What are the top causes of injury and illness for horses?
Top 5 claims of 2014 for horse illness and injury
As a horse insurance company we end up with an unique insight into the lives of horse owners and their steeds, sadly this insight is often due to claims relating to illness and injury. We've taken a look at last year's claims and here are the results - hopefully they are educational and equip you with the knowledge of the most common things to look out for. [HINT: USE THE ARROWS TO SCROLL THROUGH THE COUNTDOWN]
Coming in at number five bone disease makes up 7% of all horse insurance claims with an average claim costing £1208.Bone disease covers diseases and conditions that affect a horse's skeletal system.
Whilst colic also made up 7% of claims, its higher average claim cost puts it at number four.Colic is severe abdominal pain caused by gastrointestinal conditions.
Despite having a lower average claim cost than colic claims at £1,343, tendon and ligament claims were the 3rd most frequent in 2014 at 9%.Tendon and ligament claims refer to strains, torn tendons and ligaments usually caused by external trauma or mechanical overload.
Leg related conditions not only made up 14% of horse insurance claims in 2014 putting them in second place in our countdown but these claims were also the joint costliest on average with colic at £1,619 and recorded the costliest claim in this countdown at £5,329.Horse insurance claims for legs are for lameness, breaks and fractures.
The number 1 spot for the most common horse insurance claims in 2014 goes to 'external accidents' making up 15% of all insurance claims in 2014.Interestingly the average cost was the lowest on the list at £978.External accidents refers to externally visible injuries resulting from a incident occurring at a single, identifiable time and place.
*All E&L/www.horse-insurance.co.uk claims between January 1st and December 31st 2014.