How much liability insurance?

I think what if generally boils down to is that 1) the sign needs to be posted, and 2) It is limited to those participating (generally). So if your horse went mad at a parade and stomped a child to death you probably will be held liable in most states. A great aide, but certainly doesn't absolve one of any liability...

There are only 4 states that don't have equine liability laws. They are listed below.

Activity Liability Statutes (note that four states (CA, MD, NV, & NY) do not have laws)

Summary of PA law:

These statutes comprise Pennsylvania's Equine Activity Act, which sent into effect on February 21, 2006. Under the law, liability for negligence shall only be barred where knowing voluntary assumption of risk is proven in a particular case. However, the Act provides immunity only where a sign that states, "You assume the risk of equine activities pursuant to Pennsylvania law," is conspicuously posted on the premises in two or more locations.

This is a summary of Texas' law:

This Texas section provides that any person, including an equine activity sponsor, equine professional, livestock show participant, or livestock show sponsor, is not liable for property damage or damages arising from the personal injury or death of a participant in an equine activity or livestock show if the property damage, injury, or death results from the dangers or conditions that are an inherent risk of an equine activity or the showing of an animal on a competitive basis in a livestock show. Liability is not limited by this statute where the equine professional knowingly provided faulty tack or equipment, failed to make reasonable and prudent efforts to determine the ability of the participant to engage safely in the equine activity, owns or otherwise is in lawful possession of the land or facilities upon which the participant sustained injuries because of a known, dangerous latent condition, or if he or she commits an act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of the participant or intentionally injures the participant. The statute also requires the visible displaying of "clearly readable" warning signs that alert participants to the limitation of liability by law

Link to the site.

Map of State Equine Activity Liability Statutes

Ok, so as I read that, even in Tx, your animals get out, you can be sued. So, even if I lived in Tx-I would still have insurance. The Tx law seems, to me to have lots of room for interpretation, which to me means more risk.

Equine laws genereally are directed at those that particpate in equine activities. I am not sure how they could create more risk, but they certainly don't prevent you from being held liable. They are generally meant to protect those that facilitate events (lessons, shows, competition, ect) from being held liable from 'the inherent risk' of those events. You may or may not be held liable if your horses get out. In either case you can be sued... and should have adequate coverage to prevent loss.

IMO

That is exactly why I have my own insurance. Covering my tail. That way I can sleep at night.

The estate my family owns is insured to the hilt. We have 2 full time employees and 3 part time. Our policy does not cost more because of the horses and cattle. They were concerned more about the breed of dogs we have. There are signs here at the barn and corrals that are posted with Section 87 of the Civil code. Our employees do sign a waiver.
This is at the suggestion of our attorney.
If I allow you to ride a horse and I tell you it is completely broken and it is not then you may have a right to sue me.
This is why any time someone ask about the temperament of a horse I always say if they are breathing they can bite, buck , and kick.
I also live in a very rural area with most of the population farmers. The chances of you winning a lawsuit that is livestock related is slim to none.
Shalom

Same here. The legal advice that we were given was to never predict future behavior even based on past behavior, e.g. I can truthfully say that our lead mare has never kicked/bucked/etc, but would never tell a rider that 'she will not/would never kick/buck/etc...'.

I also make sure that the rider tacks the horse themselves and checks all the tack if it is ours before mounting.

Paint, that is a good idea to have them saddle thier own horse. Let me add that to the rules around here. Shalom

I am not ssure what you meant here. If you get a policy as I suggested from the equine council it only covers personal horse liability. If you have home insurance liability they generally will cover personal use horses to a limited number. If you have a farm policy we always have farm and personal liability insurance attached. If you have an equine busines (sales, breeding, boardeing, training, lessons, ect) you need coverage for that business.

Hi, I am with Laurel Fowler Insurance Broker, inc based in California, we specialize in Equine Insurance across the country and I just thought I would post this as a rate guide for people. Personal Horse Liability is different from Trainer or other horse business liability, but if you are not using your horse in any business activities and usually have less than 10 horses, Personal Horse Liability can be purchased. As a Guide:
Rate Guide: On 04/20/2012 the rates were:

$150.00* per year for $500,000.00 ($500,000.00 CSL/Occurrence, $1,000,000.00 General Aggregate).
$235.00* per year for the $1,000,000.00 ($1,000,000.00 CSL/Occurrence, $2,000,000.00 General Aggregate).
*Rates subject to change, price includes one (1) certificate of insurance, additional copies $25.00.

These rates are good for 3-4 horses and then each addition horse is about $43.00 up to ten horses max.

Usually your homeowners excludes any horse coverage and as others have mentioned, some breed or group associations also offer liability coverage.

Daren Humphries
Laurel Fowler Insurance Broker, inc
www.EquineQuote.com