Arabian Horse Prices in 2023: Purchase Cost, Supplies, Food, and More!

Arabian horse prices in 2023 aren’t cheap. While you can buy certain horse breeds with only a few thousand dollars in cash, you won’t find an Arabian horse for sale at that price — the average price of an Arabian horse is between $5,000-$30,000. So why are Arabian horses so sought after?

Arabian horses have been around for over 2,000 years and are considered one of the oldest horse breeds in the world, alongside Przewalski’s, Mongolian, and Akhal-Teke horses. Arabian horses are the cornerstone of most of the horse breeds we know and love today!

The Arabian horse population and lifespan

You might think Arabian horses are rare, which is why they are so expensive. However, Arabian horses are a common breed that can be found in over 60 countries around the world, including the U.S.

As of 2023, the Arabian horse population is about 1.2 million. Over 400,000 of those Arabian horses are in the U.S.

Like most domesticated horses, Arabian horses’ lifespans are between 25-30 years. However, there are some cases of horses of this breed living well into their early 40s.

Genetics, nutrition, and level of care all play a role in the lifespan of a horse.

What is so special about Arabian horses?

Arabian horses were not only bred to be striking — they can be nearly any color and are known for their distinct dished faces — but they were also bred to be quick on their hooves (physically and mentally). So just how smart are Arabian horses?

Arabian horses are fast learners, agile problem solvers, and have a great memory. This is why they are known to be the most intelligent horse breed. They are also an incredibly versatile breed! You can find them competing in endurance races, dressage events, or carrying a young rider across their first jump.

Even though they can do it all, this breed was originally bred for resilience to hot, dry environments. They had to be able to withstand long treks across the desert and be courageous enough to bring their riders into battle at the end of the journey. This made Arabian horses hardy, loyal, and willing companions.

Today, the beauty, endurance, and spirit of the Arabian horse are unmatched. You can count yourself lucky if you’ve ever ridden or owned an Arabian horse.

Where to find Arabian horses for sale

Whether you have had the chance to experience these beautiful animals before or not, it is easy to find Arabian horses for sale across the U.S. and beyond. Arabian horses are popularly used for a variety of disciplines and riding levels, so they are found widely around the world.

However, where to find Arabian horses for sale depends on what type you’re looking for — Arabian crosses, Half-Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, or registered Arabian horses.

From a reputable association

The Arabian Horse Association has an online marketplace to help you find the Arabian horse of your dreams. If you want a purebred or registered Arabian horse, you need to go through a reputable association to ensure their pedigree is legitimate. You can also find Arabian breeding stallions for stud here!

Through a private owner

If you don’t need (or can’t afford) a purebred Arabian horse, an Arabian cross, or Half-Arabian, or Anglo-Arabian might be for you! Many of these can be found through a private owner locally or online. You will still pay a pretty penny, but this breed’s distinctive look and fiery personality are worth it. Just be sure you get records of the horses’ history since private sellers aren’t always honest.

At an auction

A horse auction is one of the most inexpensive places to find Arabian horses for sale because registered or purebred Arabian horses aren’t sold this way. However, you can find Arabian crosses for sale that share many of the characteristics we know and love about the breed. The problem with this route is that you’re buying these horses without knowing their history, so you never really know what you’re going to get.

Arabian horse prices in 2023: How much does an Arabian horse cost?

As you can see, the price of Arabian horses in 2023 varies depending on who you buy them from and whether they are purebred or registered. But the initial purchase of an Arabian horse isn’t the only cost to consider! You have to think about the ongoing cost of care, feed, supplies, and more.

With that in mind, let’s break down the true price of owning an Arabian horse in 2023.

The purchase price

The average price to purchase an Arabian horse in the USA is between $5,000-$30,000. Meanwhile, the most expensive Arabian horse ever, Pepita, sold for over $1.4 million in 2015. That is a big range, so what affects the price?

You will pay more for an Arabian horse if they are:

• A Purebred Arabian horse
• Registered with the Arabian Horse Association
• Descendants of a Champion Bloodline
• Trained and/or decorated in a specific sport
• Sold through a reputable breeder
• A stallion that can be listed for stud
• A broodmare

The price of housing

Alongside the initial cost of buying an Arabian horse, you have to consider the cost of boarding them.

According to the Arabian Horse Association, it costs between $100-$600 per month to board an Arabian horse. This works out to be $1,200-$7,200 annually.

This is the average price for self-care boarding, where you are responsible for all the day-to-day needs of your Arabian horse. This doesn’t include the additional cost of full-care boarding services such as administering medication, mucking stalls, daily feedings, or blankets as needed.

The price of food

If you board your horse in the stall 24/7, your hay and grain bills go up. You can offset some of the monthly feeding costs by allowing your Arabian horse to free graze on the grass while they’re in the paddock. Just be sure to take preventative measures to avoid the risk of founder if your horse has access to fields of lush grass.

Just because you have grass in your field doesn’t mean you don’t need to pay to maintain it. You can expect to pay about $200 a year to maintain 2 acres of pasture (the minimum required to house a horse).

When it comes to hay, a good rule of thumb is that horses eat about 2% of their body weight in hay per day. The price of hay depends on who you get it from and what type of hay — alfalfa, timothy, orchard, etc.

The last cost to consider when it comes to feeding an Arabian horse is grain. Horses are meant to forage for their food, so grain isn’t a necessary part of their diet. However, it can add beneficial nutrients or much-needed calories to the diet of horses who do need it.

The cost of vet and farrier care

Your vet should do an annual check-up on your Arabian horse at least once a year, twice a year if they’re over 20 years old. However, this doesn’t cover additional costs such as:

• Dewormer, which is $10 4x a year
• Vaccinations, which are $50-$100 1x a year
• Dental floating, which is $50-$100 2x a year

You also have to consider farrier fees. Horses need a visit from the farrier every 6-8 weeks to trim their hooves. A typical trim can cost anywhere from $25-$50 but will run you closer to $80 if your Arabian horse needs horseshoes.

The cost of supplies and equipment

Now that you know the yearly price of owning an Arabian horse, it’s time to learn more about the hidden costs.

Once you own an Arabian horse, you’ll want to ride it. Equipment — like bridles, boots, bits, etc. — can get expensive. You can expect to pay around $3,000 for quality tack and the appropriate clothing you need to ride your Arabian horse.

And we haven’t even gotten into miscellaneous supplies they need such as feed buckets, blankets, brushes, etc.! That can run you a few hundred bucks depending on the brand and quality of the item.

Should I buy an Arabian horse?

When the annual ownership cost of an Arabian horse is around $8,000, you might be asking yourself “Should I buy an Arabian horse?” The answer is yes!

Arabian horses are hot-blooded yet cooperative, athletic, and striking animals. They are one of the most popular horse breeds for a reason! Discover the magic of Arabian horses by finding a reputable breeder near you.