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Jockeys’ Guild Cuts Insurance For Riders At Monmouth Park

In a letter to membership dated June 7, the Jockeys' Guild informed its membership that it will no longer provide insurance policies for riders at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, NJ, reports the Thoroughbred Daily News. The New Jersey Racing Commission instituted the strictest whip policy in the country this year, preventing riders from using the whip for any reason except for safety. The Jockeys' Guild president Terry Meyocks has repeatedly voiced his opinion against the whip restriction in New Jersey.

“It is our opinion and belief that this regulation is extremely dangerous and is creating an even greater risk to both the equine and human athletes, including the potential for injury and/or loss of life to the jockeys and the horses,” the Guild said in its letter to members. “The increase of risk is thereby creating a greater exposure for the Jockeys' Guild and the benefits that we provide to our members who are riding under such regulation.”

Insurance for riders at Monmouth will end on July 1. Currently, those benefits include: temporary disability, life insurance, and Accident, Death and Disability benefits. When insurance coverage from the Jockeys' Guild ends, riders will have to take out their own insurance policies or accept the risks of racing without it.

Dennis Drazin, CEO and chairman of Monmouth Park operator Darby Development, called the Guild's decision a “cheap shot.”

“This is an uncalled-for reaction to a rule that the racing commission put into effect and now they want to punish their own jockeys because they are riding,” Drazin said. “The comments I have heard are that some of the jocks are upset with the Guild and don't feel that they are representing them well. Now they decide that they're going to suspend the benefits that they provide to our jockeys. Frankly, if our jockeys wanted to, they have a very good lawsuit against the Guild.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

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EHV Outbreaks And Equine Insurance

Equine insurance is utilized by many horse owners, whether the horse is kept for competition, breeding, or as a family pet.

With the EHV-1 outbreak across the United States and Europe, many horse owners are considering insuring their horses. But would insurance cover a horse that may have been exposed to a contagious disease? Horse Network recently delved into that question.

Each insurance carrier has its own set of rules regarding insuring a horse during a contagious disease outbreak; some may have a heightened sense of awareness about where the horse is located and what it has been exposed to, while others proceed with business as usual.

Insurance agencies and carriers deal with viral disease outbreaks similarly to how they handle weather events: they cover exactly what they say they will cover for current customers – nothing changes. However, they may limit their risk by not accepting new clients in the storm's path.

Insuring a horse that has been imported from Europe, where the EHV outbreak is intensifying, may not be possible, so contacting an equine insurance company before the import is planned is imperative.

Tuesday Talks: Virginia Tech Offers Webinar Series For Horse Owners

During the winter months from January to April, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia, hosts “Tuesday Talks” on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. This year, due to COVID-19, we are unable to host guests on-site, but will offer the program as a series of complimentary webinars.

Click here to register.

January 12: 7 p.m. My Horse has a fever: Now What?

A fever is often the first sign of a problem in the horse. We will discuss what causes fevers, the approach to diagnosis and treatment, and when referral to the hospital may be recommended. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, Clinical Instructor of Equine Medicine, will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

February 9: 7 p.m. Staying Sound: The Importance of Foot Balance in the Horse

Balance in the foot of the horse is achieved when weight is equally distributed over the foot of each leg, protecting each limb from undue weight-bearing stress. Abnormal weight distribution can result in the overload of a ligament, tendon, or bone, resulting in lameness.

This presentation will explain the importance of foot balance to the soundness and athletic ability of your horse and will provide insights into necessary hoof care to achieve and sustain balance with the goal of protecting your horse from injury. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Maureen Kelleher, Clinical Assistant Professor, Sports Medicine and Surgery, will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

March 9: 7 p.m. Equine Insurance

At the end of the presentation, Dr. Norris Adams, Clinical Assistant Professor, Equine Lameness and Surgery will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

April 13: 7 p.m. Toxic Plants in Your Pasture: What You Need to Know!

Summer is coming and, along with it, many ambitious plants that may or may not be welcome in your pasture. While intoxication is rare, recognizing these plants can make you feel more at ease about your horse's environment. Dr. Emily Schaefer, Clinical Assistant Professor, Equine Medicine, will describe the appearances of many of the mid-Atlantic's plants that are potentially toxic to horses, as well as clinical signs associated with intoxication. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Schaefer will be happy to answer your questions during a Q&A session.

Learn more and register here.

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Ask Your Insurer Presented By Muirfield Insurance: Covering Your Home With An Equine Farm And Ranch Policy

Equine insurance experts answer your questions about insuring Thoroughbreds for the breeding and auction realms.

Email us at info@paulickreport. com if you have a question for an insurer.

QUESTION: How does insuring your home on a farm through the usual homeowner channels compare with lumping it in with a Farm and Ranch Policy?

BRYCE BURTON: Equine Farm and Ranch Package policies are designed for people who own or lease farms where horses, or other livestock, are boarded and pastured. If you own or lease a farm, the chances are that both your Farm Property and Liability coverage needs would be best met under an Equine Farm and Ranch Package Policy. If there are owned dwellings on the farm, from a cost perspective, it makes the most sense to include these dwelling property coverages within the Farm Package policy, in order to have all coverages bundled together.

The main difference between your run-of-the-mill homeowner's policy and a Farm and Ranch Policy is the liability coverage. As a horse owner, or farm operator, you face unique risks that are not covered under a homeowner's policy. If you own horses that are boarded on the property, the package policy includes liability for your owned horses while on and off premises, including but not limited to the racetrack, show ring, breeding shed, etc. Farm owners that board non-owned horses also have the option to place care, custody, or control insurance, which covers the insured in the event that something were to happen to a non-owned horse while in their care.

The liability portion of the package covers the owner or lessee's business pursuits, such as boarding, training, riding instructions, etc., which would otherwise be excluded under a homeowner's policy. Any litigation that may arise as a result of the farm and equine operation, including pending litigation costs, would be covered under the Farm and Ranch Policy, but may be excluded under a homeowner's policy.

Regarding coverage for property, most homeowner's policies exclude farm outbuildings, so appurtenant structures used for business purposes such as barns, offices, and arenas are often excluded from homeowner's policies. Additionally, coverage for business personal property is also typically inadequate or excluded on a homeowner's policy, which results in inadequate or no coverage for farm equipment such as machinery, tack, tools, feed, and hay. On a Farm and Ranch Policy, farm personal property can be scheduled to provide replacement cost and there is no limitation for the business use of the property.

Bryce Burton is a property and liability specialist for Muirfield Insurance. He is from Frankfort, Ky., where he grew up an avid race fan. His Thoroughbred racing fandom combined with a collegiate internship in the insurance industry, culminated in a start in the equine insurance field. Bryce has been with Muirfield Insurance since 2014, following his graduation from Transylvania University in Lexington.

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