Whether you operate guided trail rides, run a riding school, or train horses professionally, your equine business faces a unique set of risks that standard insurance policies are not built to handle. Horses and people are both unpredictable, and when the two come together, the potential for injury and liability is real.
The John Bailey Company specializes in insurance for outdoor recreation and equine businesses. Since 1946, we have been a family-owned agency based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and we currently insure outdoor and recreation operations in 20+ states. We understand the risks of working with horses and guests, and we know how to build the right coverage around your operation.
Horseback Riding Operations We Insure:
- Guided trail ride operators (hourly, half-day, and multi-day rides)
- Riding instructors and lesson programs (all disciplines)
- Equestrian schools and training facilities
- Independent contractor instructors and trainers
- Horse rental and outfitting operations
- Therapeutic and adaptive riding programs
- Pony ride and petting zoo operations
- Day camps and youth equestrian programs
- Equine clinicians and traveling instructors
- Boarding facilities that offer lessons or trail access
Why Standard Insurance Won’t Cover Your Equine Business
A standard general liability policy or homeowners policy is generally not designed for commercial equine operations. Once you begin accepting payment for a trail ride, a riding lesson, or horse training, you are running a business with risk exposures that personal policies typically exclude. If a student falls during a lesson, if a rental horse bites a guest, or if a client’s horse is injured while in your care, a standard policy may deny the claim.
Guided trail riding is generally considered one of the higher-risk categories in equine insurance. Many riders are novices experiencing horses for the first time, rides often take place on varied terrain, and operators may work on leased land or public trails. Riding instructors and trainers can also face professional liability exposure: the more expertise you present to the public, the higher the standard of care you may be held to. A specialized equine liability policy is generally an important part of risk management for instructors, trainers, and trail operations.
What Does Horseback Riding Insurance Cover?
A comprehensive equine insurance program from the John Bailey Company can typically be customized to include a range of coverages designed for outdoor recreation and equine operations. Available options generally include, but are not limited to, the following:
Standard Coverage Options:
- General Liability: Generally responds to third-party bodily injury and property damage claims arising from equine operations, both on and off premises
- Professional Liability: Designed to address claims of alleged negligence, errors, or omissions in instruction or training services
- Equine Liability: Designed to address exposures related to horseback riding, horse handling, and horse-human interactions. Specific coverage for animal bites and related exposures varies by policy form and carrier
- Care, Custody, and Control: Generally responds to claims involving injury, illness, or death of horses you do not own while they are in your care for training, boarding, or lessons. Many general liability policies exclude property in your care, custody, or control, so CCC is often added as an endorsement
- Commercial Property Insurance: Designed to help protect stables, barns, arenas, tack rooms, and equipment against perils such as fire, weather, theft, and vandalism
- Workers’ Compensation: Required in most states for operations with employees; helps cover medical costs and lost wages for work-related injuries to your staff
Specialty Coverage Options:
- Medical Payments: Designed to help pay for a claimant’s immediate medical expenses regardless of fault. Available limits vary by policy
- Fire Legal Liability: Designed to respond to damage to rented or leased property such as a stable or arena where you teach. Availability and inclusion vary by policy form
- Hired and Non-Owned Auto: Generally responds to liability exposures when personal vehicles or trailers are used for business purposes such as hauling horses to events or trailheads
- Umbrella / Excess Liability: Provides additional liability limits above primary policy limits for higher-value operations
- Abuse and Molestation Coverage: Often a key consideration for programs that work with children or vulnerable adults, including youth camps and therapeutic riding
- Event Liability: Designed to address exposures from shows, clinics, competitions, gymkhanas, and other equestrian events you organize or participate in
- Personal Equine Liability: Optional coverage option for personal horses kept separate from commercial operations
- Inland Marine / Equipment: Designed to address losses involving tack, saddles, and specialized equipment that may not be covered under standard property policies
All coverages, limits, and availability are subject to policy terms, conditions, and exclusions, and may vary by carrier and state. A licensed agent can review your specific equine operation to recommend appropriate coverage.
Our Process
Our process is simple. Here is how we work:
1) We Learn About Your Business
First, we discuss your horseback riding operation and craft a risk management solution tailored to your needs.
The following includes a few of the standard questions we typically ask during your initial consultation:
- What type of equine operation do you run (trail rides, lessons, training, boarding)?
- How many horses do you own, and do you care for horses owned by others?
- How many students or guests do you serve per year?
- Do you work at your own facility, or do you teach at other locations as an independent contractor?
- What age groups participate in your programs, including children?
- Do you use liability waivers with all participants?
- Do you operate on owned land, leased land, or public trails?
- How many employees or seasonal staff do you have?
- Do you host or participate in shows, clinics, or competitions?
- Have you filed insurance claims in the past? If so, what risk management practices have you put in place to prevent future incidents?
2) We Shop the Insurance Companies
After learning more about your insurance needs, we shop the insurance companies for you and then present a menu of recommended plans for your review.
Once you pick the coverage options that align with your risk appetite, our team can deliver a certificate of insurance to you quickly to help ensure your business is protected.
Ready to get started? Schedule a free consultation or call us at (865) 524-0785.
Frequently Asked Questions About Horseback Riding Insurance
How much does horseback riding insurance cost?
Costs vary depending on the type and size of your operation. Premiums for individual riding instructors are typically lower than those for trail ride operators with rental strings, due to differences in risk exposure. Factors that affect pricing include the number of horses, number of students or guests, types of activities offered, claims history, location, and coverage limits selected. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Do I need insurance if I teach at someone else’s barn?
In most cases, yes. Many equestrian facilities require independent instructors and trainers to carry their own liability insurance before teaching on the property, and the facility owner will often require you to list them as an additional insured on your policy. Coverage that applies both on and off premises is often important for instructors who teach at multiple locations. We can help review whether a given policy form provides the territory and coverage scope appropriate to your situation.
What is care, custody, and control coverage?
Care, custody, and control (CCC) coverage is designed to address claims involving horses you do not own that are injured, become ill, or die while in your care. Many general liability policies exclude property in your care, custody, or control, so a client’s horse may not be covered under a standard GL policy alone. CCC is typically added as an endorsement and is often an important consideration for trainers, instructors who use client horses, and boarding operations.
Are liability waivers enough to protect my riding business?
Liability waivers may provide a layer of protection and are commonly used in the industry, but their enforceability can vary by state and circumstance. We recommend reviewing your waiver language with a qualified attorney. Comprehensive liability insurance remains an important part of risk management regardless of waiver use, and waivers generally do not address property damage, employee injuries, or professional negligence claims.
Does my policy cover me if I travel to shows or events?
Coverage territory varies by policy form. Many equine liability policies provide some level of off-premises coverage, but the scope varies significantly. Always verify the territory provisions of your specific policy. If you travel to shows, clinics, or events, confirm with a licensed agent that your coverage extends to those locations. Event-specific liability coverage may also be available for organized competitions or clinics.
Do I need special coverage for therapeutic riding programs?
Therapeutic and adaptive riding programs serve vulnerable populations, which often warrants a broader risk management approach. General liability, professional liability, and abuse and molestation coverage are commonly considered for these programs. Many carriers offer programs designed specifically for therapeutic riding operations. We can help you evaluate the right combination of coverages for your specific program.