Thousand-pound animals, planned for.
Commercial equine liability, care, custody and control, barn and property, and workers' comp for boarding stables, riding schools, trainers and equine therapy programs.
By Sam Alishahi · CA Insurance License #4348151 · Reviewed October 2026 · How this page is researched
Riders, boarders and the barn
Horses kick, spook and throw riders, even with good handling. A riding lesson, a trail ride or a visitor at the fence can turn into an injury claim. Many farm and home policies exclude business activity with horses, so a stable or lesson program needs commercial equine liability written for what you actually do.
If you board, train or haul other people's horses, you also need care, custody and control coverage in case a horse in your care is hurt or dies. I add barn and arena property, hay and tack, and workers' comp for grooms and instructors. Most of this business goes to specialty markets.
- Equine liabilityRider, visitor and student injuries.
- Care, custody and controlBoarded and training horses in your care.
- Barn and propertyStalls, arenas, hay, tack and equipment.
- Workers' compGrooms, trainers and instructors.
What underwriters will ask
Having these ready means I can go to market on the first call. The quote form asks for the same things, and anything you don’t know yet can wait.
- Operation: boarding, lessons, training, trail rides or therapy.
- Horses: number owned and boarded.
- Riders: lessons per week and age groups.
- Waivers: the release form riders sign.
- Property: barns, arenas and their values.
- Payroll and history: staff, current policy and claims.
Equine business insurance, answered
Do riding waivers replace insurance?
No. A signed release helps, but injured riders can still sue, and a waiver may not hold up against every claim, such as gross negligence. Insurers usually want to see your waiver and still require liability coverage.
Does my homeowners policy cover boarding a friend's horse?
Often not once money changes hands. Paid boarding is usually treated as a business, which needs its own coverage.
What if a boarded horse colics and dies?
Care, custody and control coverage may respond if you're found responsible, subject to the policy terms. Owners usually carry their own equine mortality coverage too.
Do I need workers' comp for barn help?
California generally requires it for employees, including part-time barn help. Trading lessons for work can still create an employee relationship.
Do you offer equine business insurance outside California?
Yes. Clients across the country send the same quote form. Sam Alishahi is licensed in 48 states and Washington, DC and places policies there directly. In Florida and Washington, where Sam's licenses are still being issued, a partner agency in your state helps in the meantime. The shopping across carriers works the same way. Rules, minimums and markets differ by state — see insurance requirements by state.
Insure your barn and riders.
Tell me about your horses, riders and boarders, and I'll take it to markets that write equine businesses.
Alishahi Insurance · Saman Alishahi, independent insurance broker, California License #4348151. General information, not a quote or a promise of coverage; coverage depends on underwriting and the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy actually issued. Some policies may be placed with nonadmitted (surplus lines) insurers, which are not members of the California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA).
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(877) 711-4545Answered 24/7 · CA License #4348151
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