Re: insurance
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm replying to Eileen's post on insurance. Unfortunately for you Eileen, there are no mortality carriers who will insure 22 and 28 year old horses. If that was the case, I would have the insurance as I own a 21 and a 27 year old mare. In answer to your questions: 1) Do you have major surgical, or major medical/surgical? I'm thinking that there might be some pretty serious (and expensive) conditions that don't actually require surgery? (e.g., nasty infections) Most mortality coverage is going to be identical. Carriers differentiate themselves with their major medical/surgical. Depending on the carrier, you can buy surgical only (which is cheaper)or major medical which will cover a variety of conditions. There is a choice of deductibles, co-pays, and sub-limits. Also read the exclusions, since there are difference between policies. I can tell you that a suspensory pull, which hardly seemed dramatic (the horse was just lame sporadically) was over $6K to treat WITHOUT surgery of any kind. However, I think it is fair to say that generally most non-surgical vet care is going to be cheaper than any surgical vet care. 2) What insurance company could you recommend? I happen to use Markel, but there are a number of carriers out there. I prefer to use US domestic carriers because they are regulated by the state insurance departments and there are some consumer protections. Equisure typically uses an offshore facility (e.g. Lloyds of London). I only prefer to go that route when there is a crisis of availability or affordability. There are lots of quality domestic carriers out there and its a competitive market. 3) What's the oldest horse your company will insure? Markel will insure new business up to 16 and then will offer reduced cover for current insureds up to age 18. Generally speaking, most mortality carriers write coverage from 3 months to 16 years, with some going to 18 years. There are specialty carriers who will cover foals under age 3 months, but it will be expensive. All my older horses are in work, Eileen, and they are doing great. However, one day they may need emergency vet care and at that point it will be a choice based on their age, condition, and likelihood of a reasonable recovery. I am prepared to euthanize and bury horses on my farm. I think it is important to have a plan for this eventuality and have good communication with your vet. I dread the day I will have to make this choice about my older girls, but they have a home for life with me, so someday that day will come. Margaret Bogie Ironwood Farm Rixeyville, VA http://www.ironwood-farm.com Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more. The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
Re: insurance
This message is from: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi All, I think that there has been some great discussion on this topic. For those of you who have insurance, I'm curious: 1) Do you have major surgical, or major medical/surgical? I'm thinking that there might be some pretty serious (and expensive) conditions that don't actually require surgery? (e.g., nasty infections) 2) What insurace company could you recommend? 3) What's the oldest horse your company will insure? Based on a quote I got from Equisure, I'm thinking that the annual will be closer to $500 with major medical/surgical. And they won't insure horses older than 15! I don't know about all of you, but I'm planning on riding/driving my mare well into her twenties. My Appys are 28 and 22! Eileen in eastern WA The FjordHorse List archives can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/rcepw
RE: insurance
This message is from: "Gail Russell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A regular insurance policy does not cover employees in California. They have to have Worker's Comp Insurance, which is calculated as a percentage of the paycheck. Does your insurance specifically cover employees? Does Nova Scotia require worker's comp insurance. Does your insurance specifically cover worker's comp? I have NO PROBLEM paying insurance premiumsright now I am probably paying $30,000 a year, and spending a month of time each year making absolutely sure I have the right insurance for all purposes. I spent all day yesterday trying to improve the coverage and cost benefit ratio of one of my policies. I just do not know a good way of insuring someone when you are essentially bartering lessons for work (though I am sure there would be a way if I hunted long enough). The problem is that we do not view an intern as an employee, and yet, California is very clear that the person is doing work for a benefitand is therefore an employee. If you do buy worker's comp insurance for barn employees in California, the stall cleaners and feeders are rated as though they were exercising horses at the track. Our premiums can be close to 100% of the amount of the employee's pay. I know contractors who deliberately pay their lowest wage laborers MORE (by quite a bit) so that their hourly wage brings them into a category of an experienced carpenter.in order to save on worker's comp. (The insurance company knows that the low paid laborers are more likely to get hurt with tools and materials they have no experience with.) I thought you might have addressed the barter situation specifically. Did not actually need a lecture on being cheap about buying insurance. Gail
Re: insurance
This message is from: "Carol Riviore" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello Everybody from Carol Rivoire at Beaver Dam Farm in Nova Scotia --- Each Spring, we accept a limited number of good quality horses to sell at our farm on consignment. Hi Carole, I was interested in how you deal with the insurance liability question for your internship program. I am not sure you noticed my question, but would love to hear your response. Hi Gail, How do we deal with it? -- We buy insurance, and pay the premiums. I don't mean to be flip, but insurance is one of the costs of doing usiness. -- I have a "notice" hanging over my desk . . . . Something called "10 Rules for the successful businessperson" Actually, it says "businessman" One of the rules is "KEEP SOBER AND KEEP INSURED". -- We try to operate by these rules. Best Regards, Carol
RE: Insurance
This message is from: "Gail Russell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Her home insurance company doesn't do that type of coverage. Does anyone know who does? Try Markel.
Re: insurance for training/boarding barn
This message is from: Mariposa Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks for all the insurance leads everyone. I appreciate it and have some applications to get out now. Mark McGinley Mariposa Farm
RE: insurance Farm Family Insurance
This message is from: "Frederick J. Pack" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unfortunately Farm Family is not licensed out here in Washington state. Here is a list of states where Farm Family is licensed: Licenses Products are offered by Farm Family Casualty Insurance Company in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia, and by United Farm Family Insurance Company in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Products are offered by Farm Family Life Insurance Company in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia. http://www.farmfamily.com Didn't help me, but it may help someone else... Fred All Mail is scanned in AND out by Norton Anti-virus 2004. Fred and Lois Pack Pack's Peak Stables Wilkeson, Washington 98396 http://www.geocities.com/friendlyfred98 This message is from: "Katherine Carter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> One company that will specifically insure farms with large numbers of horses if Farm Family. We've had house/farm insurance with them for many years, evan back when we ran a boarding stable with 20-plus horses, and have been pleased with them. Rates are reasonable. They will also cover vehicles as well as property. --Kathy in Maine
Re: insurance for training/boarding barn
This message is from: "Pat Holland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > The company I've had in the past is getting out of those lines and the > new one that my agency recommends is pretty expensive. Mark- The original company we were insured with also got out of equine coverage. We are now with Markel and it is expensive. In order to afford it we dropped the one clause for giving lessons on MY horses - that part was the most expensive. I can give lessons off the clients own horse - to them only. Which I do. I am also covered if someone is riding a horse that is for sale on my property. It surprised me that coverage for giving lessons on MY lessons horses was so high - I would have had to give 40 lessons just to pay the insurance - . I hunted and searched for two good, solid bomb proof animals - bought them and used them without incident. You would think the change of having an accident on one of my solid horses, that I know like the back of my hand, would be less than giving one off of the owners horse which is in a new place, and may not be as well trained. I get inspected with Markel - as a matter of fact he came just this week. Markel covers boarding, training - lessons on your horse, transport to shows, events and picking up or delivering clients horses and injury/death. (Not mine - your horses). I was even asked to carry terrorist coverage! I declined. Pat Holland
Re: Insurance
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] "...I'd be interested in info on other peoples Insurance companies too. Especially ones that insure horse operations that do boarding, training, lessons, etc..." Hello, Mark - I have Granite for my pony & horse ride business. Don't know if they'll handle boarding/lessons, or if they carry outside of Colorado - but worth a try. They were just under $1,000 premium for a $300,000 policy for 3. Susan in Granite, S.C.A. agency 719-546-6831 Here in Colorado, the pony businesses and even the big draft carriage companies have been in a real pickle - least wise, that's the "word" coming back to me. Many of the insurance companies out there dropped any sort of equine coverage. Happy trails! Sher in Aurora, CO Like to ride weekdays? Colorado _http://groups.yahoo.com/group/COWeekdayRider/_ (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/COWeekdayRider/) Trail book for equestrians, Colorado _http://RockyMountainTrails.net/Book.html_ (http://rockymountaintrails.net/Book.html)
Re: RE: Insurance
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] - Original Message - From: "Casanova, Julie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, August 5, 2004 3:08 pm Subject: RE: Insurance > This message is from: "Casanova, Julie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > -Original Message- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mariposa Farm > Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 4:01 PM > To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com > Subject: Re: Insurance > > This message is from: Mariposa Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I'd be interested in info on other peoples Insurance companies too. > >I use Farm Bureau - They contract out what they do not themselves cover. > > > Julie > Minnesota
RE: Insurance
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I'm not sure I was clear on the insurance issue---it was our farm (homeowner's) policy that they will not renew because of the horses. The auto and trailers they will still cover! It was when I called to add the horse trailer with living quarters that they started questioning about the horses, then made the decision to not renew the farm policy. We have all our insurance with the same company (won't do that again!). But I am also going to find a different company for my car insurance as I feel Safeco does not deserve my business. Barb Lynch -- Original message from "Karen Keith" : -- > This message is from: "Karen Keith" > > My trailer is insured with my auto insurance, but it's individually named on > the policy, along with the truck and two cars. We use USAA. > > Karen
RE: Insurance
This message is from: "Gail Russell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I had the same problem. Allstate doesn't even seem to ask the question. I had a "farm" policy, and they cancelled me after I got over a certain number of horses. The Allstate policy is a residential policy, and I did have to state that this was not a "farming operation" (it is not...these are pets). After that they asked no more questions. Gail -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 12:49 PM To: Fjord list Subject: Insurance This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: Insurance
This message is from: "Karen Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My trailer is insured with my auto insurance, but it's individually named on the policy, along with the truck and two cars. We use USAA. Karen My insurance is with American Family as well. When I called to insure my >horse trailer, they told me that it was covered under my auto insurance. I do not have a separate policy for the trailer. I hope I am not under>insured. _ SEEK: Now with over 50,000 dream jobs! Click here: http://ninemsn.seek.com.au?hotmail
Re: Insurance
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello, We use Farm Bureau for both auto, trailer, and farm. With the trailer, we use a BAPP policy. Thanks much, references are available. Lynda and Daniel Bailey's Norwegian Fjord Horse Farm White Cloud, MI 231-689-9902 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hometown.aol.com/baileysfjords/index.html
RE: Insurance
This message is from: "Casanova, Julie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mariposa Farm Sent: Thursday, August 05, 2004 4:01 PM To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com Subject: Re: Insurance This message is from: Mariposa Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'd be interested in info on other peoples Insurance companies too. Especially ones that insure horse operations that do boarding, training, lessons, etc. Mark McGinley Mariposa Farm My insurance is with American Family as well. When I called to insure my horse trailer, they told me that it was covered under my auto insurance. I do not have a separate policy for the trailer. I hope I am not under insured. Julie Minnesota
Re: Insurance
This message is from: Mariposa Farm <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'd be interested in info on other peoples Insurance companies too. Especially ones that insure horse operations that do boarding, training, lessons, etc. The company I've had in the past is getting out of those lines and the new one that my agency recommends is pretty expensive. My horse trailer is insured thru my regular auto insurance company, (American Family) It's cheap and it covers damage by animals... including horses... even from inside the trailer! I wonder how long that will last. :) Mark McGinley Mariposa Farm Washburn, WI [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi everyone! I don't post often but something came up today that I wanted some input on. We purchased a new trailer and called to add it to our insurance. Our agent called back and said Safeco wanted to know how many horses we had--like a fool, I told him! Safeco has decided that they will not renew our policy next year as we have too many horses!!! They said that they "allow" for two horses per adult. We have been with Safeco for 20+ years and have had well over 2 horses each for the whole time. They have a least given us almost a full year to find another insurer as it was just renewed in July. Now to my question--do any of you have a good insurance company that accepts the fact that you have horses in numbers above the "normal"? On another, happier subjectLatigo and I went to another show (#2) last weekend and had a great time. We showed against 2 fancy, high steppin' Morgans and a QH in 2 driving classes. We came in second in both classes behind one of the Morgans and it's trainer! I was really pleased with Latigo as he was steady as a rock even though the arena was extremely deep and "sticky" with a very rough "bottom". On to Libby!! Barb Lynch Benton City, WA
Re: insurance
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 9/13/00 12:08:27 PM Mountain Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << but the "cons" are starting to add up >> Starting to sound like HMOs, isn't it? Not to mention the things I see as a court reporter. If you're smart enough and aggressive enough, you can do ok, but you have to be willing to be pushy to get what used to be a standard of care. And if you're poorly educated or meek -- well, I hear you'll inherit the earth, but you won't do well at an HMO. Gail
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks Elaine for the detailed infor on insurance. We will check yours along with some others recommended on this list and make a decision. It's something we keep putting off. Our Fjord has been so healthy, as well as our 27 yr. old Arab!! It's the dang Quarter horses that keep coming up with things -- but I do love them all dearly!! We'd probably only insure my daughter's show horse and the Fjord. My mare is 12 and has bone spavins which are managed beautifully with Glucosamine daily. Not sure if her resale value is worth the insurance. Lots to think about. Susan
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: "B. Hendricks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My daughter bought a purebred Akhal-Teke gelding some years ago at a sizeable price, and insured him. She was going to use him in endurance. He had been foundered slightly prior to her buying him, and it didn't really show itself, and when he went to work everything fell apart. She had insured his life, and medical care, however she didn't include "loss of use" and the insurance company would not agree to her putting the horse down and collecting so she could replace him. They insisted he could be made a "comfortable cripple" - he was four years old, a beautiful dun, useless, and it was hard to see how he would ever really be "comfortable." Be sure what you are insuring for, and read the small print. Counting her purchase price and the trip to Colorado to pick him up, she was out over $14,000. As the horse looked perfectly fine before she bought him, and the vet had not checked his feet for tenderness, the founder was not detected and he was declared sound and healthy. This colt grew up in a large pasture and had only been at the trainer's for about three months, where they had put him on a rich diet of alfalfa and grain. When Carol bought him, everything looked fine, so she hauled him home. At home, she fed only good grass hay and some supplements - she noticed that he seemed tender in the front but thought he only needed shoes... Bonnie Please visit my web sites: Commissioned Horse Portraits, Oil Paintings, Prints, Books http://www.hendricksgallery.com and http://members.xoom.com/BHendricks/Gallery1.html - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, July 23, 1999 3:04 PM Subject: Re: Insurance for Fjords > This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > In a message dated 7/22/99 20:23:13 Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] > writes: > > << I'd be interested to hear the other side of this argument: has anyone > had a good experience with insurance coverage? >> > > Somebody on another email list I'm on had a Morgan who she loved dearly, > despite the ditzy things he did. Really stupid things. Unfortunately, last > month his leg shattered and he had to be put down. Insurance is paying for > the horse she just found, another Morgan that doesn't have the self-destruct > attitude her last one did. She buys him this month, as soon as the insurance > check arrives. > > Pamela >
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 7/22/99 20:23:13 Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << I'd be interested to hear the other side of this argument: has anyone had a good experience with insurance coverage? >> Somebody on another email list I'm on had a Morgan who she loved dearly, despite the ditzy things he did. Really stupid things. Unfortunately, last month his leg shattered and he had to be put down. Insurance is paying for the horse she just found, another Morgan that doesn't have the self-destruct attitude her last one did. She buys him this month, as soon as the insurance check arrives. Pamela
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Susan, I think there are many good insurance companies out there now, and I believe that the AHSA has horse insurance now, too. They would be very reputable and competitive with their pricing. I have used a company called Ziplow for over 10 years and I have had no problems.(800-822-2202). It is always a tough decision whether or not to spend money on insurance. I had a friend that spent over 50K on a horse, did not insure it, and it died within a week. She is still paying on the loan for the horse. I live in an urban area where my horses are always trailered on the freeways, and are left at different show grounds, etc. I feel that they are at a little more risk than if I lived in the country. The most useful thing about insurance is the major medical coverage, that you have to ask for in addition to mortality. It has a $250 deductible, but it covers anything that is not routine maintenance. We all know how fast vet bills can get over $250, so it can come in handy. You should be able to get rates of 3% if you are not using the horse for any thing other than pleasure or dressage. So for a horse insured for $4000, let say, you should have to pay $120, plus and additional $150-250 for major medical a year. Hope this gives you some information. Elaine Olsen
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is from Alex Wind. When I looked into insuring my first Fjord, I found that the cost was very high and the coverage was very limited. My Techla cost $10,000. Each year I would have had to pay $1000, so in ten years I would have paid for her twice. There were all kinds of rules and exceptions. Road accidents were covered, but lightening strikes were not. It covered theft, but only if you had your gates padlocked! As it turned out Techla died after I had only owned her for four years, fortunately, she replaced herself, by having a filly, ever more beautiful and large, than herself. So you are saying, "Aha, she should have bought the insurance after all!" But she died suddenly and with no explanation. The autopsy results were "colitis X," meaning that they could really find no cause. I doubt that the insurance would have paid, because it requires a definite cause of death. So I'm still undecided whether it's a good idea, or not. My impulse is to just take my chances. I can just see the insurance premiums, for some of you with large farms, and lots of Fjords. I'd be interested to hear the other side of this argument: has anyone had a good experience with insurance coverage? Wondering, again. Alex
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have a good insurer and trust her. Eve Willett at 1 800 jog trot. Jean Gayle Aberdeen, WA [Authoress of "The Colonel's Daughter" ] http://www.techline.com/~jgayle -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Thursday, July 22, 1999 12:37 PM Subject: Re: Insurance for Fjords >This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >Elaine, > >We're thinking of insuring 2 of our 4 horses. Do you recommend anyone in >particular? Who do you use? What can you expect to pay for it?? > >Susan >
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Elaine, We're thinking of insuring 2 of our 4 horses. Do you recommend anyone in particular? Who do you use? What can you expect to pay for it?? Susan
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: "Denise Delgado" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> thanks, elaine. a lot of helpful info on insurance. i am checking into and so far am still shipping, but will get it just in case. thanks, denise - Original Message - From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 1999 5:05 PM Subject: Re: Insurance for Fjords > This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > I have my Fjords insured, and my other horses, too. They do a lot of > traveling. Insurance is based on the purchase price of the horse. You can > raise the amount of your coverage, but often have to substantiate it when you > get in the higher amounts. In other words, someone just can't say, this filly > is worth $100, 000. without proving it somehow. I am requested to submit show > records every year to show that I do use the horse for dressage (a lower rate > than jumping). Most insurance companies have you pay a premium based on 3-5% > of your insured value per year. I would strongly recommend adding major > medical coverage to the policy for an extra $150-250. > > If you don't know the market value of your horse, I'm sure the insurance > company can help you with that. It only gets tricky when you start getting > horses valued over $25,000. Then, you have to submit a vet check every year > with your application. > > Unfortunately, I had to use my insurance policy when I lost a horse to colic. > The bills were over $5000 (surgery involved) and they paid for everything, > including what I paid for the horse. > > Elaine Olsen > > > > > >
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have my Fjords insured, and my other horses, too. They do a lot of traveling. Insurance is based on the purchase price of the horse. You can raise the amount of your coverage, but often have to substantiate it when you get in the higher amounts. In other words, someone just can't say, this filly is worth $100, 000. without proving it somehow. I am requested to submit show records every year to show that I do use the horse for dressage (a lower rate than jumping). Most insurance companies have you pay a premium based on 3-5% of your insured value per year. I would strongly recommend adding major medical coverage to the policy for an extra $150-250. If you don't know the market value of your horse, I'm sure the insurance company can help you with that. It only gets tricky when you start getting horses valued over $25,000. Then, you have to submit a vet check every year with your application. Unfortunately, I had to use my insurance policy when I lost a horse to colic. The bills were over $5000 (surgery involved) and they paid for everything, including what I paid for the horse. Elaine Olsen
Re: Insurance for Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hello! I am looking into getting an insurance policy for my yearling filly. I am curious as to whether or not anyone else has policies on their Fjords and how the amount of coverage was determined. My filly is considered by my husband and I to be one of our "valuables" and as such we want to make sure that should anything happen to her our options are not limited by available funds. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance! Tami -- In Newberg, OR where summer has finally arrived! :-)
Re: Insurance / Halters / Bits / T-Shirts !
This message is from: GAIL RUSSELL <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > The AHSA is a good group to belong to, and along with our ADS membership we >carry it each year, as with it, it has a policy to cover ANY equine accident, >either on our place or while out showing, parading ect. This also covers us >when we have riders help train our Fjords, as we mostly drive, and people >trying them out when they are for sale. Hi Lisa, Are you sure others are always covered when riding your Fjords? When I read the policy I thought it required that the other party riding also be an AHSA member. Maybe it was only when the other party is being paid to ride/train. Will look at the policy again when I unearth it from the pile on my desk - but I think that is what it says. Gail Gail Russell Forestville CA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Insurance / Halters / Bits / T-Shirts !
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Hi List ! Too hot to be outside anymore here ( 103 ) but thought I would come in and read what all of you are doing. Jon and Mary, your idea of a boarding stable is a good one. I have to admit that the first thing I thought of was also the insurance. It is a sad thing to have to worry about people suing you over getting injured, or losing a horse and blaming it on feed, or tripping over their own two feet, ect.but here in lawsuit crazy Calif. I have friends in the animal business, and they both carry large policys, that over-cover every area of what could happen, and both have still been hauled into court in past years when someone thought they had been harmed. One person was sued by her " handyman " work under the table type, who built pens, and fixed up things around her place. He tripped and fractured his ankle and claimed total disability.was complicated by his filing a workmans comp. claim, even though he had been doing odd jobs for her " under the table " for years. Brought the fear of an IRS audit and state employee rights groups in with it. Her second run into court was because a pygmy goat in her petting zoo, knocked a tiny child flat, scraping her hand and scaring her. Her policy paid that one off. My other friend does weddings and carriage rides for hire. He also carries a 6 million dollar policy, to cover himself. It just isnt worth it to lose ones house and business because of being uninsured and taking the responsibility of people riding, or even visiting our horses, and getting hurt. The AHSA is a good group to belong to, and along with our ADS membership we carry it each year, as with it, it has a policy to cover ANY equine accident, either on our place or while out showing, parading ect. This also covers us when we have riders help train our Fjords, as we mostly drive, and people trying them out when they are for sale. I would encourage all Fjord owners, who sometimes let the friends kiddies, or have people visit the Fjords to join the ASHA, ( American Horse Show Ass.) Wanted to comment on the halter thing, if everyone isnt too sick of it. Lynda, I understand that you are trying to keep control of your horses while they are turned out, and with you right there, it poses less risk, than if you were gone all day, and leaving them unattended. Still, I believe that IF one of your Fjords caught a halter on a fence, gate, foot, shoe, ect. the panic that insues often prevents you from being able to get in there and help. Its not the halter that kills or disables horses, its the injuries sustained while panicing. I have also heard many stories, and always considered it proper to remove halters while not being led or worked somewhere, but not until a close friend lost a beautiful Paint filly, and another lady down the street, lost her Champion QH, did it make sense to me. I would rather train mine to come in with a signal or a reward then leave it to chance. Then again, we trailer our horses across the country, and to shows where any number of things could happen. Risk is always a choice of each owner, and I could never just lock up my horses in a " perfect " enviorment, hoping they wouldnt hurt themselves, to miss the fun of showing and using them for what we train for. As far as bits go, mine that drive, seem to prefer a Liverpool Mullenmouth, and those being ridden, seem to like a Pelham or wide snaffle. I never use a twisted wire bit, unless its during a training phase, with careful, light hands. If people are having problems with whoa.they need to go back to groundwork and gain a respect for that word. NO BIT will stop a true runaway.and the CD-List has covered that subject alot, and is in their archives. I would rather drive a horse with my pinkies, then HOLD its mouth all day or be pulled on. I also like the French Link Bits. They have the snaffle in a 3-jointed part, seems to fit the Fjord flat pallets better. Hope everyone has a GRAND 4th of July weekend. Cant wait to see some of you in Blue Earth, in a few weeks. Steve, are you going to have those T-Shirts there for sale? If not, put me down for a XXX Large, ( OK IM FLUFFY AND LIKE TO SHRINK THEM..) and I'll get a check right off to you, will P/U at BE.Thanks ! Lisa Pedersen PS Has anyone arrainged our Dairy Queen meeting yet? H, Steve? Mike ? HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FJORD...Lately ?
