Money available in emergencies?

[glenruby]

I have plenty in the bank for emergencies. Would never put a horse though colic surgery or pretty much any serious op though and would always get the hunt to shoot/dispose.

As for insurance - I actually did ask a client if she was insured today - after we agreed and discussed that a full work up was now necessary for diagnosis/rognosis. Pony has been lame for ~a mth and worsening after 10days rest. Literally the last question I asked - only so that I could warn her that this would be expensive (if that would bother her). I do regularly forget that insurance exists - never a regular question with me, but always a relief to hear a horse is insured. Its usually information that is volunteered rather than asked in my exerience.
I would also say that I dont think there would be much difference in vet charges if insurance didnt exist - you have no idea of the overheads that vet practices have (even in equine compared to small animal). My professional indemnity insurance covers me to the tune of several million - that sort of insurance is very very expensive but absolutely necessary. I think living in a blame generation may have a greater bearing on veterinary costs.

 

[nativetyponies]

You and me both Glenruby..colic surgery is a definite no-no with me as well.

 

[Silverspring]

A few grand in savings bond which can be redeemed within 7 days, credit cards could cover the cost til then. I have an older horse so I would never put her under the knife and should she seriosuly injure herself she would be PTS rather than attempt box resting (she doesn't do stabling) so I know £4k should cover anything that comes up but I could get more from credit cards or family if needed.

Personally, I think it's irresponsible to have a horse (or any other pet for that matter) and not either have full insurance or a fair whack of savings to cover emergencies. I know people that don't have either and I do wonder what they would do in the case of emergeny colic or fracture bones etc :s

 

[nikicb]

Three weeks ago my horse got kicked. He's not insured and I had planned to stash money away each month to fund vet bills, but sadly I'd only owned him a few weeks at the time and still hadn't paid off the credit card bill from buying him.

I had to use another credit card, but knew OH would have lent me the cash if I'd needed it.

Hospital bill for a two week stay was paid the other day at £2800, I'm still waiting for the vet (3 call outs and still a few more weeks of treatment - vet out every couple of days -to go) and transport bills to come in.

When he's back in work he's getting insured...

You bought a horse on a credit card?

 

[nikicb]

I have plenty in the bank for emergencies. Would never put a horse though colic surgery or pretty much any serious op though and would always get the hunt to shoot/dispose.

You and me both Glenruby..colic surgery is a definite no-no with me as well.

Just wondering why. My mare had colic surgery 10 years ago and she is still with me (now 34). I had no second thoughts then. Wouldn't do it now, but that's because she's 34 and I wouldn't want to put her through it.

ETA she wasn't insured at the time either as she was too old.

 

[bigboyrocky]

Personally, I think it's irresponsible to have a horse (or any other pet for that matter) and not either have full insurance or a fair whack of savings to cover emergencies. I know people that don't have either and I do wonder what they would do in the case of emergeny colic or fracture bones etc :s

If we were pretty well off, i think i would be saying the same, as i would never want a horse to suffer or go without. However, if my horse *needs* something, he has it. Even if we cant afford it, we find a way be that loans from friends/family or whatever... When I have left education and pay for him myself however, i would definatly want to be pretty financially secure as dont like the thought of asking for help form other people.

And to answer the question... in any other situation, we would probably have to wait a couple of months to get a grand together, however if he needed surgery or anything from the vets of that matter, we'd find it.

 

[RuthnMeg]

Personally, I think it's irresponsible to have a horse (or any other pet for that matter) and not either have full insurance or a fair whack of savings to cover emergencies. I know people that don't have either and I do wonder what they would do in the case of emergeny colic or fracture bones etc :s

I am one of those irresponsible owners you speak of.... yeah, so I don't have £1k floating about, in fact at the mo I don't have £100, but you know what, it's been like that for years, and I've managed. I've been lucky, I haven't needed massive vet treatment for any of my horses YET. No doubt it will happen one day, but we will cross that bridge when we come to it. We have 1 car, would like 2 but hey ho. I have to ferry my OH about, the kids and pay the rent because like alot of people can't afford the deposit. My 3 horses live out 24/7 at less than £7 per week. What is important is that they are happy and healthy. I don't ride during the winter cos I can't afford the shoeing, I have a single trailer cos there is no way I can afford a 4x4 to tow a double. Are people who own animals but really haven't got money irresponsible?? NO, I don't think so. What we are, is previlaged to have such graceful animals in our lives. Many people have animals, have money and those animals are not cared for - surely thats worse. Don't put me for one in 'your irresponsible bracket', cos I ain't one of them.
And, just for the record, my OH has briefly looked through this thread with me, and is not surprised many of you have that much monsy floating about = he says, horsey people are wealthy, and asks whats your secret to having cash floating about??

ps, yeah, iam abit miffed reading through this thread.. I will go away and breathe now.

 

[Ravenwood]

Ruthnmeg - don't get in a flap! I was like you for years - and like you, thankfully for me I have never had a huge vet bill. But like I said before, for hundreds of years we lived without insurance, I don't have any insured animals. Its only in the last few years that people have paid ridiculous prices for veterinary treatment.

I have plenty of money in the bank (but only since OH left ) If your OH is reading - make him take note!!!

But as already said above - its not often that emergency treatment is needed and you have to question whether your animal's quality of life will supercede this.

For example - my lab (OK not a horse) was diagnosed with OCD in his elbows at 6 months old. We had xrays, very expensive consultations with top vets etc etc who offered an operation at the cost of £1500 plus meds plus vat etc etc. This was to one elbow. The chances of success were only about 65% and of course then his other elbow might go as well - hence another op! And it did!

I declined and I was threatened by the vets that he wouldn't live past the age of 5.

Well - let me tell you - he is now 7 yrs old and leads a full working life He is on supplements, never had an op and is as happy as Larry.

Vets always give the worst case scenario - I guess they have to but quite often there are successful ways and means around this.

But again - would I put a horse through intensive surgery? Not sure that I would to be honest.

 

[marmalade76]

Would never put a horse though colic surgery or pretty much any serious op though and would always get the hunt to shoot/dispose.

Ditto that.

As for the grand - I could find most of it without even going to the bank.

 

[Ilovefoals]

I would have to ask the bank of dad I'm afraid as currently going thru a house falling down and needing a new roof situation!

I have all 4 horses insured and have been grateful of it on many occasions! As a 3 day old foal, Lola nearly died of Clostridium infection but as I hadn't had a chance to arrange any insurance, I had to pay for her £2700 worth of treatment myself. Or rather, my Dad did. However, I've been with my vet a long time and they would have let me pay it in installments if need be.

I'm not sure I agree that it's irresponsible if people haven't got cash to cover emergencies. It doesn't mean that they wont do the right thing by their animals. It just might take them longer to pay their bills. And if the vets are happy with that, what does it matter?

I'm sentimental when it comes to having an animal pts so I would have it done by injection and I would have them cremated.