Considering the worst-case scenarios of horse ownership is uncomfortable, but knowing your horses are covered with a comprehensive health insurance plan can provide peace of mind.
When selecting a provider, research their policies, customer reviews, and financial stability. Read the fine print, paying particular attention to limits, deductibles, and exclusions.
Preventive Care
Horse owners have long known that health insurance for horses is essential to owning a horse. It helps to protect against scenarios ranging from having to call a vet to your place to your horse needing significant time off from work or even a life-threatening illness.
Most major medical/surgical policies are available at flat rates based on the coverage limit, deductible, and policy details. These policies typically come in addition to a mortality policy but are different because they usually exclude preexisting conditions and have annual renewal periods.
Emergency Care
Treating a horse is expensive, so it pays to have insurance. While preventive care is an excellent way to keep a horse healthy, unexpected emergencies that require immediate attention and treatment can occur.
Depending on the policy, primary medical/surgical coverage is similar to human health insurance and covers the cost of things like X-rays, ultrasounds, and MRIs. This usually requires a deductible, the amount you must pay before the insurance kicks in.
Some mortality policies include Emergency Colic Surgery coverage, a helpful add-on for owners with horses at risk of colic. Approximately 900,000 horses are colic each year in the United States. This type of insurance typically costs about 50% more than a full mortality policy.
Hospitalization
In a hospital, veterinarians have more room to accommodate sick or injured horses for extended periods. This enables them to run more comprehensive tests and provide care for a broader range of conditions than can be done in a clinic.
Hospitals are also open more hours into the night and over the weekend than most clinics can be, so they can provide emergency care for your horse whenever needed.
While mortality coverage is not an enjoyable part of being a horse owner, it’s a necessary one for protecting you from significant financial losses due to the death of your beloved animal. Most policies also include primary medical/surgical coverage for a flat fee. However, this type of policy usually excludes preexisting conditions and requires a review and underwriting process each year.
Surgical Care
Like human health insurance, pet policies come with a deductible that you must pay out of pocket before your plan starts to reimburse. Most insurance companies offer annual deductibles, while others have a per-incident deductible you must meet each time you make a claim.
If your horse gets colic and needs emergency surgery, a full mortality policy may reimburse 80% to 100% of the total cost of care after you meet the policy’s deductible. This is a significant benefit for owners who can’t afford to pay out of pocket for the costly surgical procedures that colic can require.
Alternatives to equine health insurance are available in the form of veterinary membership discount programs and medical credit cards. However, neither option requires underwriting, exams, or many stipulations that a proper insurance plan does.
Specialty Care
Horses require special care and attention. They can be unpredictable, with peaks and valleys in their health.
Like human patients, horses are often referred to a specialist by their primary care veterinarian. These specialists spend four years in school, followed by an internship and residency in their specific area of expertise.
They have the skills and tools to diagnose and treat many complex conditions, including cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, orthopedic injuries, and neurological disorders.
Primary medical/surgical coverage for horses is similar to the insurance people purchase for themselves and their dogs. It is usually offered as an add-on to mortality insurance. Most policies do not reimburse alternative therapies, such as chiropractic and acupuncture. However, some companies consider them on a case-by-case basis.