[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference noted::equitation

Title:Equine Notes Conference
Notice:Topics List=4, Horses 4Sale/Wanted=150, Equip 4Sale/Wanted=151
Moderator:MTADMS::COBURNIO
Created:Tue Feb 11 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2080
Total number of notes:22383

1160.0. "Insure or not to insure..." by TOMCAT::MURPHY () Tue Jan 23 1990 20:09

    ...that is the question.
    
    I am about to sign a 1/2 lease on a horse in Pelham NH and after having
    read the lease agreement am now wondering if I should carry insurance
    or not.  Maybe someone with experience in this area could help me ?
    The lease pretty much states that if something happens to the horse due
    to my negligence, I'm responsible for the associated costs.  This is on 
    paper.  The owner further explained though that her interpretation of
    this is..."if you are riding the trails and the horse breaks her leg,
    you are responsible".  I'm not certain if this sounds like the norm as
    far as leases go or if this is to the extreme.  Anyone have any
    thoughts ?
    
    With the above...should I get some insurance just in case ?  Is 
    insurance on a horse expensive ?  Anyone know of an insurance company
    I could call to discuss this further with ?
    
    Any help would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
     Bill M.
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1160.1LEASESASABET::NICKERSONKATHIE NICKERSON 223-2025Wed Jan 24 1990 08:4818
    Question...if you are only half leasing the horse why are you totally
    responsible if something happens to the horse?
    
    I understand that each lease is different...ours usually run that the
    person leasing the horse (haven't had half leases) is responsible for
    all vet bills incurred by the horse including general maintenance.  Now
    there are certainly some exceptions to that, for example, if the horse
    has to have colic surgery...that to me is the decision of the owner
    whether or not to proceed, etc.  Now if the horse breaks a leg and
    there is no obvious neglect on the part of the rider (as these things
    do happen), then I wouldn't hold the person responsible.
    
    But as I said every lease is different but I feel that if you don't own
    the horse then you aren't totally responsible for anything that might
    happen to it.
    
    Good luck.
    
1160.2Who protects the horse? The leasor!MED::D_SMITHWed Jan 24 1990 10:5628
    
    We in a current lease have stated it " The leasee has full
    responsibility of the horse WHILE IN THEIR CARE. If the horse requires
    veterinary attention do to an injury while in the care of the leasee,
    the leasee will asume all cost and responsibilities". There is a
    relacement cost included as well, agreed apon between the two parties.
    
    The owner must be covered in someway. If the leasee went galloping thru
    an unexplored field and ran the horse into a chuck hole, breaking
    it's leg to the point where it would have to be put down, who should
    be held responsible. Wouldn't it be common sense on the leasee's
    part to know better than this. This is pure neglegants and the leasee
    should be held responsible. But on a different note, if the leasee
    was hit by a car, I wouldn't hold it against them because I think
    we all know how curtious our state drivers are. 
    
    I believe with such a statement, it will keep the leasee thinking 
    twice about safe riding for the horse! How do you drive a leased 
    car compared to your own car? If you dropped a but head on the 
    leased car carpet, "oh well". Drop that head on your own car carpet, 
    and the brakes are on till stopped.
    
    It's to incourage common sense and carefullness on the leasee's
    part. After all, what it comes down to is safety for the horse.
                                       
    
    Dave'
    
1160.3Insurance - YES or NOWOODRO::ZAHNDThu Feb 01 1990 11:1127
    Before my daughter owned our horse, we used to lease horses. I was
    afraid of just signing any lease. Therefore, we leased horses from the
    barn, where my daughter took her lessons. These were always short
    term and we were responsible for the Vet, Farrier and the proper
    care. I had a clause in my lease agreement; If the horse was to go 
    lame because of strain or who knows...I would have to pick up the 
    vet cost for 30 days after. Then the horse would be sent back to the 
    owner. If it was my obvius fault, then I would have been responsible
    for the horses total well being. You will find getting insurance
    is very expensive. If you wanted "Medical coverage, it is almost
    not payable. Second choice is "Mortal". When the horse dies, you
    MIGHT get some money. Or you can choose the third option, "trailering"
    only. This is the cheapest. 
    Sometimes you have to make a "judgement of the person" you lease
    from, to feel good about a lease. I always leased from people that
    were as horse crazy as we were. We always had the same ideas and
    in general the expected the same things out of a lease. 
    One person requested to come and see the place the horse was going
    and watch my daughter take care of it. Fine, we had no problems
    with this. 
    You don't take chances with your horse, don't take chances with
    other horses. If you own a sportscar and keep it clean and well
    running, do the same with a horse.
    
    Ruth