All horse owners know how important it is to keep their horse healthy, but there’s only so much we can do to prevent injury and illness, and this is where horse insurance comes into play.

At a time when many people are struggling financially, with one-in-three horse owners altering their monthly food budget to be able to afford their horse, it’s easy to see why insurance might slip down the list of priorities.

But vet’s fees for horses can be very expensive, and if the unexpected were to happen to your horse, the last thing you want to be thinking about is whether you can afford to have them treated.

Insurance gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your horse will get the best care based on their needs, and nothing else.

Here, The Insurance Emporium, a company that has been providing specialist horse insurance for many years and who also offers vet’s fees cover as an optional benefit on their horse insurance policies, tell us about their most common claims, as well as what owners might expect to pay if they’re not covered by insurance.

1 Gastric ulcers

Average claim paid: £901

This is when ulcers develop in a horse’s stomach lining, causing pain and discomfort, and more serious conditions if left untreated.

Symptoms include weight loss, changes in eating habits, teeth grinding, aggressive behaviour and colic. This condition is diagnosed by examining the stomach lining with a gastroscopy under sedation and it can be treated with medication or dietary changes.

2 Hind suspensory ligament injury

Average claim paid: £817

The suspensory ligament runs from the knee down to the fetlock and it can be injured through repetitive strain or poor conformation.

Signs of a hind suspensory ligament injury include lameness, inflammation, stiffness or dragging and it can be diagnosed after an examination and observation by a vet, or an ultrasound/MRI if needed. It can be treated with anti-inflammatories, rest and rehabilitation.

3 Stifles

Average paid claim: £922

Stifle injuries affect the knee joint and can cause pain and lameness and reduce the horse’s mobility – they may have trouble bending the affected knee or be reluctant to put weight on it.

It can be caused by poor conformation or injury, and your vet will need to examine your horse, and carry out an X-ray, to diagnose it. Treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy and even surgery.

4 Forelimb lameness

Average paid claim: £707

This affects the horse’s front legs and can be caused by hoof problems, joint issues, or trauma. Symptoms can include head nodding, an abnormal gait and behavioural changes.

It can be diagnosed with a physical examination by a vet, and an X-ray or ultrasound. It can be treated with anti-inflammatories and physical therapy.

5 Hock arthritis

Average paid claim: £607

Arthritis in the hock joints (a group of joints in a horse’s back legs) is common in veteran horses, or horses with a lot of wear on their joints.

Age is a significant factor, as is repetitive strain and past trauma. Signs include reduced mobility, lameness and stiffness — especially after exercise — and a vet will have to carry out an X-ray to confirm diagnosis. It can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, supplements and regular steroid injections.

6 Kissing spine

Average paid claim: £577

A kissing spine is when the bones in the vertebrae of the spinal column of a horse are rubbing against each other. The area of the back most commonly affected are where the rider and saddle are.

The symptoms aren’t always obvious. The horse may show signs of discomfort, particularly when a rider is trying to mount them, or they might seem stiff, or reluctant to lie down or roll over.

Diagnosis requires a physical examination, a full history and an X-ray. Physiotherapy and regular steroid injections can help and, in some cases, surgery is required.

Kissing spine claims averaged £577

7 Coffin joint

Average paid claim: £762

The coffin joint, or distal phalanx, is at the base of the hoof. It supports the horse’s body and helps distribute its weight.

Inflammation in the joint could be caused by trauma or excessive wear and tear and is more common in heavy horses and jumpers. Symptoms include stiffness, behavioural issues and a shorter stride than usual.

Common treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, alternative therapies and occasionally surgery.

A tailor-made policy

It’s important to note that vet bills will vary depending on the age of your horse, your location and their specific health conditions, but having horse insurance in place takes away some of the anxiety of dealing with an ill or injured horse.

The Insurance Emporium’s Pick ‘n’ Mix policies come with death, theft or straying as standard and you can then choose vet’s fees as an optional benefit, which leaves you with a tailor-made policy that suits you, your horse and your budget.

Visit their website, or give them a call for a free, no-strings quote.

*Data refers to paid claims for Horse Insurance policies with vet’s fees as an optional benefit – from 01/11/24 to 31/10/25.

The small print

Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited.

The Insurance Emporium is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no: 202748.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. We will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. We will not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the display or use of this information. This policy is subject to change at any time.

We offer a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations.

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