PeterNatt
Well-Known Member
A leading equine insurer has warned that it may reject claims involving 'horses' feet when the animal has had hoof care from anyone other than a registered farrier.
NFU Mutual's move is clearly directed at owners choose to keep and ride horses without shoes and often use use so-called 'barefoot trimmers' to tend to their horses feet.
"We fully support owners who choose not to have their animals shod, which is why our policy wording refers to 'regular foot care' rather than 'regular showing" Nicola Whittaker of NFU Mutual told ETN.
"We refer to a 'registered farrier' to avoid unregistered and unqualified farriers carrying out farriery - which is illegal under the Farriers 9 Registration Act 1975 in this way, we can be certain that the person caring for the horse's feet has the appropriate qualification and experience".
"Should a policyholder choose to use someone other than a registered farrier to provide foot care for their animal, then in the event of a claim involving or related to the foot, the NFU Mutual could repudiate the claim".
"If a claim related specifically to the horse's foot, for example, in the case of Lameness due to foot imbalance, then NFU Mitual would want to reassure itself that the person who had carried out any shoeing or trimming of the horse's feet was suitably trained and qualified to provide this care and had not inadvertently contributed to the problem"
From Equestrian Trade News April 2012
NFU Mutual's move is clearly directed at owners choose to keep and ride horses without shoes and often use use so-called 'barefoot trimmers' to tend to their horses feet.
"We fully support owners who choose not to have their animals shod, which is why our policy wording refers to 'regular foot care' rather than 'regular showing" Nicola Whittaker of NFU Mutual told ETN.
"We refer to a 'registered farrier' to avoid unregistered and unqualified farriers carrying out farriery - which is illegal under the Farriers 9 Registration Act 1975 in this way, we can be certain that the person caring for the horse's feet has the appropriate qualification and experience".
"Should a policyholder choose to use someone other than a registered farrier to provide foot care for their animal, then in the event of a claim involving or related to the foot, the NFU Mutual could repudiate the claim".
"If a claim related specifically to the horse's foot, for example, in the case of Lameness due to foot imbalance, then NFU Mitual would want to reassure itself that the person who had carried out any shoeing or trimming of the horse's feet was suitably trained and qualified to provide this care and had not inadvertently contributed to the problem"
From Equestrian Trade News April 2012