Worry when insurance runs out/exclusions apply

[Kaleidos]

I'm sure there will be lots of varying opinions on this but I'm worrying like crazy about when my insurance will no longer cover my horse's legs and other conditions which are very likely to flare up in the future. I don't want to reveal too much as possibly identifying.

I have already paid out thousands and sacrificed a huge amount to give the best care possible. I have already increased and maxed out my working hours and income potential and live as frugally as possible, but with the cost of living as it is, I am seriously concerned about future vet bills when exclusions will apply. It's breaking my heart.

I've had my boy since he was a baby and he is my absolute world. Everyone tells me I've seen him through far more already than most would, and to an extent he's well and in the best health possible. But the anxiety about what might/is likely to happen in the future is breaking me. He's only 10 and very complex management due to different needs that are often hard to balance - ie what's good for one condition can be bad for another etc.

I would be completely reluctant for anyone else to take him on, firstly because without the experience of his history and nature, I don't think there will be many out there capable of balancing it all properly and seamlessly, and secondly it doesn't feel fair on either him or another home, as he's only ever been with me and it feels like he's a ticking time bomb.

I do suffer from anxiety in anycase and it's hard to tell if this is just anxiety, or if I am missing something in rationally thinking it all through. I swing between thinking I just have to deal with it when it happens and have him pts if I can't afford treatment and thinking I am being selfish and irresponsible for keeping him when someone else might be able to provide for him better. But the anxiety of trying to find someone and rooting out all the numpties who will either over commit their own capabilities, or push him more than he is capable of (he's a flashy type with good breeding but due to injury mustn't be over schooled or jumped) is breaking me.

Not sure what I'm asking really, it's just helping to get it all out in writing. Has anyone else experienced this type of situation? How did it work out? How did you cope?

It's difficult. Mine are no longer insured as I can't afford the premiums. I had one elderly girl PTS this summer, not due to cost, but it was a relief going into winter as she was on very expensive meds. Have just had another one poorly and am expecting a four figure bill shortly. I just put it on a credit card and pay for it when I can. I would never consider rehoming an elderly or fragile horse. You just don't know what may happen to them.

Thanks @elastamum and yes, the credit card has been my friend up til now and would be the only optionin the future. I am due for the first time to have cleared the previous debt on it and it's hard balancing the strain the thought of more credit card debt puts on the family and dc missing out because of it. I carry a lot of guilt because of that and judgement from them and non-horsey friends. Not easy is it.

It's also a weird situation where we both have seen each other through so much. If he hadn't had his issues I'd have had to sell him years ago when I lost my job and weirdly I am a bit grateful that he does have issues because otherwise I wouldn't be able to justify having him at all! This is where I need the reality check and be certain I am doing the best by him, and not clinging on for my own sake and being irresponsible not to better secure a future for him with someone else. I guess if someone came along that I knew and trusted and I believed wholeheartedly they could manage, I would consider it, but open market fills me with absolute horror.

And not just manage, but do better.

I don’t insure… I’d never put a horse through colic surgery and my vets have a good payment plan

I don't have an answer but the exclusions on insurance are a nightmare. It basically gives you a year to get an issue sorted, and that's it!

Sometimes I wonder about giving up on insurance and just saving the premiums- I'd have probably saved up the maximum insurance payout within 3 years anyway.

I do think if it's impacting your children, unfortunately at some point you do have to say enough is enough though- I'm sorry.

As hard as it is, at some point you have to weight out the cost/benefit of continually paying for treatment, especially if you're at a point where the debt is impacting your family - and especially your children.

Ten is very young though so I can see why you want to keep going. Is there an option of putting him on part loan or something to make you some extra money?

It's not consistent treatment thankfully, just for flare ups. So while all is good, it is good and manageable! The dc don't have everything they want, but the do have everything they need. I'd just calculated and planned that I would be in a better place by now and would be able to do a bit more for them, things that all their friends are able to do, and our home would be in a better state of repair than it is. As it is everything is just as much of a struggle as it was when I lost my job. But I know also it would be a whole lot worse if I hadn't increased my earnings already, so I have to be thankful for that! There are many in a worse place and it's a first world problem, that's for sure.

So I think it's just carry on for now, until the next "big thing" happens and I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it. Thanks for reading and the thoughts, it's been helpful