking for tumors and growths or signs of prior surgery), and maybe even an endoscopic exam if you are concerned about gastric ulcers. Then, you want to make sure to request a comprehensive soundness evaluation that includes hoof testers, flexion tests, and the vet watching the horse at all gaits on the lunge and under saddle. After that, radiographs are imperative. Even if the horse had never taken a bad step up to that point of the evaluation, there could still be potential problems lurking in those joints, such as OCD, bone chips, navicular changes, arthritic changes, and evidence of prior injuries. Digital X-rays run between $50-$100 per view, and yes that will add up, but again, the cost will be well worth if you catch an issue that puts the kibosh on the sale.

Also, if there is any evidence of prior soft tissue injuries, such as thickening or swelling of tendons or ligaments, you will want an ultrasound exam of those areas to make sure any prior injuries are cold and unresponsive, and won’t present concerns for the future.

After all of this is done, keep in mind that you will need to be realistic with regard to the results. Very few horses, especially those with some mileage, will pass a pre-purchase exam with flying colors. It is very likely there will be some dings here and there, at which point you need to discuss with your veterinarian (and possibly a second veterinarian who you can send the radiographs to for a consultation), trainer, and other professionals as to which of these lumps and bumps are acceptable, especially taking into consideration your plans for this horse’s future. If you’re looking at an hour-long trail ride a couple times a week, then your threshold for some minor issues is much higher than someone who is looking at a long-term competition prospect that will be in serious work for many years to come.

The moral of this story? Learn from the mistakes of many horseowners who came before you: Don’t be cheap, even if you are buying a cheap horse. Making the initial investment during the buying process will save you future financial pain and heartbreak. That you can take to the bank.

And of course, once you’ve found the horse of your dreams, consider protecting that financial investment by putting an equine insurance policy in place. To find out more, go to Horse Insurance and FAQs pages. And if you’re interested in a quote, visit our Horse Insurance Quote page.

**These blogs are for basic information purposes only, and do not constitute advice from Marshall & Sterling Insurance. Contact our office directly at  800-431-1215 or emacwilliam@marshallsterling.com to speak with an agent for complete and current information regarding all equine insurance coverages.

Private Horseowner’s Liability Insurance

If you own or rent a house, or own a car, you have liability insurance, right? If not, you should consider coverage if you want to help protect yourself if, for example, legal action is taken against you when a visitor slips down your front steps, or you take your eyes off the road for just a second and cause an accident.

Something you might not have thought about: What about bodily injury or property damages caused by your horse?

Consider…

After riding you are in the process of turning your horse back out into pasture, and some high winds and blowing leaves send him spinning, yanking the lead rope out of your hands and bolting across the field. In his panic he gallops across the road and is hit by a passing car. The occupants of the car are injured, and the car is damaged.

Or…

You’re in the warm-up ring at a competition and your usually unflappable mount gets spooked, taking you by surprise. You hit the ground, and he gallops off to stabling in search of his stall. In the process he knocks down and injures a spectator.

Or…

A friend has been begging you for months to let her take a spin on your horse (“I’ve been riding since I was a kid,” she says). Unfortunately, she’s not quite as experienced as she claims, and when your horse ambles off into a slow trot, she slips off, bouncing in the dirt.

In these types of situations, and many others, you could be pursued legally and possibly held responsible for bodily injury and/or property damage to a third party that is caused by your horse. Depending on the extent of injuries or damages, the dollar figures for compensation could be significant. And in today’s litigious society even if the situation was an unavoidable accident, or the injured party was partially or even totally at fault, if they pursue legal action at the very least you’ll be looking for an attorney to defend you. At worst, you’ll be looking at a settlement or judgment against you.

And if you think a friend, or someone who understands that it really was an accident, won’t pursue you for compensation, keep in mind that they may not have a choice. If they have health insurance and their insurance company finds out the nature of the incident, their health insurance company could “subrogate,” which means that while they’ll pay the injured person’s medical bills, they will then pursue you for reimbursement.

Or, if like millions of people, the person who was injured doesn’t have any health insurance or has inadequate health insurance, they may feel that they have no choice but to try to recoup their expenses through you, especially once they talk to a personal injury attorney, or realize they may be facing bankruptcy as their medical bills pile up.

Let’s face it, our horses are an important part of our lives--a hobby/pastime/addiction into which we happily invest our valuable time and money. But owning and working with horses are also potentially dangerous activities. No matter how careful you are, and how well trained and bomb-proof your horse is, not every situation is in your control and as the cliché goes, “accidents happen.”

That said, insurance exists to help mitigate these risks. First, if you have a Homeowner’s or Farmowner’s policy, check with your insurance agent to see what type of liability coverage you might have under that policy that relates to your horse. Be very specific when you talk to the agent, because some policies may cover while your horse is on your property, but not anywhere else. Or it may not cover if you compete the horse because money can be won, which the insurance company could consider a “commercial” activity, no matter how much you try to convince them that at the end of the day, you are certainly not walking away with a bulging wallet.

If you get an answer from your homeowner’s policy agent that you are covered by your current policy, at home and away, at a boarding facility or on the road at a competition, great, just make sure to get that assurance in writing.

If you find out that no coverage exists under your current policy, or if the coverage is not as comprehensive as you want, then you will want to consider purchasing Liability coverage designed specifically for horseowners, often referred to as Personal or Private Horseowner’s Liability (PHO) policy. The application process usually takes less than five minutes, and depending on the coverage limits, the number of horses you own (or lease), and the insurance company that you place your business with, the annual premium could be as low as $150.

This type of policy is meant to respond in the event your personally owned show/pleasure horse (or potentially a horse that you are leasing) injures a third party or damages their property, and you are considered negligent and are pursued legally for the damages. Some examples of who would NOT be considered a third party (in which case the policy would not respond): someone who is a family member; or someone who is contracted (this does not need to be a formal, written contract) for performing services that involve handling or caring for your horse, such as your vet, farrier, trainer, riding instructor (or these people’s employees), or staff at the boarding facility, etc. In addition, lease situations also get complicated. These are just a few examples. You would want to check with your agent to get more details regarding the specifics of coverage.

In addition, typically this policy is also not intended to cover you if: a) you allow your horse to be used as a lesson horse as part of your or another instructor’s lesson program; or b) you are a professional horse person who teaches, trains, boards, buys/sells horses, etc. In those cases, and potentially others, you would want to consider a Commercial General Liability policy, and possibly a Care, Custody and Control coverage. The agents at Marshall & Sterling’s Equisport Division can help you determine what coverage options are available and appropriate for your situation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you keep your horse(s) on your own property, a PHO policy may not be an appropriate policy for you, since with some insurance companies it is intended for horse owners who board their horses on someone else's property. You will want to talk to an agent to discuss the details.

For more information, call our office at 800-432-1215.

**These blogs are for basic information purposes only, and do not constitute advice, legal or otherwise, from Marshall & Sterling Insurance. Contact our office directly at 800-432-1215 to speak with an agent for complete and current information regarding all equine insurance coverages.

Heat & Horses

On a day when temperatures in areas of the US and Canada are 30+ degrees higher than normal, we could all use as much information as possible to ensure our horses are given the best chance to perform safely and successfully.

This a link to the 2020 USEA article by Dr. David Marlin: https://useventing.com/news-media/news/the-weather-is-heating-up-keep-your-horses-temperature-down

And this is a link to a recent article in The Horse that discusses a study done to determine the best method to cool horses after exercise: https://thehorse.com/1101202/hosing-hot-horses-post-exercise-scrape-off-water-or-reapply/

And of course, once you’ve found the horse of your dreams, consider protecting that financial investment by putting an equine insurance policy in place. To find out more, go to Horse Insurance and FAQs pages. And if you’re interested in a quote, visit our Horse Insurance Quote page.

Stay cool out there!

Horse Insurance - Commonly Asked Questions

While talking about horse insurance to prospective clients every day, our representatives field many of the same questions, so we thought we would share some of the more common equine insurance inquiries in this blog.

1. I just bought a horse that is already insured, does his policy just automatically transfer to me?

OR

I just sold my horse and he’s insured. Will his policy just automatically transfer to his new owner?

Most likely the answer is no. Your insurance policy on a horse that you own is only in effect while you have an insurable interest in the horse. Just like if you sold your car, the insurance on the car would not transfer to the new owner, the same is true of horse insurance. So if you’re selling your horse, the new owners need to see about getting their own insurance in place as of the time of the sale. And conversely, if you are in the process of purchasing a new horse and want to make sure that coverage is in place as soon as you own the horse, make sure to have all the paperwork for your new policy in order and to an equine insurance agent for their review (and hopefully their approval) prior to the purchase so you can make coverage effective the day of the sale.

2.       My horse isn’t registered – can I still insure him? If so, what type of identification can I use?

Yes, there is no problem insuring an unregistered horse.

Some companies do not require identification. For those that do, if your horse isn’t registered you can use a microchip number if one is available. If not, then photos can be used as identification. Typically front and side views are all that are necessary, and if you need a few days to get those to us, that’s fine, we can still see about getting coverage started pending receipt of the photos. And with just about everyone having a smart phone these days (and let's face it, we all love taking photos of our horses), emailing photos to us should hopefully be easy for you.

3.      Do I need a copy of the Bill of Sale to get coverage started on my new horse?

No. We do not need a copy of the bill of sale for our records in order to start a policy, but you definitely want to keep that document on file because in the event of a Mortality claim, the claims adjuster will ask you for proof of the sale and the purchase price.  They may also ask for proof of the financial transaction, such as a cancelled check, receipt, or proof of a wire transfer.

4.       Can I just call and insure my horse over the phone?

This depends on the agency and the insurance company they are placing coverage with. If completed paperwork is required, we make the paperwork as easy to complete as possible. The application can be filled out and signed as a fillable PDF and then emailed to us. Or completed by hand and scanned/emailed, faxed, or even sent as a picture from your smart phone. As long as we can read the application (and all the questions are answered) and it is signed/dated by you, and we have any other required paperwork, we should be able to take care of things quickly.

In some instances (though not many) we may also need a current vet certificate or copy of the pre-purchase exam. See the next question for those details. And if the horse is being leased, we will also need a copy of the Lease Agreement.

5.       Do I have to pay a vet to examine the horse before I can get him insured?

In most cases for sound and healthy horses, you do not.  That said, you will definitely need a current vet certificate (or copy of the pre-purchase exam for a recent purchase) for horses to be insured for over a certain value (typically $50,000- $100,000) or for ages under 6 months or over 15 or 16 (depending on the company). Something from the vet may also be necessary if the horse has had a recent injury or illness that the underwriter would like addressed.

6.       If I have a claim, my horse won’t be insurable any more, right?

In the majority of cases, a claim does not make a horse uninsurable. Typically when the policy is due to expire, the underwriter will review the details of the claim and determine if they will offer renewal (which they usually will), and if so, if any exclusions will apply at renewal. Horse insurance policies are 12-month term policies, and are underwritten every year.  So issues that occur during the policy period can be considered pre-existing, and therefore excluded, on the next year’s policy.  This can be confusing, as it is unlike human health insurance policies, so you will want to talk to your agent to make sure you understand the renewal process and any exclusions.

7.       OK, then if my horse has a minor leg injury, the whole leg is going to be excluded forever, right?

In most cases, this would not be the case. Providing the injury has been diagnosed and the underwriters have sufficient information to work with, they will typically exclude for the injury that has occurred, such as deep digital flexor tendon - right front, not the whole right front leg. Exclusions on horse insurance policies vary depending on the situation and the insurance company, but the underwriters do try to be as specific as is reasonably possible.

8.       I had a friend who walked into her barn one morning and found her horse lying dead its stall. She said that the insurance company required a necropsy.  Is a necropsy always required?  If so, do I have to pay for it?

If you are unfortunate enough to be in this type of situation, you first want to give the insurance company’s claims office a call immediately. They can then advise you on how to follow the provisions of the policy to ensure the best result. If the horse was previously healthy and the death is unexpected, then a necropsy will definitely be required, and those costs are not covered by your policy, so you would pay out of pocket.  If the horse had been ill/injured and under a vet’s care, there is the possibility that a necropsy may not be necessary, if the cause of death is definitive, or a more limited necropsy will be allowed, but that will be determined by the insurance company depending on the specifics of the case.

If you find yourself in this situation—do not dispose of the horse’s body without contacting the insurance company and determining if a necropsy is required, otherwise you will void coverage under your policy. Claims adjusters are available around the clock, including nights and weekends, and will do their best to help you through this type of heartbreaking situation.

9.       My horse was a little girthy and grumpy. The vet thought it might be gastric ulcers, so we just gave him a course of medication without doing any diagnostics. Would that be covered under my  Equine Medical coverage?

Most likely, this would not be covered. If your equine medical insurance covers gastric ulcers, it is very likely that the insurance company will require a definitive diagnosis of gastric ulcers by an endoscopic exam performed by a vet before they cover the costs of the medication to treat the ulcers (and then there will likely be a dollar limit for the amount of coverage for treatment). If your vet suspects that your horse has gastric ulcers and wants to treat without an endoscopic exam, before starting treatment you should contact your insurance company and consult with an adjuster to determine what the company will require in order for coverage to respond.

10.   I don’t know what limit of Medical/Surgical type of coverage I should get. Any advice?

This question comes up quite often, and the answer varies based on what limits are even available (some companies will not offer a Medical/Surgical coverage limit higher than the horse’s insured value on the Equine Mortality policy), your budget, your comfort level, and past history. Some people want the peace of mind of knowing that a worst case scenario will be covered as much as possible, and therefore will purchase the highest limit of coverage allowed. Others would rather save some money and purchase a lower limit, hedging their bets that they won’t need the coverage, or if they do, it won’t be for a catastrophic scenario. And that even if that worst case scenario happens, they feel comfortable that they have the funds (or credit card balance) to handle expenses not covered by their horse insurance. And for those horseowners who have experienced an unfortunate run of bad luck with a previous horse, their past history often informs their decisions and they will want a high limit. In our experience, the $7,500 and $10,000 limits are most popular, but those may not be suitable for you, especially if you’re concerned about a worst case scenario.

11.   I just bought my horse, but I think I may want to save some money on the premium and insure him for less than the purchase price. What do most people do in that situation?

Generally most people insure a new horse for its purchase price, but certainly not always. Keep in mind that the process of introducing a horse to a new location, new feed, new barn mates, turnout, etc., can be tricky. Most likely no damage will be done in those first days and weeks, but change can be difficult for some horses. Like with Medical/Surgical coverage limits, how much you insure your horse for is a very personal decision, and will be based on your budget, your comfort level, and past history. Also, take into consideration that if heaven forbid your newly purchased horse dies, and you have insured for less than his purchase price, are you able to afford to absorb that financial loss?  

12.   I had a bad experience in the past with a horse that had colic surgery. There were serious complications and he died. I would not put another horse through that. So if I insure my horse and he colics, and I choose to put him down instead of surgery (or if because I don’t approve surgery, he dies as a result), would my Equine Mortality insurance policy still cover.

Probably not. When you purchase an equine insurance policy, you have made an agreement with an insurance company, and one of your responsibilities is to provide your horse with the care necessary to save its life. If the veterinarians recommend surgery (or other treatments) in order to save the horse, and you choose not to pursue those treatments, which results in the horse's death, or you choose to euthanize the horse, most likely the equine mortality policy will not respond. Now if your vet recommends euthanasia, this could be a different set of circumstances, as the policy does cover for humane destruction, providing the circumstances it meet the policy's requirements. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure to contact the insurance company’s claims office immediately and work with an adjuster to determine how the policy will respond.

To get more information on insuring your horse, go to the Equisport FAQs and Equine Mortality Coverage pages. To see about getting a free equine insurance quote, go to the Equisport Quote page.

**These blogs are for basic information purposes only, and do not constitute advice from Marshall & Sterling - Equisport Division. Contact our office directly at (800) 432-1215 or AFoster@Marshallsterling.com to speak with an agent for complete and current information regarding all equine insurance coverages.