Hegarty: More info on equine insurance

[Antitrust32]

great article.. well researched. Zayat took a lot of unneccisary bashing. You are right it would be nice of some of those journalists who took pot shots at them apologized. He wasnt in the wrong.

[Riot]

In Thorn Song's case, the insurance company paid out on the mortality claim because veterinarians had determined the horse's injuries would almost certainly result in a diagnosis that the horse should be euthanized. Following the injury and payment of the claim, however, the insurance company sent Thorn Song to Dr. Doug Herthel at the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, because the doctor wanted to try a novel stem-cell therapy on the horse to see if his injuries could be treated.

According to reports, Thorn Song, a 7-year-old horse, responded well to the treatments, and the insurance company is weighing whether he may have a stallion career ahead of him. Not a bad ending for a dead horse.

Best part!

[chucklestheclown]

Why would they pay out if they thought the horse could be treated?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

Why would they pay out if they thought the horse could be treated?

"Thorn Song's condition met criteria in the policy that authorized NAS to make a claim payment," the company said. After making the payment, the company took possession of the horse.

At that point Dr. Herthel asked to try to treat him with his stem cell program and what did the North American Specialty have to lose?

[chucklestheclown]

Originally Posted by Kasept

"Thorn Song's condition met criteria in the policy that authorized NAS to make a claim payment," the company said. After making the payment, the company took possession of the horse.

At that point Dr. Herthel asked to try to treat him with his stem cell program and what did the North American Specialty have to lose?

I know insurance companies are not in the business of advocating experimental procedures, but you would think they would be if it prevented a huge payout. What do they do with the horse now?

[Kasept]

Originally Posted by chucklestheclown

I know insurance companies are not in the business of advocating experimental procedures, but you would think they would be if it prevented a huge payout. What do they do with the horse now?

They're hoping he can move forward ultimately as a regional stallion prospect.

[blackthroatedwind]

Originally Posted by Kasept

They're hoping he can move forward ultimately as a regional stallion prospect.

I'm glad he's alive....but even in a good stallion market I find it hard to believe he has any value.

[philcski]

Originally Posted by Antitrust32

great article.. well researched. Zayat took a lot of unneccisary bashing. You are right it would be nice of some of those journalists who took pot shots at them apologized. He wasnt in the wrong.

Agreed- just need to look at who wrote the article to see why it was well researched and written.