Press room

Regardless of whether you’re taking up the reins for the first time or returning to horses after a spell out of the saddle, one thing is for sure, riding is great fun - but it can also be risky. It’s vital to make sure you are properly insured for the type of riding you’re doing. We’ve asked Charlotte Collyer, senior marketing executive at leading UK specialist insurance provider, Petplan Equine, to provide some practical advice on choosing the right insurance.

“Firstly, congratulations on taking up the reins! Like many who ride but don’t actually own a horse, you may not have thought about insurance. It is important to understand the risks associated with riding and consider how you would manage in the event of an accident resulting in injury to you, the horse or a third party. Perhaps the most important recommendation I can give is to take cover with a specialist equine insurer that fully understands the needs of horse owners and riders. They will be able to guide you through the options available, knowledgeably answering questions you may have along the way and, if you have to make a claim, handle it with equal measures of experience and empathy to make the process as swift and efficient as possible.

It is safe to assume that for most, taking up or returning to riding will involve riding other people’s horses. Helping out at a local riding school is an ideal way to gain that all important horse-management experience before making the commitment to buy your own horse. And learning to ride at a riding school with qualified instructors is definitely recommended. If you are among the many experienced riders who return to horses following a break, you may find yourself in the lucky position of being able to borrow or share a horse.

In any eventuality, as you are unlikely to be as familiar with a hired or borrowed horse as your own, the risk of accident could be more likely.

If you have decided to jump right into horse ownership carefully trying your new equine partner is strongly recommended. It’s possible that not all horses you look at will be insured, nor necessarily as safe as the advert suggests so if you proceed with caution and have your own insurance in place, you can rest assured you are covered for all eventualities. Once you have bought your horse or taken on full responsibility for a horse under a loan or share agreement it will be important to consider a horse insurance policy.

Petplan Equine, have taken the advice of Jacqui Fulton Equine Law and together have produced advice pieces on buying, loaning and sharing horses which can be found at www.petplanequine.co.uk

TOP FIVE TIPS OWNING / LOANING YOUR FIRST HORSE

1. Consider buying a school master: Petplan Equine’s older horse policy provides full vet’s fees cover up to the age of 25 if you insure your horse with the insurer prior to its 20th birthday
2. Contact your insurance company to find out whether they require a two or five stage pre-purchase vetting
3. Check if the horse you are buying or loaning has insurance and if so, if that policy is transferrable into your name
4. Put a written purchase or loan agreement in place; visit www.petplanequine.co.uk/ for Handy advice guides

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For more information please contact:

Name	Telephone	Email
Charlotte Collyer	0208 707 8335	charlotte.collyer@allianz.co.uk

Petplan Equine is the UK's leading horse insurance provider offering a wide variety of flexible horse insurance policies which cater for all levels of experience.

Established more than 20 years ago, Petplan Equine is part of Allianz Insurance, one of the largest general insurers in the world.

For more information about a Petplan Equine horse insurance policy, please visit:
petplanequine.co.uk/insurance/quote.asp

Note to editors:

• Petplan Equine was founded in 1988.
• It is part of Allianz Animal Health, the largest provider of animal health insurance in the world and part of Allianz – one of the largest general insurers in the UK.
• In addition to horse and pony insurance options, Petplan Equine provides dedicated products for veteran horses and rider only insurance cover.
• It is the sister brand of Petplan, the largest provider of small animal insurance in the UK.
• Petplan Equine believes in supporting the equine community and provides more financial support to equestrian sports and activities than any equine insurance provider in the UK.
• The Pet Plan Charitable Trust was founded in 1994 to raise much needed funds for animal welfare and veterinary projects. Money is raised by Petplan and Petplan Equine customers giving an optional £1.50 to the Trust when they take out or renew their policy. To date, almost £5 million has been awarded by the Trust.
• Petplan and Petplan Equine are specialist insurers. As such, the company employs more horse riders and owners than any other and more former veterinary practice staff than any other to ensure the provision of specialist knowledge.
• Redwings Horse Sanctuary is the UK’s largest horse sanctuary, caring for over 1200 rescued horses at its nine sites around the country, with 500 more living in happy Guardian homes across East Anglia. The charity is entirely funded by public donation. Find out more at www.redwings.co.uk.