Horse Cost

How Much Does a Horse Cost?

Medium: $1,000-$4,000

High: $2,500-$8,000

The price of horses varies according to what they will be used for--Trail Riding, Rodeo/barrel racing or English jumping--and how much training the animal has. The basic rule of thumb is the more training and experience a horse has, the more it will cost.

Typical costs:

Trail riders often choose Quarter Horses[1] which can cost $1,000-$4,000 or saddle mules[2] (half horse and half donkey), which run $1,000-$3,500.
Quarter horses are also used for rodeo/barrel racing or working cattle, along with Arabians and Thoroughbreds. These trained animals average $2,500-$7,000, but exceptional animals cost a great deal more.
English jumping riders chose Thoroughbreds and other breeds which can start under $2,000 but often run $3,500-$8,000.

Related articles: Owning a Dog, Owning a Cat

Additional costs:

Horses need hay which can run around $40 per month. Many simple trail horses subsist on hay alone--usually a mix of oat and alfalfa hay. Grain can run about $20-$40 per 50-pound sack.
Tack--necessary riding equipment--includes a saddle, bridle, halter and saddle pad and runs $400-$1,500, depending on the quality and style.
Buckets and grooming supplies can cost around $50-$100.
Stabling or boarding starts at $50 per month in areas where pastures are available year round, and goes up to $500 monthly for inside stalls and arena time. Horses are measured by the "hand." Stalls sizes vary from 8x8-foot pony stalls to 12x12-foot stalls for horses 17 hands and taller.
Common Veterinary costs include the Farrier (horseshoer) which runs $25-$100 every six weeks; hoof trimming, for $12-$75 and shots, for $10-$95 per dose. Rhiomine and loose mineral supplements run $25 every six months. Plan to spend $50-$250 for an emergency or unscheduled vet call Equine dental care can cost up to $150 and is needed twice a year.

Discounts:

Pawn shops sometimes sell tack at discount prices.
Many people offer their older horses free to good homes, but expensive veterinary bills can start to run up.

Shopping for a horse:

The United States Equine Rescue League, Inc. rescues and places horses around the country. An adoption application is available online.
Horse associations like the National Quarter Horse Association[3] and Arabian Horse Association[4] list member breeders with horses for sale.
Equisearch.com offers an online list of horses for sale[5] by breed and location.

Post

Comments (10)

CostHelper News

7 Lesser-Known Discounts for the 50+ Crowd
As they age, members of the Baby Boomer generation don't like to admit that they're senior citizens, but they love getting discounts. It's kind of a quandary, because some of the best deals available are reduced prices for older folks. || Posted October 21 2013

7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013



	‣ All CostHelper Blog Posts

What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Rescue horses

Amount: $500.00

Posted by: Chantelle Murray in Winnfield, LA.	Posted: April 14th, 2019 11:04AM
Breed: Arabian	Breeder: Unknown

I myself went with 3 rescues.all three were facing slaughter. Bail and board came to just under $900 each.utd coggins each run me about $300 a year for vet and vaccines. Hay $50 8/10 bails. X2 a month.rice bran $9 a big bag. $8 sweetfeed ×6 a month. Beet pulp $15 50lb bag ×2 monthly.avermec dewomer $7 every 90 days.i do my farrier work, training, working on my own. Sure i for got a few things. But dont think because i only paid under $1000 that i got unhealthy or problem horses. Fact is they are all gaited. All Arabians all well mannered.