Why Equine Insurance is Critical During the Winter

by Penny Insurance Agency | Dec 17, 2019 | Pet Insurance, General Tips

Call Your Vet, Not Your Bank: Why Equine Insurance is Critical During the Winter

At Penny Insurance Agency, we understand your passion for horses, and we understand the time and monetary investments you make each day for your passion. For this reason, we offer customizable equine insurance policies from an independent, local agency you can trust. Horse ownership is a huge responsibility, and we’re here to provide you with what you need to keep your horse happy and healthy.

Because horses are well… horses… equine insurance is critical for your peace of mind when unplanned incidents occur. Especially in the winter, horses are much more susceptible to injuries and illnesses, which can result in serious stress and serious damage to your bank account if you’re not protected. Since winter isn’t melting away anytime soon, we’ve compiled some common risks your horse is exposed to during these months and why equine insurance is critical now more than ever.

1. Sliding on Bad Conditions With ice, sleet, and snow on the radar this winter, your horse is especially exposed to slipping, tripping, spraining, fracturing, or breaking an ankle or leg. It is very easy for horses to lose their footing in bad conditions and become lame in the blink of an eye. Horses will naturally move around outside during the cold months to keep warm and regulate their body temperature, so unfortunately, this mishap isn’t uncommon. Not only this, but snow can get packed into your horses’ hooves and damage their tissue, causing a separate injury to tend to.

2. Stiff Joints and Muscles, Causing Injuries Despite many horse owner’s best efforts, a large majority of horses experience stiff joints and muscles during the colder months of the year, which leads to a higher risk of injuries. With limited hours of daylight and harsh conditions outdoors, horses are often not ridden as frequently and can start to lose muscle strength and flexibility. This can result in stiff muscles that are easy to strain and pull. In addition, many older horses even experience arthritis and joint pain due to limited mobility, which can lead to serious complications.

3. Dehydration and Sickness Horses are accustomed to eating fresh grass during the warmer seasons, which provides significant hydration for them, but it’s difficult to come by fresh grass during the winter. 1 It is extremely important for horses to stay hydrated in the winter, because dehydration can trigger colic, the leading cause of equine deaths each year. In fact, 10% of the United States horse population suffers from colic each year. 2 When winter strikes and your horse’s main diet is dry food like grain and hay, you may need to be even more proactive about keeping your horse hydrated and ensuring that they have clean, accessible water at a lukewarm temperature. Furthermore, horses can catch colds and coughs just like humans, and they are more susceptible to respiratory complications when cooped up in barns without proper ventilation. It may seem beneficial to close barn doors in harsh conditions, but this can actually cause more damage than good, limiting natural airflow.

Although it is unpleasant to think about, accidents happen, especially with horses in the winter. We’re here to ease your worries with equine insurance policies customized to your needs, so that when accidents do happen, you can just call your vet, not your bank.

If you would like more information about our equine insurance coverage solutions, please give us a call at 828-692-9171 (Hendersonville, NC) or 828-859-6700 (Tryon, NC). We’re here for you (and your horse.)

https://dressagetoday.com/horse-health-/debunking-winter-horse-care-myths
https://www.horseillustrated.com/horse-news-equine-colic-research/amp
https://broadstoneequine.com/blog/winter-safety
https://www.petplan.com.au/blog/horse/winter-health-problems-for-horses/

Dog Days of Summer

by Penny Insurance Agency | Jul 9, 2019 | General Tips, Pet Insurance

We love the summer, and we love our fur babies, but that doesn’t necessarily mean our pets also love the summer. The summer months are a great excuse for you to enjoy the outdoors with your four-legged friend, but the heat and other outside influences can often prove dangerous for our pets. Taking precautions to ensure the safety of your pet is just as important as protecting your home and other valuables. 

Thankfully, most people know that leaving your pet trapped in a hot car can threaten their safety, but the heat outside can also be harmful. If your animal is left outside in the sun, they can be susceptible to heat stroke. Dogs and cats don’t sweat the same way humans do in order to cool down, causing their body tempDog Days of Summereratures to rise quickly when the temperature outside is close to that of their own. To prevent your animal from suffering a heat stroke, make sure they have enough water and adequate shade if they’re kept outside. A sign that your dog or cat may be overheating is if they’re panting excessively. 

Enjoying the sunny weather by taking your dog on a walk is a good way to spend the afternoon, but make sure the ground isn’t too hot for your dog’s paws. Hot surfaces like concrete, sand, and asphalt heat up fast and can quickly become too hot for your pup. To prevent their paws from burning, walk your dog in the grass or during the morning or evening, after the ground has cooled. A good test to measure if the ground is too hot is to place your hand on the ground your dog will be walking on for five to ten seconds. If your hand is hot and uncomfortable in that short time span, chances are your dog’s paws will be, too. 

If you’re planning on bringing your canine to the water, make sure he or she is equipped with the proper safety equipment. While some dogs instinctually know how to swim, they still might not be strong enough to do so on their own for an extended length of time. Stay near your pet at all times and consider having a life jacket if you are not confident in his/her swimming abilities. If you’ll be visiting the beach with your dog(s), it’s important they don’t stray far from the shore to avoid large waves and riptides. 

At Penny Insurance Agency, we understand that your pets are just as valued as any other member of your family. Pet insurance can cover injuries, illnesses, and veterinarian treatments, and in the summer, it’s necessary to make sure your pets get the best care possible. Contact us today to learn about how you can protect your canine and/or feline friends.