How-To

7 Steps to Making an Equine Insurance Claim

Updated:

August 24, 2022

Acera Insurance, how to claim equine insurance, how do I use horse insurance, getting horse insurance, how to buy horse insurance, capricmw, equicare, equine insurance

Horses are masters at becoming injured, which is why many owners choose to purchase insurance. But working through an insurance claim while already dealing with an injured horse — or worse — can be highly stressful. So, I asked Mike King to provide some tips on making an insurance claim. He’s a partner at Acera Insurance (formerly CapriCMW) and the national lead for equine insurance and risk management programs, so he oversees claims across the country.

How to Understand Horse-Related Contracts

Updated:

August 10, 2022

horse-related contracts, buying a horse, legal documents horse sale, horse insurance contracts, horse breeding contract, karen weslowski

Traditionally, business in the horse industry has been conducted on the basis of a handshake. However, written contracts are becoming more common in the purchase and sale of horses as well as the provision of services such as training, leasing, breeding and boarding. Depending upon the wording of the contract, written contracts can provide greater certainty as to the rights and obligations of all parties involved. Given the increasing use of contracts in the horse business, horse owners may find it useful to arm themselves with some basic knowledge of contract law. This article will discuss the basic elements of a contract, provide readers with some tips on drafting a contract for the purchase and sale of a horse and finally, discuss one of the most commonly used contracts in the horse business, the breeding contract.

Get Your Horse On a Track System

Updated:

August 7, 2022

track systems for horses, alexa linton, horse barn layouts, horsekeeping methods, how to organize horse paddocks, natural grazing horses

Create a Paddock Paradise - About 15 years ago, I was boarding my mare, Diva, at a private barn in Victoria, BC. The paddocks were very small and flat, with electric fence covering all the boards to prevent chewing, and Diva was on the end of the paddock row beside a forest. It was close to home, which worked for me, but Diva was deeply stressed, making it almost impossible to safely work with her or ride her.

Horse Sport Psychology

Updated:

August 5, 2022

horse rider fear, scared riding horses, psychology horse riders, annika mcgivern, equestrian psychology

Facing Fear - Real and Imagined - The Mediterranean waters glistened below me. As I stood on the edge of the rockface, contemplating the 25-foot drop into the clear blue sea, it felt like my body was screaming at me to not jump. My knees were shaking, making my legs feel unsteady. My mind felt fuzzy and slightly disconnected from reality. I was more acutely scared than I had been in quite some time. But here’s the thing: I really wanted to jump. I was in Croatia and the sea was warm and inviting. I had watched about 10 people make the same leap quite safely and I knew, rationally, that it really wasn’t that high. I was determined to push through my nerves and do it, but in that moment I wasn’t entirely sure my body would let me.

Practice Emotional Resilience for a Better Horse Ride

Updated:

July 28, 2022

annika Mcgivern, horse rider psychology, how to stay calm atop a horse, psychology for equestrians, mental horse riding, anxiety horse rider

If you could choose the way you feel every time you sit on horse, what emotions would you choose? When I ask this question of my clients, their responses usually include the words calm, present, happy, relaxed, and confident. If you agree, it begs the question: Why don’t we feel this way more often in the saddle?

How to Shop for a Horse

Updated:

July 26, 2022

how to buy a horse, horse pre-purchase exam, equine pre-purchase exam, shopping for a horse, horse shopping, sellng a horse

Shopping for a horse can be one of the most exciting activities, yet it can often be frustrating, too. With a little planning and lot of forethought, you can make it more of the first and less of the latter. Help ensure that you end up with the right horse for your needs by having your coach or an experienced person you trust help you in the process. Regardless of whether you are working with a professional or going it alone, here are a few steps to take to make the process more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Equine Emergency First Aid

Updated:

July 25, 2022

equine first aid, travelling with horses, safe trail riding, safe horse riding, safe equine first aid, horse's wounds, how to take a horse's heart rate, take horse temperature, check if a horse hydrated

Almost every owner will have to deal with an equine emergency sooner or later. A horse’s natural curiosity, a trail ride mishap, or turnout with herd mates can lead to all kinds of cuts, bruises, kicks, and bites. Scrapes, stone bruises, punctures, sprains, or sores can happen suddenly, and more serious conditions such as abscesses, colic, or bacterial infections can flare up with no warning.

How to Format Your Horse Ride

Updated:

July 19, 2022

jec a ballou dressage, exercise programs for horses, best way to exercise horse, how to have an effective horse ride

Most of us intend for our daily rides to improve our horse at some level, either by adding to his physical conditioning or progressing his training skills. But whether or not your horse actually makes these gains often comes down to the amount of time you spend on each phase of the ride. The format of your ride determines the outcome of physical improvement.

How to Choose a Commercial Horse Hauler

Updated:

July 19, 2022

transporting horses, how to ship my horse, moving my horse, easing stress horse transport, kevan garecki, preparing my horse for emergency

Of the various forms of commercial transport, one of the most demanding is arguably that of horse transport. Strangely, it also attracts the least qualified, the most poorly equipped, and the most fraudulent and dishonest operators. How does one wade through the ethical minefield created by illegitimate wannabes and scammers? I will offer a handful of tips to keep you and your horses safe...