Paying someone to feed - liability?

[purlsnponies]

Hello! I have 2 elderly mares that get along well and are out 24/7. I’ve recently found someone to help me feed every other weekend - he’s retired, dependable, has worked with horses in the past. He gives the mares their mush, fly sprays them, checks water, throws hay. No mucking or handling. Often I’m away while he’s feeding… it gives me the opportunity to go camping, hang out in town, etc.

Should I be worried about liability? Feeling stupid that I hadn’t considered that before… Are there questions I should be asking him, or my homeowner’s insurance agent? Waiver? Signs?

Thank you!!

[trubandloki]

@purlsnponies

He gives the mares their mush, fly sprays them, checks water, throws hay. No mucking or handling

How does he fly spray them without handling them?

[purlsnponies]

He can walk up and spray them while they’re eating; they’ll just stand.

[candyappy]

In the past when I would farm sit or have someone farm sit for me this never even came up. I guess in todays world it might be a good idea to ask your insurance person? Have the guy sign something ?

Really sad it has come to this for every little thing.

[LilRanger]

What liabilty are you thinking? LIke he gets hurt moving hay? or the mares don’t get fed because he forgets?

I would think your homeowners would cover any accidents on your property, his health insurance (if he’s getting any) would also cover him.

What might not be covered is if he injures the horses.

[Weezer]

I’ve never considered liability when I’ve had someone come take care of my horses for a week at a time (a few times per year). The woman who takes care of my horses is a sensible person and I guess I assume that if someone gets hurt we’ll sort it out. Not a bad idea to check with your insurance agent. Our provincial equestrian club membership includes liability if someone is injured by my horses and I assume home insurance includes a person being injured on the property, whether they are working or visiting.

[Libby2563]

@Weezer

The woman who takes care of my horses is a sensible person and I guess I assume that if someone gets hurt we’ll sort it out.

Just keep in mind that no matter how sensible the person is, if she does get hurt her health insurance company has the right to go after you on her behalf. I always explain that to friends when I ask them to sign a waiver before riding my horses because some people take it weirdly personally (like, “You really think I’m going to sue you??” And I say, “No, but your insurer can!”)

[purlsnponies]

Awesome, thanks everyone! Sounds like it’s not something commonly thought about… but definitely worth calling my insurance agent about. I’ve worked on horse farms for 20 years and had never considered injury and liability. However, now that the liability becomes mine…

[nlf212]

That is such a good point! Sad that people take it as an insult sometimes

[wsmoak]

@purlsnponies

Should I be worried about liability?

I can’t tell whose/what kind of liability you are asking about, but yes.

Anyone you are paying to care for your horses needs to have liability insurance. Worst case scenario: he leaves a gate open, the horses get out and cause a car wreck in which people are injured or killed.

Here is the info on the policy that my farm sitter has. Every year she sends me the coverage certificate. https://www.petsitllc.com/pet-business-insurance-options

They used to have language about horses somewhere on their site but I couldn’t find it today. I emailed the company and they confirmed

Per the insurance underwriter:
The PSA program policy provides coverage for the caring of all domestic pets, including dogs, cats, rodents, reptiles, birds, fish, etc. The PSA program policy also provides coverage for the caring of horses and other “farm animals” as long as they are considered pets and are not intended for farm use. For example, the policy would provide coverage for caring for a pet goat, but it would not provide coverage for a cow meant for slaughter or chickens used for eggs.

If he’s only doing this for you and doesn’t want the added expense, then maybe you could offer to pay for the policy. At $200/year it’s worth the peace of mind IMO.

I’m also assuming you’re in the US. The old forum used to show a location, I can’t find it in this one.

[purlsnponies]

@wsmoak

https://www.petsitllc.com/pet-business-insurance-options

That’s all very helpful, thank you! Clearly I’m confused about the various types of liability… will have to do some reading. I appreciate the link and extra info very much.

[IPEsq]

My pet sitter has insurance, and it would be nice for your farm sitter to as well. But if they aren’t doing that as a business they might not. You may want to have horse owner insurance, which would not just cover if your horse hurts this person but also if he leaves a gate open and your horse runs out into the road and causes an accident (might be your liability as horse owner as much as his for leaving gate open). But I don’t know if you might already have some larger policy covering that piece if your horses are at home (vs a boarding stable).