If you have watched the news in the past few decades, you are likely aware that we live in a veritable minefield of potential litigation where high-dollar verdicts can quickly take away everything you have worked hard to build—from your business to your home. Even if you think state equine liability laws or signed hold-harmless waivers will protect you, the truth is that if someone is injured on your farm or due to your horse, you could be sued and held liable for financial damages.

That’s why having the appropriate equine liability insurance is a must. While signed release of liability waivers, and any required equine liability law signage you posted on your barn, often helps in your defense, they will not pay for related attorney fees and, if found liable, monetary damages to the injured or damaged party. These are two types of equine liability insurance to consider:

• Personal Equine Liability Insurance – If you keep your horse at home or board at a stable, and aren’t engaged in any equine activity for which you are paid, then this is likely the only liability insurance you need. It is designed to protect you in case your personal horse injures someone or damages the property of others.
  
• Care, Custody, & Control Liability Insurance – If you board horses—even for short stays—then this is one of two types of liability insurance you should consider buying. Care, Custody, and Control liability insurance protects you should a horse in your care, custody and control suffer an injury, or die, and you are held (liable) responsible for the loss.  (The third important type of insurance for commercial operators, is General Liability Insurance.)