Do you need insurance as an equine bodyworker?
Short answer: yes. Working with horses comes with real risks. Whether you're just starting or already have a full practice, good insurance and basic risk management aren't optional. They protect your livelihood and give you peace of mind.
Why Do You Need Insurance?
Even careful practitioners run into surprises. I mean, we work with horses 😅 A horse might kick, bolt, set back or any number of things. A client might misunderstand what you do and make a claim. Or you could get injured and be unable to work for a while.
Insurance plus solid liability protections create a safety net. They shield your personal assets, meet professional standards that clients expect, and satisfy requirements from barns and insurers. Most importantly, they let you focus on the horses instead of worrying about "what if."
Starting without it might seem fine when money is tight, but it’s truly a non-negotiable (even when you’re poor!) and you'll be glad you have it if something goes wrong.
Types of Insurance to Consider
Liability Insurance This is the must-have, even when you're just getting started. It helps protect you if a client says your work caused issues for their horse or themselves. It can cover legal costs and more.
Coverage depends on what you do. For example, cryotherapy is often not included, so check details carefully.
Disability Insurance If you get hurt tomorrow and can't work, how do you pay the bills? This pays a portion of your income if an injury or illness sidelines you. It's optional but worth thinking about in this physical job.
It can be hard to find insurers that cover equine work, but there are some options out there like Globe Life Plans.
Another option is to utilize a separate savings account and put X amount of money in it each month as your rainy day fund if you are planning to get pregnant, got hurt and couldn’t work, wanted to go on vacation, needed to take time off, etc. Many bodyworkers choose this route over disability insurance!
Other Policies Worth Looking At
Personal Property: Covers your tools, equipment, and work vehicle (if applicable) from theft, damage, etc.
General Liability: For broader incidents (like someone tripping over your PEMF cord and breaking their wrist).
Professional Liability (errors and omissions): For claims related to your actual services.
Insurance Providers
There are actually a surprising number of providers for equine business insurance! There isn’t a right or wrong choice and ultimately, I recommend contacting several to determine what is the best fit/coverage for your situation and budget.
You can check out a list of insurance providers for FREE here.
Did you know that statistically, most bodyworkers don’t make it past their 3rd business anniversary? 😢
If you need support building, scaling, or learning how to run your business like a pro so that you can make money and still love what you do - I’m here to help!
Visit my website for more information about Business Coaching and my comprehensive bodyworker business course, the Barrio Business Blueprint - I’d love to work with you to create a sustainable, profitable business.
