Breeding Horse Insurance
Protect your breeding programme and bloodline
Breeding horses—mares, stallions, and foals—need specialised protection. Our breeding insurance covers mortality, fertility issues, foal loss, and breeding-related complications. With live foal cover, breeding liability, and Loss of Use protection for breeding inability, we support stud operations of all sizes. From small private breeders to commercial stud farms, our policies adapt to breeding programmes across New Zealand.
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Breeding Horses
Breeding horses—mares, stallions, and foals—need specialised protection. Our breeding insurance covers mortality, fertility issues, foal loss, and breeding-related complications. With live foal cover, breeding liability, and Loss of Use protection for breeding inability, we support stud operations of all sizes. From small private breeders to commercial stud farms, our policies adapt to breeding programmes across New Zealand.
Key Features
Breeding Mare & Foal Protection
Breeding mares represent a significant ongoing investment. Mares at breeding studs across Waikato, Canterbury, Taranaki, and other regions depend on breeding protection. Our mare insurance includes mortality cover (typically 2.8–3.4 per cent per annum) plus live foal insurance covering the risk of foal loss or stillbirth. A healthy foal might be worth NZ$5,000–NZ$50,000+ depending on bloodline and prospects. Live foal cover protects this value. If the foal is stillborn or dies within the first 30 days of life from natural causes (not from owner negligence), live foal insurance pays. This encourages breeders to invest in quality breeding stock with confidence.
Pregnancy & Breeding-Related Complications
Pregnancy complications can occur in mares—red bag delivery, uterine rupture, severe dystocia (difficult birth), post-foaling infection. Difficult foaling can result in emergency veterinary bills exceeding NZ$3,000–NZ$8,000. Our major medical cover includes pregnancy-related complications and breeding-related injury. We cover emergency veterinary care for delivery complications, uterine infection, or peritonitis following foaling. Veterinary fees for colic, laminitis, or infection post-breeding are covered under the major medical component. Foaling is a critical time—appropriate insurance ensures mares get necessary emergency care.
Stallion & Breeding Soundness Insurance
Standing stallions have unique coverage needs. A valuable stallion might suffer an injury compromising breeding ability (testicular injury, spermatic cord damage, lameness preventing breeding mounting). Our Loss of Use cover for stallions protects against this scenario. If a stallion becomes unable to breed due to injury or illness, Loss of Use cover pays compensation. We also provide reproductive failure cover—if a stallion has low fertility or is unable to conceive mares, additional cover options are available for breeding-focused operations. This is essential for valuable breeding stallions.
Young Foals & Weanlings
Young foals and weanlings are vulnerable to infection, developmental abnormalities, and injury. Our foal mortality insurance covers foals from birth through to specified ages (typically 30 months for bloodstock, ongoing for other breeds). Premiums for foal cover are modest—often NZ$200–500 per year for healthy foals. We recommend insurance from birth to protect against common foal threats: neonatal infection, angular limb deformities, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and early developmental issues. Young bloodstock is your investment in the future—protect it from day one.
Supporting NZ Breeding Operations
New Zealand breeding operations range from small private studs with a few mares to large commercial breeding farms. We provide flexible breeding insurance supporting all scales of operation. Our team understands breeding cycles, market demands, and the financial importance of successful foal crops. Whether you're breeding sport horses, thoroughbreds, or other disciplines, we provide comprehensive insurance tailored to your breeding programme.
Who Should Consider This?
- →Breeding mares in active production
- →Standing stallion owners
- →Foal producers and breeders
- →Stud farms with breeding operations
- →Commercial breeding programmes
Indicative Premium Ranges (NZ)
| Horse Category | Typical Premium | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Breeding Mare | 3.0–3.6% p.a. | Proven broodmares, valuable bloodlines |
| Foal Mortality Cover | NZ$300–500/year | Foals from birth to weaning |
| Standing Stallion | 3.2–4.0% p.a. | Breeding stallions, stud operations |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does live foal insurance actually cover?
Live foal insurance covers the risk of foal loss due to stillbirth or early death (typically within 30 days). If a mare gives birth to a stillborn foal or if the newborn foal dies from natural causes—infection, developmental abnormality, etc.—within the specified period, the insurer pays the foal's insured value. This typically equals 50 per cent of the mare's insured value.
Do I need to pre-declare a breeding plan or pregnancy?
We don't require advance notice of breeding or pregnancy, but we do appreciate it. If you're planning to breed during the policy year, let us know so we can ensure cover is appropriate. Cover automatically applies to foals born to insured mares, though we may re-rate the foal once born if it's a separate insured item.
What if the foal is born with a genetic defect?
Foals born with congenital defects (contracted tendons, angular limb deformities, etc.) are generally covered by live foal insurance as long as the foal dies or is humanely destroyed due to the defect. However, if a foal survives with a correctable defect, this is typically not a live foal claim—it's a separate foal mortality claim only if the foal later dies.
Can I breed a mare during her cover period?
Yes, mares can be actively bred whilst insured. Pregnancy and breeding are part of the normal use of a breeding mare. Cover continues through pregnancy, foaling, and post-foaling recovery. We recommend not breeding mares under age 3 years or over age 25 years without discussion, as these carry elevated risk.
Is in-hand breeding or embryo transfer covered?
Yes, both natural breeding and reproductive technologies (artificial insemination, embryo transfer) are covered. If a mare is inseminated or receives an embryo as part of the breeding programme, this is part of normal breeding use. Costs of the breeding procedure itself (vet fees for AI, embryo transfer fees) are not covered by mortality insurance—they're veterinary costs you pay directly.
Do you cover boarding and farm liability for breeding facilities?
We can provide stud farm liability cover as a package. This includes public liability for visitors, emergency personnel access, and liability arising from breeding operations. If you board mares or own standing stallions, let us know and we'll arrange appropriate liability coverage alongside mortality cover.
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