Riding School/Trail Riding Insurance

[Tia]

Following on from another thread where I was surprised about the age of an animal used for the general public to ride, can anyone over there in the UK tell me whether there are any clauses in insurance regarding age of any horses/ponies used for the paying public?

Over here in North America insurance is pretty much set out the same regardless of which insurance company you use. Any horse being ridden by the public where they are paying to ride this horse, must be 5 years and older. I am not allowed to put any paying customer on a horse younger than 5 years old.

I am, however, as owner, allowed to ride any age of horse, even if I am the guide.

So, are there any insurance stipulations regarding age of ridden horses for paying customers in the UK? Seems like a law suit just waiting to happen if not.

 

[Honeypots]

Not sure but my daughter has ridden a 4 yr old at her RS to help introduce him to the school. This often happens with the quieter, more competent riders.. She wouldn't put just anyone on them tho

 

[Tia]

Does your daughter pay to ride these horses though? And do you know if the insurance covers her if she were to have an accident?

 

[teapot]

Think it's 4 or 5 Tia for both insurance and then the liscensing by the local county council. Remember my old boss telling me about it ages ago. But the horses have had to have the right length of time to be introduced to the riding school etc.

Saying that, I occasionally used sit on the new horses (not ponies) due to my height

That would be both paid lessons and free ones. May well have changed now.

 

[Honeypots]

[ QUOTE ]
Does your daughter pay to ride these horses though? And do you know if the insurance covers her if she were to have an accident?

[/ QUOTE ]

She rides these horses in her paid for lesson.
I'm ashamed to say it never occured to me that she wouldn't be insured. The RS is excellent and the owner very precious about her horses and ponies (and riders). They are show ponies through the summer and hunt in winter and I would be very surprised if she were not covered..HOWEVER, I WILL be checking with her next lesson

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

looks like probably not tia as said horse is rising 3(is 2 but i don't know how close to 3 it is)

 

[Tia]

Thanks for that Teapot. I know that decades ago when I was learning to ride, I used to ride 3 year olds and suchlike in my lessons, but I had thought those days were gone now whatwith the sue culture rearing it's ugly head.

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

I used to ride instructors 3yo on a paid lesson with her while she was working but i didnt know there was a certain age the horse had to be to claim on insurance.

 

[teapot]

[ QUOTE ]
looks like probably not tia as said horse is rising 3(is 2 but i don't know how close to 3 it is)

[/ QUOTE ]

There is definately a legal age for hacking out I know that. Plus escort horses are not meant to be babies, know that as have had numerous discussions about it.

Tia - I'll find out a definate answer for you tonight as my best mate would know

 

[Tia]

Oh no, don't feel bad, sorry

, I was just trying to ascertain whether insurance covered them or not. If the truth be known, I may well not have thought about it either had I not gone into this business.

I can allow anyone to ride any of my horses, whether they be 3 or 4 and still be totally covered by my insurance...providing they do not pay me to go out with them. They can still pay me to ride the horse but I am not allowed to accompany them - weird huh? Something to do with me being liable because I am with them and supposed to be in charge, whereas if they are on their own, then they are responsible for whatever happens.

We also have an entitiy similar to BHS here and members are covered by their insurance too, so it is always advisable to have any riders become members of it.

 

[Tia]

Thanks Teapot

.

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
looks like probably not tia as said horse is rising 3(is 2 but i don't know how close to 3 it is)

[/ QUOTE ]

There is definately a legal age for hacking out I know that. Plus escort horses are not meant to be babies, know that as have had numerous discussions about it.

Tia - I'll find out a definate answer for you tonight as my best mate would know

[/ QUOTE ]

Definately no lessons hacking out on roads or woods on the pony.

 

[xnaughtybutnicex]

I'm assuming the RS pays on the insurance for use of young horses in indoor school(no hacking) as they do get a few youngsters in but TBH they get used on group lessons and follow each other in circles anyway so don't really do all the babyish spooking and stuff.