The most expensive horse insurance claims

Some horse health issues come with staggering vet bills, costing thousands to treat. Be prepared by learning more about these costly claims.

Owning a horse is rewarding but comes with some big responsibilities. Horses need regular care, and vet bills can be costly. Some health conditions are so expensive to treat that they can leave owners struggling financially. That’s why horse insurance is essential, it helps cover unexpected medical costs so your horse gets the best care without breaking the bank.

Top 10 most expensive horse insurance claims

Here are the 10 most expensive horse insurance claims received by Agria, along with the amount paid for each one*.

Orbital trauma – £6,411.39
Large intestinal obstruction – £6,028.29
Septic arthritis – £5,417.23
Oblique distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis – £5,313.77
Small intestinal impaction – £4,577.15
Sepsis – £4,493.35
Caudal cruciate ligament instability – £4,421.53
Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) – £3,819.37
Benign melanoma of the iris – £3,321.68
Skin papilloma – £2,965.93

*Based on all Agria Pet Insurance claims received between January 2026 and July 2026.

1. Orbital trauma – £6,411.39 claim

Orbital trauma is an injury to the eye socket or the area around it. It can happen if a horse hits a solid object, is kicked or has another accident involving its head.

The eye area may look swollen, painful or bloody. There may also be discharge, or the horse may struggle to open its eye. Sometimes, the eye looks different or the horse’s sight is affected.

A vet will examine the eye for signs of damage. They may also use ultrasound, X-rays or a CT scan to look at the eye socket and nearby bones.

Treatment depends on the injury. The horse may need pain relief or antibiotics. Surgery may be needed to repair broken bones or damaged tissue. More serious injuries often need urgent specialist care, which can add to the cost.

2. Large intestinal obstruction – £6,028.29 claim

A large intestinal obstruction is a blockage in the horse’s large intestine. It’s one possible cause of colic.

A horse may paw the ground, roll or look towards its flanks. They may also stop eating, sweat or pass fewer droppings. The pain may come and go.

Your vet will examine the horse to find the cause. They may feel inside the rectum, pass a tube into the stomach or use ultrasound and blood tests.

Some blockages clear with fluids, pain relief and other treatment. More serious cases may need emergency surgery and a stay in an equine hospital.

3. Septic arthritis – £5,417.23 claim

Septic arthritis is a serious infection inside a joint. It is usually caused by bacteria entering through a wound, during surgery or through the bloodstream. Foals are especially at risk if an infection spreads from elsewhere in their body.

The joint is often hot, swollen and painful. The horse may be lame or avoid putting weight on the affected leg. Some horses also develop a high temperature.

A vet will usually take a sample of fluid from the joint. Blood tests and scans may also be needed.

Treatment must start quickly. It often includes cleaning out the joint, giving antibiotics and relieving pain. The horse may also need surgery and a stay in an equine hospital.

4. Oblique distal sesamoidean ligament desmitis – £5,313.77 claim

This condition affects ligaments that help keep the fetlock joint stable. Desmitis means that one or more of these ligaments have become inflamed or damaged.

The horse may become lame, but other signs can be hard to spot. There isn’t always obvious heat or swelling.

Your vet may use nerve blocks to find where the pain is coming from. An ultrasound or MRI scan can then show the damage.

Treatment usually begins with rest. This is followed by a gradual rehabilitation programme. Medication, special shoes or other treatments may also help. Finding the problem and helping the horse recover can take time, adding to the cost.

5. Small intestinal impaction – £4,577.15 claim

A small intestinal impaction happens when food or other material becomes stuck in the small intestine. This causes a blockage and can lead to colic.

Signs may include pawing, rolling, sweating and looking towards the flanks. The horse may stop eating or have a faster heart rate. The pain may keep returning or become worse.

Your vet will examine the horse and may use ultrasound or blood tests. They may also pass a tube into the stomach.

Some horses get better with fluids, pain relief and close monitoring. If the blockage doesn’t clear, emergency surgery may be needed. The horse may then need intensive care while they recover.

6. Sepsis – £4,493.35 claim

Sepsis is a life-threatening response to an infection. It affects the whole body and can cause problems with blood flow. In severe cases, it can damage the organs and lead to shock.

The infection may begin in the lungs, abdomen, womb or joints. Newborn foals are at greater risk because their immune systems are still developing.

Signs can vary. The horse may be weak, lose their appetite or have a fast heart rate. Their temperature may be too high or too low, and their gums may look different. A very ill horse may struggle to stand.

Treatment often includes antibiotics, fluids and pain relief. The horse may also need medicine to support their circulation. Vets will need to find and treat the original infection too.

Horses with sepsis usually need close monitoring and intensive hospital care.

7. Caudal cruciate ligament instability – £4,421.53 claim

The caudal cruciate ligament is found inside the stifle joint at the top of the horse’s back leg. It helps keep the joint stable.

If the ligament is injured, the stifle can become painful or unstable. The horse may also have lameness that doesn’t go away.

A vet will watch how the horse moves and may use nerve or joint blocks to find the source of the pain. Ultrasound, X-rays or a small camera placed inside the joint may also be needed.

Treatment depends on the amount of damage. It may include rest, gentle exercise, medication and physiotherapy. Some horses need surgery.

Recovery can take a long time, especially if arthritis develops in the joint.

8. Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) – £3,819.37 claim

Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, or EDM, damages parts of the brain and spinal cord. It usually affects younger horses. Genetics and low vitamin E levels early in life may both play a part.

A horse with EDM may seem unsteady or stand awkwardly. They may drag or scuff their toes and have trouble placing their feet. The early signs can be easy to miss and may affect all four legs.

There is no single test that can confirm EDM while a horse is alive. A vet may carry out tests to check the horse’s balance, movement and reflexes. Other tests can help rule out conditions that cause similar signs.

A definite diagnosis usually requires the nervous system to be examined after the horse has died.

There is no cure once nerve damage has developed. Vitamin E may help if the horse has a deficiency, but it can’t repair permanent damage.

Care then focuses on keeping the horse comfortable and safe. Poor coordination may eventually make the horse unsafe to ride or handle.

9. Benign melanoma of the iris – £3,321.68 claim

A melanoma of the iris is a growth in the coloured part of the eye. A benign growth isn’t cancerous and is unlikely to spread. However, it can still grow and cause problems inside the eye.

The growth may be found during a routine eye check. Sometimes, the eye looks different or becomes painful. The horse’s sight may also be affected.

A vet will examine the eye and may use ultrasound to check the growth. A small melanoma that isn’t changing may only need regular checks.

If the growth causes pain or threatens the horse’s sight, laser treatment or surgery may be an option. In severe cases, the eye may need to be removed.

Read more about common eye problems in horses.

10. Skin papilloma – £2,965.93 claim

A skin papilloma is a wart-like growth. In horses, papillomas are often caused by a virus and are most common in younger animals. They usually grow around the muzzle, lips or lower legs.

Many are harmless and disappear without treatment. However, your vet may want to check a growth if it looks unusual, becomes sore or doesn’t go away. They may take a small sample of tissue for testing.

A papilloma may need to be removed if it becomes damaged or rubs against tack. Treatment may also be needed if the growth makes eating uncomfortable.

Costs can rise if there are several growths or the horse needs surgery. Tests may also be needed to make sure the growth isn’t something more serious.

Why horse insurance is important

As these claims show, treating a horse can cost thousands of pounds. Scans, surgery, hospital stays and a long recovery can all add to the bill.

Horse insurance can help with eligible costs if your horse becomes ill or injured. This can make it easier to focus on their care without as much worry about the expense.

For more information, read our guide to the most common horse health conditions claimed on pet insurance.

Written by: Adam Jolley
Last reviewed on: 9 September 2026

About the Author

Adam Jolley is a writer specialising in insurance, personal finance, and pets. He’s worked for Confused.com and Admiral Insurance, and currently writes and edits for an online magazine. His strangest pet was a hissing cockroach. Now, he’s a proud cat dad to Penelope, affectionately known as Nelly.