Horses are beautiful animals that serve many purposes. Some are war horses, some are sport horses, and some are workhorses. No matter what purpose they may have, they can be very expensive. However, some horse breeds top this chart, even reaching hundreds and thousands of dollars!
Akhal-Teke
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Akhal-Teke is a breed of horse considered to be the direct descendant of ancient riding horses from Turkmenistan. They reach maturity at five to six years, which is relatively late. Nonetheless, the Akhal-Teke horse has excellent speed, unfathomable strength, and a soft, elastic jump. To have your very own Akhal-Teke, you must prepare at least $10,000 on average.
Thoroughbred
This horse breed is known to have done it all. They are someone’s ride, help on farms, and even charge into battles. But now, Thoroughbreds are known for racing, and their bloodline and rich history make them stand out amongst all other horses. Gary Fenton of Little Red Feather notes that championship-quality horses cost between $100,000 and $300,000, and you’d need around $45,000 for annual maintenance.
Andalusian
The Andalusian horse is known as a war horse. It hails from Spain and is often associated with the nobility or the royal family. Today, the Andalusian horse can frequently be seen in competitions. Factors such as bloodlines will affect an Andalusian horse’s worth, typically costing anywhere from $3,000 to $60,000.
Arabian
The Arabian horse is one of the most well-known and beautiful horse breeds. Britannica says these horses are renowned for their speed, intelligence, stamina, and gentleness. Their history also dates back to the seventh century. Horses from prized bloodlines will cost more, but the average price for this horse is between $5,000 and $20,000.
Dutch Warmblood
The Dutch Warmblood is a special horse breed because it’s managed by the Royal Warmblood Horse Studbook of the Netherlands. According to Mad Barn, this ensures the quality and performance of registered horses. Prices may vary depending on age, training, and pedigree, but these horses cost between $5,000 and $25,000 on average.
Gypsy Vanner
According to the Gypsy Vanner Horse Society, this horse was specifically bred for decades, and its primary purpose was to haul and pull the Gypsy caravan. Today, they still pull carts and carriages, but because of their calm nature, they are also considered great family horses. The Horse Riding Guide notes that a purebred adult Gypsy Vanner will cost around $5,000 to $15,000.
Clydesdale
The Clydesdale horse is a horse from Lanarkshire, Scotland, and it got its name because Lanarkshire is near the River Clyde. These horses were originally bred for heavy industrial and farm work because they had well-defined withers and strong backs, making them powerful workhorses. Today, you can buy a Clydesdale horse if you have anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000. It’s a big range, but usually, they sell for anywhere between $2,500 and $5,000.
Oldenburg
According to the Oklahoma State Breeds of Livestock, the Oldenburg is one of the top lines in Germany and one of the most important breeds in the country. It is known for its strength, great power, and kind character. Oldenburgs can also be excellent jumpers who win big awards. So, their prices range anywhere from $6,000 to a whopping $100,000!
Holsteiner
Globe Trotting describes the Holsteiner as a top-class sport horse. However, they were initially used to pull artillery wagons during World Wars I and II. Holsteiners are athletic and graceful, with a well-proportioned body, solid backs, and strong muscles. Holsteiners with Olympic-level potential will no doubt cost more, but they typically range from $10,000 to $30,000.
Selle Français
The International Federation for Equestrian Sports noted, “The Selle Français is renowned for its elegance, powerful impulsion, and eager-to-please, almost dog-like disposition that makes it fun and highly trainable.” These horses are world-famous for their finesse in showjumping and are the preferred horses of the French Olympic Equestrian team—for good reason! Because of their prestige and breeding, the Selle Français can cost anywhere from $7,500 to more than $200,000!
Lipizzaner
Britannica notes that the Lipizzaner is slightly smaller than other horses but has a long back and thick neck. These horses are rare and usually found in countries originally part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Lipizzaners are great horses, but among the best would be those trained at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. If you’re considering purchasing a Lipizzaner, you’d best be ready to shell out anywhere from $9,000 to $25,000.
American Paint Horse
The Spruce Pets notes that the American Paint Horse’s most distinctive trait is its colored coats. However, beyond this, it’s also a very muscular horse with a well-balanced structure. These horses are also very friendly and easygoing, and because of their intelligence, they are highly trainable. According to Horses Only, champions of this breed can cost more than $20,000; on average, they cost around $5,000 to $7,000.
Hanoverian
Hanoverians are among the best sport horses. According to Mad Barn, “Hanoverians have won gold medals in all three Olympic equestrian disciplines, a testament to their versatility.” Because of their remarkable qualities, the average Hanoverian horse registered in a studbook and with a history of professional dressage will cost around $16,000. However, it can even go up to $45,000.
Morgan
Morgans came from its predecessor, a horse named Justin Morgan, and it may be a cross between a Thoroughbred and an Arabian horse. Because of their ancestry, Morgans are magnificent horses—with smooth lines, expressive eyes, crested necks, and small ears. These horses are great for racing, parades, and even hard labor. Morgans would cost around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the horse’s age, training, pedigree, and health.
Appaloosa
According to the Oklahoma State Breeds of Livestock, the Appaloosa is a great horse for many disciplines: races, dressage, jumping, roping, reining, and more. They can even be great family horses! Appaloosas also have an eager-to-please attitude and gentle dispositions, making them great horses to train and work with. On average, Appaloosas can cost between $1,000 to $10,000.
Friesian
For Animal Life, the Friesian horse is a horse of contradictions. On the outside, its muscular physique exudes strength and power; on the inside, though, it’s very gentle and docile. It was widely popular as a war horse that carried knights into battle, but today, it’s used for more recreational purposes. Friesian horses are costly, and a registered breeding stallion can cost up to $200,000!
American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse is a special horse in the hearts of Americans because it’s widely considered one of the country’s oldest horse breeds. It is famous for its athleticism, speed, and trainability. If you want to purchase an American Quarter Horse because you’d like a family horse, a ranch mate, or a pet, you need around $5,000 to $10,000. However, foals are much cheaper; you can get one for less than $2,000!
Standardbred
The Standardbred is an American horse breed developed for harness racing. It is a descendant of Thoroughbreds and is considered the fastest trotting breed in the world. Lancaster Farming published an article in 2023 about the rise in costs for Standardbreds. According to the article, yearlings now cost an average of $20,000, while some can be purchased for anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000.
Mustang
According to The Spruce Pets, Mustangs are free-roaming horses. They are intelligent and versatile and can become great riding partners if trained properly. Mustangs live for 25 to 30 years, but some can live up to 40. These horses can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.
Norwegian Fjord Horse
Visit Norway notes that the Norwegian Fjord Horse is one of the oldest horses in the world and is considered one of three horses that originated in Norway. Because they are mild-tempered and calm, Norwegian Fjord Horses can also be used for therapeutic riding. Sadly, the Norwegian Fjord Horse is now endangered, with only around 5,500 remaining in Norway. If you plan to purchase one, get ready to spend anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000.