An insurance question - schooling other people's horses for them...

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mystiandsunny

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So, I get asked to back/bring on ponies fairly often for YO/friends as I'm small, light and a teacher so have time in school hols/half terms etc. I enjoy doing it, and generally get them to the 'hacking nicely solo, on the bit in the school, calm and polite, popping small jumps' stage. Thing is though, OH has been moaning that I should have some sort of insurance for doing this. I don't usually take any payment (mostly trade time or chores), but do kind of see his point that it would be a good idea.

So - what sort of insurance do I need, and where do I get it from? Is it expensive? Help!!
 
My friend does this too- I think she contacted the BHS who advised on insurance- I'm not sure if she even got her insurance through them?
She charges though so i dont know if this makes a difference?
I help with other peoples horses and sometimes ride for them and my livery yard owner has put me as a named person on her policy so i am covered to handle anything at the yard.
 
The other thing i should have mentioned is that i only ride other peoples horses when the horse itself is insured third party (incase of a road accident etc not so much for myself- thats my problem!)
 
Yes you do and its not cheap.

You need to be covered regardless of payment, you are offering a service. At the very minimum you need care and custody as assuming you bring in and tack up other peoples horses, public liability in case you have an accident on the road etc, you also need to make sure that the facilities you are using to bring on horse/pony are correctly insured and paying business rates etc as this can invalidate your insurance (something I have out recently through someone elses misfortune). You also need to consider insurance if you are injured protection of earnings, health care etc.

Stoneways and NFU are very good, give them a call explain what you are doing and they will advise you of minimum cover that you need.
 
I'm in a similar position but i'll be exercising someones horse and paying towards upkeep and have been advised to be included in owners insurance. I guess you wouldn't want to do this with every owner though, as i thought if the chance comes to take on another horse.

I'm looking into the insurance route though, will keep informed of any info i get.
 
WHW and BHS memberships both give you riders insurance, which cover you for personal injury and public liability. Probably a good idea to have this. Neither memberships are hugely costly, about £50 for the year I believe.:)
 
Spudlet said:
WHW and BHS memberships both give you riders insurance, which cover you for personal injury and public liability. Probably a good idea to have this. Neither memberships are hugely costly, about £50 for the year I believe.:)
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NOT if you're being paid - in cash OR in kind!!

We take a lot of horses for backing and schooling and in addition to my employer's liability (as I have staff), my public liability AND my normal yard insurance I have 'care & control' AND 'product' liability (the latter if someone sues me because I did a lousy job :D)

The employer's liability is the VERY expensive bit -I recently changed to KBIS and saved £600+ on my previous insurers! It does cost me around £2,500 year -but that includes my yard buildings insurance,£20,000 worth of tack, 3 full-time employees, some machinery and a horse trailer, and the public liability for about 60 horses on the place at any one time!
 
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