In 1999 I bought my very first horse, New Cross, a Thoroughbred aged four years and six months. Upon having him vetted, I immediately began asking around about medical insurance for him. I heard via the grapevine of a good company, went ahead and placed him on it.

New Cross and Bronwyn – eleven years together and still going strong

It was extremely easy. I contacted my local veterinary practice for information. At the time there were three main options, as well as an optional extra of routine work cover. This included vaccinations, such as half-yearly equine flu, rabies and deworming, as well as the yearly AHS-vaccination. I chose the second option – horses in light work as well as the optional routine cover. Only once I started competing, I upgraded to option three, which included travelling in the box and cross-country.

Disaster!

After two years, I started to feel that medical insurance was not a necessity for me anymore and decided to cancel it. But in the month that I had forgotten to cancel the contract, New Cross was diagnosed as being ‘gone in the wind’. My vet had informed me that he would require corrective surgery.

As with most medical aids, the procedure was to pay first and claim later. At the time I did not have the money to pay the bill. I immediately contacted the company. They were very supportive and agreed to help me. They sent my veterinary practice a letter stating that they would honour the full account for this operation. The bill was finalised after the procedure and further check-ups. The company paid in excess of R10 000 and my levy was around R330! What more could you ask for?

The way to go

I then knew for certain that insuring my horse, and specifically with this company, was the way to go. It was cost-efiective and most definitely necessary for my horse’s healthcare. My medical cover has to date covered everything from routine care to emergency illness and injury, with a small levy here and there.

All my horse’s physiotherapy, chiropractic, dental care and more has been paid for, or once my limits have been exhausted, towards by my medical insurers. As with all medical cover there are benefit limits and sometimes levies, but I have found these to be very reasonable and in most cases, less than what my own (human) medical aid charges me! When the insurance company was taken over by another, the benefits were increased and the claims process kept user-friendly and eficient.

Back on track

Recently, my now 16-year-old partner became ill again. He needed cortisone and constant veterinary care to get this illness under control. After various tests, treatments, medications and extended rest, my poor horse finnally started to recover. He now requires medication twice a day. To date this has all been covered by his medical insurance.

We are back in the game this year and I am more convinced than ever that having medical cover for my horse, is one of the best decisions I ever made for him. It has and still assists me in being able to provide the best healthcare for my boy, which is definitely something he fully deserves.