How Much Do Arabian Horses Cost

How Much Do Arabian Horses Cost

Arabians are an amazing breed of horse. Often thought of as one of the original breeds, they are intelligent and beautiful animals. Their beauty often makes them one of the favorite horse breeds for everyone and their lineage has influence dozens of other breeds over the years. They are literally a living piece of history.

How much do Arabian horses cost? Current listings place the average price for a champion Arabia at $10,000. Other factors may influence this price, including the specific lineage of the horse, its genetics, and even the current age of the horse.

If you want to get the best possible price for an Arabian horse, then here are the specific factors that you’ll want to ask questions about.

#1. Age

The prime age for an Arabian horse is between 7-14. Horses that are older than this may still have a higher cost than others, depending on the condition of the horse and its ability to breed. It’s important to remember that horses don’t really enter into senior status until around the age of 20, so horses that are further away from that age tend to cost a little more.

Foals can often be priced for less than an Arabian in the prime age as well. This is because there has been no training given to the horse. You’ll invest more into younger horses over time than an older horse, but you can often make your initial purchase for a better price. Some younger horses may be more expensive, however, do to other pricing factors that come into play during the transaction. 

#2. Bloodline

Horses with strong Arabian bloodlines with a championship pedigree are going to fetch a higher price. Top stallions are also usually worth more, especially if they have been accepted into an Arabian association’s stud book. Top quality mares are priced a little less than stallions, but will still command a higher price than the average Arabian on the average farm or breeding project.

If bloodlines are important to you, then the price of a horse with documented genetics is worth the investment. If you’re looking for an Arabian that is more for recreational purposes, you can save some money by avoiding this pricing factor. 

#3. Training

It takes time to train an Arabian to perform certain tasks or complete certain jobs. That time and the final skill the horse has developed in completing tasks or jobs will be built into the final price of the horse. The quality of the training the horse receives will increase the price as well. If a well-known trainer has worked with an Arabian, the price of that horse will be higher.

#4. Genetics

Horses can come from strong bloodlines, but have genetic issues which affect their health. An Arabian with a known health issue or a minor injury will be cheaper in price than other Arabians, but still perfectly suited to what your plans happen to be. It is a good idea to bring in a trusted veterinarian during the sales process if you look to save money this way to make sure that the overall health prospects of the horse are still positive when looked at in the long-term.

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#5. Competition Experience

Arabians that have competed in some way will always be priced higher than Arabians that have not competed. Even if the horse competed and failed to win anything, the simple act of competition drives up the price. The longer a horse spends racing, in a show ring, or performing equitation, then the more the owner of the horse is going to ask before agreeing to a sale.

#6. Personal Circumstances

Sometimes the current owner of an Arabian has a life change that needs to be handled. If someone is in a rush to sell their horse, you might be able to find a really good price for a top quality Arabian. You will also find that some owners really don’t care if they ever sell their horse or not, so they’ll ask for a top dollar amount and only sell if you’re willing to pay that price.

#7. Location

Different parts of the world can command different prices for an Arabian horse. In countries like the United States, there may even be different price structures on the East Coast when compared to the West Coast. Of course the actual cost is relative. If you live on the East Coast and the price of an Arabian is $12,000, it is still cheaper to purchase locally than to purchase a $10,000 Arabian on the West Coast and then spend $4,000 in transportation costs.

#8. Breeder Reputation

There are several well-established Arabian breeders that are operating around the world. Many of them will not only introduce you to their operations, but work with you to find a horse that is best suited to meet your needs. If you’re looking for an Arabian that will ride trails and be a therapeutic experiential treatment option, that’s a very different need than wanting an Arabian who can perform under high-pressure racing conditions.

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#9. Partnerships

Some Arabians are available for purchase in a partnership or business arrangement instead of an outright payment. This is typically seen in the more expensive racing horses, but some breeding programs are allowing for partnership owners for Arabians that are more for recreation than for racing. If the final price of the horse is $10,000, you could receive a 25% ownership with a $2,500 payment and then share “custody” of the horse with three other owners.

#10. Coat Color

Arabians have black skin. It is believed that this skin coloration developed in response to their original location in the APAC region and the Middle East where deserts are prominent. Most Arabians will come in a solid color shade, including chestnut, bay, grey, and black. Certain coat colors are sought after more than others, especially if the Arabian has more white markings within the coat than normal.

If you’re willing to settle for a little less than perfection in terms of coat appearance, then you can potentially save a lot on the final price of your new Arabian horse.

#11. Personality

Arabians are highly intelligent horses. They are curious, but not overly pushy in trying to find out what you are doing. Many are mild-mannered, enjoy receiving a lot of attention, and will work with you without much of an issue.

Some Arabians are used to being the Alpha Horse of their herd. Stallions in particular can be somewhat stubborn and aggressive, especially if their behaviors have been allowed without any guidance or discipline.

When there is a hot-tempered Arabian, there is a good chance that the price for the horse is going to be lower than a comparable mild-mannered horse. If you’re used to working with horses and don’t mind implementing some behavior modification techniques, it is possible to save several thousand dollars in this category alone.

#12. Geldings

Because geldings have been castrated or neutered, their ability to reproduce becomes virtually impossible. Only in rare situations can a gelding be restored to a full stallion. Because of this and the emphasis there is on breeding within horse communities, the price of a gelding Arabian will often be less than a full stallion.

For some owners, this is a reason for them to increase the price. There is the cost of the procedure that must be considered, as well as the fact that many horses who are gelded tend to become ridable when normally this may not be the case. 

#13. Ongoing Costs

The initial investment into an Arabian horse is important to consider, but so are your ongoing costs. There will be veterinarian services that must be provided to the horse on a regular basis, including vaccinations, routine physical inspections, and potential emergencies. There are feed costs that must be considered. So even though you may pay an average of $10,000 for the Arabian initially, you’ll likely be paying an average of $300-$600 per month to care for the horse.

If you need to board your horse at a third-party stable because you don’t currently have the room to keep the Arabian on your property, then the ongoing costs may double. 

When you’re looking to purchase a horse, the bottom line will always be this: you typically get what you pay for. How much do Arabian horses cost? There’s no set answer to that question. If you take into account all of the varying factors that go into how a price is set, then you can pay a price that is fair for you and for the owner. 

Compared to other breeds, the price of an Arabian is fairly modest. Even an inexpensive horse can be very valuable to you, however, and that’s ultimately the most important factor to consider. 

Because the ongoing costs are relatively the same for expensive or inexpensive Arabians, it makes sense to purchase the best quality horse that you can afford. That way you can enjoy being a horse owner without worrying about your budget.

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