Unexpected vet bills when sharing a horse??

[Me_and_Horses]

Hi, I am thinking about sharing a horse a few months after quarantine is over, and I am wondering about what happens if there is an unexpected vet bill. Would the owner pay, or would it be split between the owner and the sharer? And also does it depends on who is looking after the horse when it happens?
Thanks in advance

 

[P.forpony]

Good to be thinking of in advance.
It’s the sort of thing I’d expect to be thoroughly covered in a written share agreement.
If I was sharing mine I wouldn’t expect a sharer to be obliged to meet the cost or contribute towards a non routine bill unless as a result of their negligence.
Eg you leave tacked up horse unattended in stable it rolls and damages saddle you pay for it.
But something like a field injury, I would expect to pay for myself.

 

[PSD]

I wouldn’t expect a sharer to pay unless it was down to their error like PFP said. But make sure you have a contract where it clearly states what you’re liable for and if you’re not happy with it don’t sign until you are.

 

[Dusty 123]

When I was younger I used to share a horse before getting my own I didn’t have to pay any vet bills . I would ask before singing anything if there is a contract (I didn’t have one and I now loads of people who share horses and don’t have a contract) it’s very important that you now what you paying for and if there is no contract you should ask about vet bills.

 

[chaps89]

As well as the above, which are all good points, I have rider insurance. This includes an amount towards emergency vet fees if the horse is injured whilst in my care.
Worth thinking about as a back up perhaps but definitely best talked through with the owner and covered in the share agreement too.

 

[Shay]

It should be clearly specified in the contract. When I was sharing out our now retired PC pony the sharer had no responsibility for vets bills unless the event arose out of their negligence. Not an accident when they had charge of him or something that is just one of those things - only if they had caused it. We shared him out for 10 years - taking most of his sharers to PC Nat Champs (that was sort of what he was for..) we never had to ask a sharer to pay a vets bill.

 

[Orangehorse]

You should get Rider Insurance anyway. Regarding vet's bills, this is something to be discussed with the owner and covered in the contract. It is very good to be thinking of all the "what ifs" and hope that they don't happen, but sometimes they do. Good luck.

 

[Shay]

Bear in mind rider insurance is very limited when it comes to vets bills. Its primarily a personal accident scheme. Obviously insurers differ but it is usually a very limited amount to cover you if an accident happens when you are actually riding the horse. Nothing long term It really won't help you if your share agreement landed you with a big vets bill.

By way of example - petplan covers you for £1,500 max, for an accident when you were actually riding. Limited to the first 24 hours and really covering only emergency attendancee, transport or euthanasia. It also excludes anything where there has been a previous incident or clinical signs. So fine if you are hit by a car. Useless if the horse damages a tendon or similar. Animal Freinds (caution - look for previous threads on thisinsurer) is the same but cover is max £1000.

NFU is a bit more extensive with a max cover of £2,000 and including 50% contribution to ongoing treatement - but the max cover amount drops to £600 if the horse is over 16. And of course excludes anything pre exisiting etc.

KBIS don't cover vets fees at all - its only personal accident / injury. Shearwater the same. So is SEIB. Always read the samell print!

 

[Me_and_Horses]

Thanks everyone, I will make sure that everything is clearly stated in the contract ?