You board your horse at a co-op barn, or keep him in your backyard. A friend comes over to feed him a carrot. The horse spooks, spins, and kicks your friend in the face. She needs reconstructive surgery ($150,000). She sues you. You call your Homeowners insurance, and they say, “We exclude equine activities.”
Key Takeaways
- Homeowners Gap: Standard Homeowners policies often exclude liability for animals used for “riding” or livestock, especially if there is any business activity (like boarding).
- Private Horse Owner Liability (PHOL): You need a specific standalone policy that covers your horse anywhere (shows, trails, boarding barns).
- Equine Activity Statutes: Most states have laws saying “Participants assume the risk.” However, these laws have loopholes for “Negligence.” A kick to a guest can be argued as negligence (you knew the horse was spooky).
- Defense Costs: The real value of liability insurance is the lawyer they hire to defend you against the $1M lawsuit.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Business Exclusion
If you accept any money (even just splitting hay costs) or give lessons, your Homeowners policy views that as a “Business.” Business liability is excluded from personal Homeowners policies.
Also, some policies exclude “Draft Animals” or “Saddle Animals.”
The Investigation: Buying Protection
I quoted liability coverage for a backyard horse owner.
Fry’s Equine Insurance / Markel
- Product: Private Horse Owner Liability.
- Cost: ~$200 – $300 per year.
- Limits: $1 Million per occurrence.
- Verdict: This is the cheapest and most important insurance you can buy.
Equisure
- Product: Membership-based liability (via USEF or other orgs).
- Pros: Cheap (included in membership).
- Cons: Often “Excess” coverage (only pays after other insurance is exhausted) or has lower limits.
Comparison Table: Liability Coverage
| Policy Type | Coverage Limit | Covers Visitors? | Covers Shows? |
| Homeowners | Varies ($300k) | Risky (Check exclusions) | Unlikely |
| Private Horse Liability | $1 Million | Yes | Yes |
| Umbrella | $1M+ | Only if underlying policy exists | Only if scheduled |
[IMAGE: Photo of a “Warning: Under Equine Law…” sign on a fence]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Read your Home Policy: Search for “Equine,” “Livestock,” or “Saddle Animal.”
- Buy a Standalone Policy: For $250/year, just buy the PHOL policy. It follows the horse even if he escapes the pasture and causes a car accident.
- Post the Signs: In many states, you must post the “Equine Activity Liability Act” warning signs to get the legal protection.
- Don’t admit fault: If an accident happens, help the person, call 911, but do NOT say “He’s been kicking lately.” That is admission of negligence.
FAQ
Does this cover me if I get kicked?
No. Liability covers other people. You need Health Insurance or Personal Accident Insurance for yourself.
What if my horse kicks another horse?
Yes, this covers “Property Damage” (the other horse is property). It pays the vet bills for the other horse.