You just paid a $5,000 stud fee and another $2,000 in vet bills to get your mare in foal. She is at day 300, and you are terrified of a difficult birth, a slip in the paddock, or a “red bag” delivery that kills the foal before it stands. You call your agent to insure the baby, and they ask, “Is it on the ground yet?” If the answer is no, you might lose your entire investment.
Key Takeaways
- Insure the Fetus: “Prospective Foal” insurance covers the foal in utero (usually from day 45 of pregnancy) until 24 hours to 30 days after birth.
- The “24-Hour” Gap: Standard mortality only starts after the foal stands and nurses. Prospective coverage bridges the high-risk birth window.
- Stud Fee Protection: If the foal dies or is aborted, this insurance reimburses the stud fee and related costs.
- Vet Certificate Required: You need a clean ultrasound and vet certificate confirming a healthy pregnancy to bind coverage.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Live Foal Guarantee
Many breeders rely on the stallion owner’s “Live Foal Guarantee” (LFG).
The Trap: LFG usually gives you a re-breed right next year. It does not give you your money back, nor does it pay for the vet bills you wasted this year. It also doesn’t help if the stallion dies or is sold.
Insurance gives you cash, not a free breeding to a stallion you might not want to use again.
The Investigation: Buying Coverage Early
I quoted coverage for a Warmblood mare confirmed in foal (Day 60).
Great American
- Coverage: “Prospective Foal” endorsement attached to the mare’s policy.
- Cost: Rate is higher (around 10-15% of the stud fee/foal value) because abortion risk is high.
- Transition: Automatically converts to a standard Foal Mortality policy once the baby is 24 hours old and healthy.
Markel
- Coverage: Similar structure. They emphasize that the coverage pays if the foal is born dead or dies shortly after birth due to dystocia.
- Limit: Usually capped at the stud fee unless you can prove the embryo’s higher value (e.g., Embryo Transfer from an elite mare).
Comparison Table: Pregnancy Protection
| Feature | Live Foal Guarantee (LFG) | Standard Foal Policy | Prospective Foal Insurance |
| Payout | Free Re-breed | Cash (Mortality) | Cash (Stud Fee +) |
| Coverage Start | N/A | 24 Hours After Birth | Day 45 of Pregnancy |
| Abortion Coverage | Yes (Re-breed) | No | Yes |
| Stillbirth | Yes (Re-breed) | No | Yes |
[IMAGE: Ultrasound scan of a foal at 45 days with policy approval stamp]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Get the Ultrasound: Your vet must confirm a healthy heartbeat and normal placenta at ~45 days.
- Determine Value: Decide if you are insuring just the stud fee (
3k)ortheestimatedvalueofthefoal(3k)ortheestimatedvalueofthefoal(10k). Higher value requires justification. - Bind Coverage Immediately: Don’t wait until the third trimester. Abortion risks (placentitis, twins) happen early.
- Monitor the Mare: If the mare gets sick (colic/fever), notify the insurer immediately. It affects the foal policy.
FAQ
Does this cover C-sections?
It covers the death of the foal. It usually does not cover the surgery cost for the mare unless the mare has her own Major Medical policy.
What if the foal has crooked legs?
This is Mortality (Death) insurance. It does not cover “Loss of Use” for a foal born with conformational defects unless they are life-threatening.