
Over the next 10 months NAES will feature the Top 10 Horse, Tip and Blog-Case of the month from our archives.
If you have a favorite - email us. David D. Johnson

January 2021
#3, From August, 2010
Many years ago I was asked to review the circumstances surrounding the rather mysterious death of a Quarter Horse at an Oklahoma show facility. The owners had put in a claim under their mortality insurance for $50,000.00, the face amount of the policy.
I hired a separate independent veterinarian who performed a necropsy on the animal, much to the alarm of the owners, I might add. In fact, I had to retain the services of the insurance company’s attorney and the local sheriffs department to prevent the owner’s own veterinarian from interfering with the procedure.
Upon examining the details of the case, the IVE, (Independent Veterinary Examination), determined that the horse had died of a severe anemic condition; the horse was dehydrated with very little blood in his system.
The insurance company’s veterinarian discovered that the horse had lost several quarts of blood; the owner and their own vet could provide no reasons for the animal’s condition. This information was turned over to the insurance claims adjuster with the report’s findings suggesting possible fraud.
The insurance company then required the claimant to sue for recovery of any part of the $50,000.00 since there was little evidence as to how the blood was removed and by whom; the claim was eventually paid but at a much reduced rate.
The news of the “jugging” of a very good show horse spread widely and the exhibitors were barred from further showing under “for cause” provisions of many horse show contracts.
Unfortunately, the draining of blood in a competitive western pleasure show horse was often used by unscrupulous exhibitors in an effort to quiet the horse in the show ring.
Situations such as the above are extremely rare now since much more aggressive examination techniques are used by all the horse show associations. In addition, most exhibitors would never do anything as horrible to horses that give us so very much and ask for nothing in return.
Archived Blogs - at this link
Proving again that the truth is stranger than fiction...
I pick out a specific case from the hundreds
that I have worked on in the past years and give you a brief
rendition of the facts and outcome. And, I may cover related topics.
Taking advantage of situations that have occurred to others may lead
you to say things to yourself like, “Boy I’m glad
that didn’t happen to me!” Anyway, for sheer entertainment
value, you’ll like them.
After reading the Blog, please
feel free to call or e-mail with any questions or comments. Although I will not be taking comments on this blog, your feedback is welcomed. |

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David D. Johnson operates North American Equine Services,
LLC as its President and CEO. The company, based in Phoenix,
Arizona specializes in litigation consulting, related activities
and horse appraisals for the legal and insurance communities
and has been doing so for the past 39 years throughout North
America. more... |

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As a licensed official with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), Mr. Johnson fully supports and promotes the organization’s efforts with the safety and welfare of horses and riders. The USEF has instituted a Safe Sport Policy available at this link.
Questions and answers regarding the USEF Policy are available as FAQ’s at this link. NAES has had similar policies in place since its inception.
NAES clients expect absolute confidentiality in their dealings with our firm. more... |
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January 2021
#3 From: May 2020
Know your State Feed Lien Laws - It is helpful for boarding stable owners to be an expert in their own state’s feed lien laws, (sometimes called agister’s laws).
With the economy as it is, your signed boarding contract is crucial. Jurisdictions may allow ownership to pass to you after a certain number of days of abandonment or non-payment of past due bills.
Be sure to have an attorney review the boarding contract and the attorney should review your state’s Feed Lien Laws. |
Current & Past Tips |

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- FREE phone discussion for however long it takes to discuss anything horse-related.
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