The Rider Online » Important owner information

Keeping your horse during the recession

admin — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:37:21 +0000

It’s a sad fact that many horses and ponies are given up or abandoned every week, as owners struggle to cope with the current economic climate and there are currently many horses for sale.

Sara Tuppen from the Horse Refuge in Wittersham Kent, knows all about looking after horses when money is scarce, having to rely solely on donations to keep over 40 rescued horses in good health.She believes there are a few points which could help make owning a horse on a budget a little easier:

1. Many horses can live quite happily outside for most of the year, as long as there’s food, water and shelter available. If this is a suitable option for your horse, it could reduce the cost of stabling considerably.

2. Removing shoes is an easy way to keep costs down. If not ridden regularly, or on rocky ground, many horses will not need shoes.

3. Sharing your horse is a great way to cut (even halve!) costs and provides a cheaper introduction to horse ownership for someone else.

4. In many cases you can get free stabling and occasionally hay and bedding in return for chores. Mucking out, grooming, maintenance etc. are all jobs which could save you money for a little hard work!

5. Vets bills are an unknown factor but still have to be considered. If money’s a little tight, you may find a lot of Vets will allow you to spread the cost, and pay in instalments.

6. Many people can make lifestyle changes! It’s not all about finding ways to keep your horse more cheaply, see if you can do it for yourself!

7. Wherever possible, horse owners can often club together to buy feed and bedding in bulk, reducing the overall price and passing on savings to all.

8. As a last resort, you can look into getting your horse a foster home, even as a companion.

There are many ways in which The Horse Refuge can help. If you would like any more information, or would like to donate, please call Sara on 01797 270555 or visit http://www.horserefuge.org

Surviving a recession or credit crunch is difficult enough, but when you have horses and ponies which rely on you for food, shelter and medical attention, every little bit helps.

http://www.horseandponydirectory.com

Liability Insurance

admin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:40:39 +0000

If you’ve owned a horse, or known anyone who has, you will know how high-maintenance horses can be. But did you also know they can be a huge liability? To secure their investment and protect the public at large, horse owners should start by purchasing insurance.

I spent a good deal of time around horses growing up, and saw the types of incidents that could lead to injuries or a court case on a regular basis. I came to learn there were ways to protect yourself if you think ahead and a great way to that is as simple as signing a piece of paper. Er, sort of…

There are many different types of insurance for a horse. You should consider what is often called Equine (or livestock) Liability Insurance. This type of policy protects your assets in the event your horse causes property damage or injury to someone and they try to sue you. Included is usually limited coverage to others in the event of medical expenses and property damage up to a specified amount.

Holding an equine insurance policy can also afford you legal help should a lawsuit ever take place outside the scope of what your policy can protect. This is often an added policy cost, but can be well worth it if your horses are boarded or in regular contact with the public. All policy costs will vary depending on what provider you choose, the market you are in and what your individual negotiations entail.

Changes to Horse Passports from July 2009

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 18:19:10 +0000

The law on horse passports changed on 1 July 2009. From this time, if you own a horse or are its main keeper, you’ll be responsible for making sure it’s correctly identified. However, only the owner of the horse can apply for a passport.

From 1 July 2009, the horse’s owner, or keeper, should make sure the passport is available for inspection at all times. However, you don’t need to have the passport on hand when the horse is:

in its stable or grazing in a field
being moved by foot

If you are asked for the horse’s passport during these times, you’ll need to show it to the inspector within three hours.

Changes to passports for foals

From 1 July 2009, your foal needs to be microchipped with a unique number that’s matched to your contact details, as well as getting a passport. This must be done before the foal is six months old or by 31 December in the year it is born, whichever is later. However, you’ll need to have your foal microchipped and get a passport if you want to sell it earlier.

Changes to passports for horses

Your horse will need to be microchipped, along with getting a passport, from 1 July 2009. However, if you already have a valid horse passport, you won’t have to get your horse microchipped.

Changes to the definition of ‘equine animals’

Currently, only certain ‘equine animals’ (animals that look like a horse) need horse passports, like ponies and donkeys. From July 1 2009, zebras and ‘exotic’ horse species, like Przewalski’s horses, will also need passports and microchips.

Removal of the diagram of the horse – the ‘silhouette’

From 1 July 2009, the diagram of the horse (silhouette) won’t be compulsory because the horse will be microchipped to confirm its identity instead. However, if your horse is registered with a breed society, their rules may state that you still need a silhouette as well.

Changes to passports for wild or semi-wild horses

From 1 July 2009, the areas where horses don’t need passports will be extended to include Exmoor. Horses living in these areas will also need a microchip, if they are moved.

How to get or update a horse passport

For more information about getting a horse passport, or updating a current one, call: Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 or email

Equine Passports

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:36:04 +0000

All horses and ponies in England and Wales (including donkeys) need to have a passport identifying the animal. Horse passports have been introduced to help with the control of horses and ponies. These passports ensure that where a horse has been treated with veterinary medicines it will not be slaughtered for human consumption.

What information does the Passport contain?

Horse passports are small booklets that contain details about your horse, including:

its appearance, which is illustrated in diagram called a ‘silhouette’
its age
its breed/type
all the medications it has been given (if it has been declared ‘intended for human consumption’)

Why does my horse need a passport?

You are responsible for making sure you have an up-to-date horse passport so your horse can be identified. You could be fined up to £5000 if you don’t have one.

Horse passports are important because they help to:

make sure horses that have been treated with certain medicines don’t make it into food intended for humans
stop the possible spread of diseases, like African Horse Sickness, by restricting horse movements
prevent the sale of stolen horses – when you buy a horse, its passport proves its identity
If you don’t have a valid horse passport, you can’t do things like:use your horse in competitions, like a race or show move your horse to a new premises, sell or export your horse, use your horse for breeding, have your horse slaughtered for human consumption

Make sure your passport is available for inspection

You may be asked to show your horse’s passport by a trading standards inspector from your local council, eg at a horse market.

If you are asked for the passport, but are in the process of applying for one, let the inspector know. If necessary, they will check your application details with the organisation issuing the passport.

Buying and selling

You must not buy or sell a horse without a horse passport. Contact your local Trading Standards office if you are sold a horse without a passport – they may prosecute the seller.

Horse Passports for foals

Your foal needs a passport before it is six months old, or by 31 December in the year it’s born – whichever is later. However, you’ll need to get a passport earlier if you sell your foal before this.

Passports for wild or semi-wild horses

Horses living in the New Forest and Dartmoor (wild or semi-wild horses) don’t need a passport until they are moved from these areas.

How to get or update a horse passport

For more information about horse passports, call: Defra Helpline on 08459 33 55 77 or email horse.passports@defra.gsi.gov.uk