We love horses and like to believe they love us. Even the gentlest horse can be spooked, or be involved in an accident while being ridden. In these circumstances it is best to have coverage that will provide medical insurance for yourself as a rider, or to prevent others from suing you on their behalf in an accident.

Typically these policies cover riders ages 5 to 75 and protect them in the case of injuries due to accidents of all types when involved in horseback riding activities. Some coverage also provides protection while traveling and competing in shows and can be purchased to cover the rider as well as the horse itself. Most of the policies can be individualized to the specific needs for the most basic to the most advanced riders.

Student riders are well-advised to get personal rider's insurance to protect themselves from common accidents that can occur in class situations. You and your horse may be very reliable but you cannot count on other's skills or horses to be as reliable as your own.

Riding at a school, or someone else's horse often involves signing a waver releasing the owners from responsibility should an accident occur. They are protecting themselves because they realize that anything can happen when around such large animals. You need to protect yourself as well.

As you graduate and develop your skills certain equestrian elements can be fraught with their own inherent dangers. Handling hotter horses, or engaging in activities such as jumping, cross-country, or other extreme sports make having rider's insurance a necessity. These are not the only times when rider's insurance is a smart move, however. Even simple pleasure rides on a nearby trail can hold unseen dangers. Loose dogs, downed trees, or a car backfiring can give even the calmest of horses a start, and unseat the best of riders.

There is never a time when dealing with animals that, as loving as they may be, are still just animals and weight anywhere from eight to ten times as much as the average human is completely safe. Make sure you have the coverage you need to provide you with assistance if and when you need it. Just like health, car, and home insurance, we hope we will never have to use it, but are sure happy it is there when we do.