If you are looking forward to owning one or more horses to take care of and ride, you will have to learn about the cost of these animals.
You can simply imagine that you just know which horse breed you want and buy them at horse-selling places or horse owners, but that’s not enough.
That’s why you may need our article to answer the question: “How much does a horse cost to buy?”. We will give you the necessary information about the price of a horse, price influencing factors and some significant costs that a beginner should know.
Table of Contents
What is the average price to buy a horse?
Prices of horse
In general, the baby horses cost several hundred dollars while a pedigree horse can make you pay thousands. However, you can expect payment about $1300 and note that many factors are contributing to this price. A horse ownership survey from the University of Maine shows that the average annual horse ownership cost is $ 3,876 per horse.
>>> Read more: Arabian Horses Price
Things to consider when buying a horse
When you first start with this expensive hobby, you should know how much to spend on a horse. Because some people cannot afford to keep these animals, they’ll abandon them when they cannot pay for the payments. So, you need to research all the costs to raise a horse before buying them like horse breed price, food and veterinary, places to keep and other maintenance.
Now check out the price of some favorite horse breed.
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Price list of different horse breeds
| Horse breed | Price | Lodging | Food | Veterinary care | Training | Accessory/ additional fees |
| Pony | a couple hundred dollars to tens of thousands For example: Shetlands: $300 to $1,500 Connemaras: $3,000 to $28,000 | about $200/ month | Hay: around $1,200/ year Supplement: Grain $140/ year or minerals $20/ year | Checkups: $250 Miscellaneous costs: worming $48/ year; hoof care $35 to $50/ month | $1,000 to $2,000/ year | Helmet, brush, shampoo, buckets and first aid: hundreds of dollars |
| Miniature | $1,000 to $200,000 | $50 to $150/ month | $25/ month (feed and hay) | Same as for larger horses | $300 and up/ month | Blankets: $25 to $65 Sheets: $20 to $45 Carts: $375 to $1,500 |
| Shire horse | $5000-$8000 or more | $500 to $2000/ month | $200 | Farrier + the cost of annual healthcare | Vary | Saddle: $700 Grooming gear: $100 |
| Clydesdale | $1000 to $1200, but most of them sold $2500 to $5000. | $500 to $2000/ month | $150 to $175/ month | Farrier: $25 to $150/ month + the cost of annual healthcare | Shoes: $150-$200 per 4–8 weeks
| |
| Thoroughbred (commonly used in horse racing) | Championship quality: $100,000 to $300,000 | Farm’s day rate: around $50 a day (when horses need a break) | Blacksmith – $80-$100/ month Veterinarian: $200-$1,500/ month Dentist: $75/ month Chiropractor: $75/ month | Trainer’s day rate: $85 – $95 up to $120 (day rate including feed, vitamins, supplies, etc.) | Entry fees: no fee for normal races, up to $120,000 for stakes races Trainer and Jockey Commissions: 10% for 1st place, 5% for 2nd and 3rd. Accounting: vary |
Note that the above costs are estimates only and depend on many other factors or costs incurred according to your needs of caring and competitions attendance. You should find out more about the law, the horse price market and the cost of participating in the race in your city.
>>> Read more: Friesian Horse Price
Some factors to identify high or low price of horse breeds
How do you know how much to spend on a horse that suits you? We bring you some main factors affecting a horse price.
Age of the horse
You should know the age of a horse is best from 7 to 14 years old. Although the price depends on conditions and breeding of a horse, older horses that are over the age range will be less valuable. However, many horses are still capable of working well in 20 years old.
Horse breeds
Horse breeds are also an essential factor that determines prices. There are some precious breeds like Quarter Horses, Paints and Warmbloods. You have to pay a higher price for a top stallion because it can be more valuable than its breed and easier to train well.
Trained or untrained
When a horse owner trains them deep and wide in a particular program, you will have to pay a better price if you want to own them. Also, training with a famous trainer will also increase the value of the horse. Note that a horse logs in the show ring or wins a few races will also cost more.
Health problems
If the horse has some health problems such as lameness or need medications, you can deal at a lower price. A little problematic horse is still suitable for riding, and you can have it with significant discounts. You should also check horses by veterinarians before paying.
Horse location or demand
You can know that in some areas of the U.S. you can buy horses cheaper than other places. If you live in an area with a shortage of a specific horse type, you have to pay more to get the horse you want.
The reasons for a sale
You can benefit from having lower horse prices when owners rush to sell due to life or family changes. In contrast, sellers who want to wait for suitable buyers will have a stable price.
Here some exciting things for you
With a horse having problems in health or training, you may have them for free. On the contrast, you will pay millions of dollars if a horse is in the top list of racehorses or a show horse has breeding potential. If you have $ 2,000 to $ 20,000, you can buy a well-trained horse with minimal health problems and pay more for a show horse.
Thoroughbred is one of the most expensive horse breed
All in all, how much does a horse cost to buy?
You can know briefly about the costs needed to own a horse. Now is the time to decide to buy them. Carefully choose for you the most suitable horse breed and review the factors that affect the price we have mentioned above to bargain the better prices.
You also need to learn more about local regulations, the horse market and horse care service in your city. Then, you can calculate precisely how much it costs for a horse and possibly saves more when you raise some horses at the same time, such as buying large quantities of food, making large stables, etc.
Wish you soon have good horses and don’t forget to share comments with us here.
Reference:
- https://www.horsemart.co.uk/general-equine/horse-prices-how-much-does-a-horse-cost-/739
- https://www.quora.com/How-much-does-a-horse-cost
- https://www.moneysupermarket.com/pet-insurance/cost-of-a-horse/
- https://www.moneycrashers.com/cost-owning-horse-alternatives-buying/
- https://pets.costhelper.com/pony.html
- https://www.equine.com/price-guide
- https://www.ehorses.com/buy-horse/shire-horse.html
- http://blog.littleredfeather.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-to-own-train-a-thoroughbred-racehorse
- https://everydayhorsing.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-get-a-horse/
