Shipping Fever Prevention: Why Insurers Are Turning to VetTrue™ Horse Temperature Technology
Share
In the Bloodstock Insurance Industry, Transit Insurance is a critical component of any equine policy. Horses travelling internationally by land, sea, or air face a unique range of risks, the most common being a serious respiratory infection known as Shipping Fever. A horse developing this condition can become dangerously ill if the infection is not identified and treated at an early stage. The first—and most reliable—warning sign is an elevated temperature.
The VetTrue™ System from Epona Biotec was designed specifically to detect these early changes. Unlike a traditional thermometer, which provides a single snapshot of a horse’s temperature, the VetTrue™ System delivers continuous, real-time monitoring. This allows veterinarians, transport teams, and insurers to identify the subtle temperature increases that typically signal the onset of Shipping Fever. As a result, it has become the most effective way to detect Shipping Fever in horses during transport.
Industry Recognition and Insurance Integration
The value of continuous horse temperature monitoring has now been formally recognised within the Bloodstock Insurance sector. New Zealand–based C N Taylor Consulting is the first insurance company in the world to adopt the VetTrue™ System as part of its risk-mitigation strategy.
With international clients frequently transporting high-value Thoroughbreds, company director Cherry Taylorunderstands the seriousness of Shipping Fever.
“It’s not uncommon for us to be informed about a client’s horse that’s ill following a flight,” Taylor explains.
To encourage early detection and reduce avoidable losses, the company now offers a discount on transit insurance premiums when a horse is fitted with a VetTrue™ temperature monitor during transportation.
“It’s the perfect complement to insurance cover,” she adds. “An innovative way in which we can further protect our clients’ horses.”
A New Standard for Equine Transport Welfare
The VetTrue™ System is poised to become an industry standard. It provides a cost-effective, practical solution to a long-standing problem, and importantly, it represents a significant advance in improving equine welfare during the transportation process. By replacing isolated thermometer checks with continuous, actionable data, VetTrue™ helps ensure that horses travel more safely—and arrive healthier.
