Owning a horse brings immense reward, but it also carries significant responsibility and risk. Horses are valuable, powerful, and unpredictable animals. They may become ill, suffer injuries, cause damage to property, or even injure other people. As a result, having appropriate insurance cover is vital—not only for financial protection but also to comply with legal obligations and uphold your duty of care.
While horse insurance is not always a legal requirement, certain policies are strongly recommended—or effectively mandatory—depending on how your horse is kept, used, and managed. At Blackstone Solicitors, we advise equine owners, yard managers, and riders across England and Wales on how to stay protected and legally compliant.
This article outlines the key types of insurance horse owners should consider, including public liability, veterinary cover, transport, and more.
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- Is Horse Insurance a Legal Requirement in the UK?
There is currently no statutory requirement in the UK to insure a privately owned horse for general use. However, horse owners and keepers are still legally liable for any damage, injury or loss caused by their horse.
Under the Animals Act 1971, you may be strictly liable for harm caused by your horse even if it has never shown aggressive or dangerous tendencies. This means you can be held financially responsible for injuries or damage—even when no fault can be proven—simply because of your ownership or control of the animal.
Because of this, public liability insurance is widely regarded as essential, and often required by:
- Livery yards
- Riding clubs
- Event organisers
- Landowners allowing access to private bridleways
Some riding establishments or competitions will not allow participation without proof of adequate insurance.
- Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance protects you if your horse causes injury to a third party or damage to someone else’s property. This could include:
- Kicking or biting someone
- Causing a car accident if it escapes onto a road
- Damaging a fence, stable, or tack belonging to another person
Liability claims can run into tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds, particularly if a person is seriously injured or disabled.
Public liability cover typically includes:
- Legal defence costs
- Compensation payments
- Costs for accidental property damage
Legal Insight: Even if your horse is loaned out, kept at livery, or used occasionally by others, you may still be liable for its actions under the Animals Act. Public liability insurance can provide peace of mind and financial protection.
- Veterinary Fees Cover
Veterinary treatment can be expensive, especially in emergency situations or for surgical procedures. Veterinary fees insurance covers the cost of treatment for illness or injury, including:
- Diagnostic tests and X-rays
- Surgery and hospitalisation
- Lameness investigations
- Colic treatment
- Medication and aftercare
There are various levels of cover, with exclusions and caps depending on the policy. Some will not cover pre-existing conditions or routine care such as vaccinations and dental checks.
You should check:
- Maximum claim amounts per condition or per year
- Excesses and contribution percentages
- Any exclusions for age, breed, or use
Legal Consideration: Ensuring your horse receives appropriate and timely veterinary care is part of your legal duty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. Insurance helps ensure that financial concerns do not delay necessary treatment.
- Death, Theft, and Loss of Use Cover
Many insurers offer policies to protect against financial loss if your horse:
- Dies from illness or injury
- Is stolen
- Needs to be euthanised
- Can no longer be used for its intended purpose (e.g. competition or breeding)
This can be particularly important if your horse has high financial value or forms part of your business activities.
Loss of use insurance will provide a percentage of the horse’s insured value if it becomes permanently incapable of fulfilling its insured purpose due to illness or accident.
Important factors to consider:
- How value is assessed (market vs. purchase price)
- Whether euthanasia must be approved by the insurer
- Requirements for microchipping and passports
Keep all medical and purchase records up to date to support any future claims.
- Personal Accident Insurance
Horse riding is inherently risky, and riders can suffer serious injuries even from minor falls. Personal accident insurance provides compensation if the owner or rider is injured while handling or riding a horse. Cover can include:
- Lump sum payments for serious injuries or death
- Weekly payments if you are unable to work
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
Policies may apply to the owner, rider, or anyone named in the policy. This type of cover is particularly important for those who ride regularly, take part in competitions, or run equine businesses.
Legal Note: If someone else rides your horse—such as a sharer or loaner—you should ensure they are adequately insured or included under your policy. It can also be sensible to include this requirement in any written loan or share agreement.
- Horse Transport Insurance
Horses are frequently transported for competitions, vet appointments, breeding, and sales. If you use a horsebox or trailer, consider insurance to cover:
- Damage to the horsebox/trailer
- Injury to the horse in transit
- Third-party road liability
If your horse is transported by a third-party operator, they should hold specialist equine transport insurance. Always check this before booking services.
UK law also requires that:
- Horseboxes are roadworthy and correctly registered
- You have appropriate vehicle insurance and, if applicable, an operator’s licence
- Drivers have the correct licence for the size of the vehicle
Failure to comply could invalidate insurance or result in prosecution.
- Insurance for Equine Businesses and Yards
If you operate a livery yard, riding school, stud farm or competition centre, your insurance needs are more complex. You will require:
- Employers’ liability insurance (a legal requirement if you employ staff)
- Commercial public liability insurance
- Care, custody and control insurance for horses belonging to clients
- Property and equipment cover for stables, arenas, tack, and machinery
Specialist business insurance should be tailored to your operation’s size, services, and risks. Blackstone Solicitors regularly advises equine businesses on legal liability, contracts, and risk management in conjunction with appropriate insurance cover.
- Loan and Share Agreements – Who Insures the Horse?
Where a horse is loaned, shared, or leased, clear arrangements must be made regarding insurance. Questions to address include:
- Who is responsible for paying insurance premiums?
- Who is covered under the policy?
- What happens if the horse is injured or stolen while with the loaner?
- Is personal accident insurance included?
These arrangements should be formalised in a written agreement. In disputes, courts will look at the terms of any contract to decide who is liable for costs or damage.
At Blackstone Solicitors, we draft and review equine loan, share, and lease agreements to ensure they reflect the parties’ intentions and provide legal protection.
- Making a Claim and Legal Support
When making an insurance claim, you must:
- Notify your insurer promptly
- Follow their procedures for reporting and treatment
- Keep veterinary records and invoices
- Provide photographs and evidence if required
Disputes with insurers do occur, particularly over exclusions, valuation, or evidence. If your claim is rejected or delayed unfairly, you may be able to challenge it through legal channels.
Blackstone Solicitors can advise on insurance disputes, including:
- Denied claims
- Policy interpretation
- Negligence in transport or care
- Misrepresentation or non-disclosure allegations
Conclusion
While not always a legal requirement, horse insurance is a vital safeguard for anyone who owns or manages horses in the UK. It protects not just your financial investment, but also your legal standing and ability to meet welfare obligations.
From public liability and veterinary bills to transport and personal accident cover, there are many policy types to consider—each with its own terms and exclusions. Making informed choices and formalising responsibilities in contracts is essential to reduce legal risk.
At Blackstone Solicitors, we provide comprehensive legal support to horse owners, yards, and equestrian businesses across England and Wales. Whether you need help with insurance disputes, drafting agreements, or understanding your legal duties, our equine law experts are here to help.
How we can help
We have a proven track record of helping clients deal with the process involved in equine legal issues. We will guide you diligently and ensure all checks are carried out swiftly and efficiently and we firmly believe that with the right solicitors by your side, the entire process will seem more manageable and far less daunting. You can read more about the range of equine law services we offer by clicking here: https://blackstonesolicitorsltd.co.uk/equine-law/.
How to Contact Our Equine Law Solicitors
It is important for you to be well informed about the issues and possible implications of dealing with the many aspects of equine law. However, expert legal support is crucial in terms of ensuring a positive outcome to your case.
To speak to our Equine Law solicitors today, simply call us on 0345 901 0445, or click here to make a free enquiry. We are well known across the country and can assist wherever you are based. We also have offices based in Cheshire and London.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice on any individual circumstances.
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