How Much Do Arabian Horses Cost?

Arabian horses, not surprisingly, come from Arabia, where they were bred by Bedouins to serve as war horses (and, as needed, getaway horses).

Over the centuries, Arabian horses were housed with their owners – often even sharing their tents! In this way, these animals are known to become particularly bonded with their owners even today.

In this article, learn about the Arabian horse price, including one-time and ongoing care and maintenance costs associated with keeping an Arabian.

Arabian Horse Purchase Price

The most expensive Arabian horse on the planet, a stallion named Marwan Al Shaqab, is so valuable the owner turned down a bid of $20 million to purchase the championship horse.

The price varies wildly depending on any number of factors. Current listed prices via the Arabian Horse Association span the gamut from $500 to $155,000.

A more common price range is $5,000 to $85,000. However, the majority of Arabian horses will cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.

Factors Affecting Arabian Horse Purchase Price

These are the major factors that can affect the Arabian horse purchase price you pay.

• Conformation (appearance)

The Arabian horse stands 14.2 to 15 hands high with black skin and coat colors of chestnut, black, gray, and bay. White markings may appear on face and legs.

The tail is high-set and full, as is the mane. Horses that meet these breed criteria can command higher prices.

• Lineage

Today, there are different strains of purebred Arabian horses. Of these, the purebred Desert variety is thought to be the rarest; with less than 8 percent of an estimated 400,000 living breed tracing their lineage to this line.

The Desert Arabian is the original Bedouin Desert Arabian. These horses are extremely rare and may command higher prices than other lines.

Other distinct lineages exist and pedigrees can be complex. The World Arabian Horse Organization (WAHO) is responsible for categorizing and cataloging Arabians from various lineages and may be helpful if you have pricing questions about an individual horse.

• Color

While all Arabian horses are visually striking, the black Arabian is particularly prized.

• Full or half

Today, both full Arabian and half-Arabian horses are popular. The half-Arabian is a breed cross between a full Arabian and another purebred horse.

These horses are governed by two separate registries. The Full Arabian horses register with the Arabian Horse Registry while the Half-Arabians register with the International Arabian Horse Association.

Pricing may be higher or lower in either case, as the half-Arabian allows owners to essentially “create their own” custom horse. However, in the majority of cases you will pay more for a full purebred Arabian.

Current listings through the Arabian Horse Association show prices for half-Arabians range from $500 to $75,000 versus current prices for full Arabians ranging from $500 to $155,000.

• Option to lease or part-own

It is not uncommon to find opportunities to lease Arabians for temporary use or as part of a lease-to-own agreement.  This can help ease up-front costs of purchasing an Arabian outright.

Many Arabian horses also have more than one owner. This is especially true for pedigreed, confirmed or suspected show champion bloodlines. Buying into a partnership or LLC can spread out the up-front costs over a longer-term investment in an Arabian horse.

One-time Arabian Horse Costs

These are the most commonly reported one-time costs of owning an Arabian horse:

• Saddle

The Arabian horse has a different body structure than most other equine breeds. For starters, this horse has a shorter body because it only has 17 ribs (most breeds have 18). This horse breed also has a shorter neck with just five lumbar vertebrae rather than the usual six.

This means the Arabian saddle needs to be cut and fitted to conform to this horse’s unique shape. Expect saddle prices to range from $850 to $1,100 and up.

• Bridle, tack, saddle pad, blanket

Along with a saddle you will need accessories (tack). Expect to spend around $30 for a basic set.

Your horse will also appreciate a saddle pad (around $100) to avoid chafing and a warm blanket for chilly nights.

Ongoing Arabian Horse Costs

The Arabian Jockey Club estimates that monthly expenses to keep an Arabian horse range from $825 to $2,545 depending on where your horse is housed.

These are the most commonly reported ongoing costs by category to care for an Arabian horse:

• Horse insurance

The higher your Arabian horse is valued the more important horse insurance becomes. Horse insurance typically extends beyond simple reimbursement for veterinary claims and covers everything from infertility to mortality, theft, to accidents. Policies can be customized to your needs and concerns.

Typically, premiums are based on a percentage of your horse’s market value. In most cases, your premiums may range from $150 to $250 with deductibles starting around $250 and up.

• Hauler truck and horse trailer

This is one expense first-time horse owners often forget all about. Whether you want to transport your horse to and from shows or you just need emergency transportation, expect a truck capable of hauling a horse trailer to cost between $15,000 and  $35,000 depending on if it is new or used.

A trailer to haul a single horse can cost between $5,000 and $20,000 depending on whether you find one used or new.

• Food and supplements

The cost range for feeding your horse depends on what and how much your Arabian eats. For hay and enriched grain feed, costs can range from $250 to over $4,000 per year.

All together, hay, salt and vitamin supplements (as recommended by your equine veterinarian) typically cost $60 to $100 per month per horse.

• Pasture and stable

If you are able, housing your Arabian on your own property can save you boarding costs. However, providing housing for your horse on your property brings other expenses.

Building a barn sized for 1 to 2 horses plus a hay storage area costs $4,000 to $12,000.

A single horse weighing 1,000 pounds can produce 2.4 gallons of urine and 31 pounds of poop every single day. Stall mucking (if you choose not to do this chore yourself) will cost $50 per job. Plus it will cost around $380 to rent a 10-yard dumpster and around $3,000 per year to have the manure hauled away.

Fencing can cost around $2,000 and up. Bedding costs around $6 and up for 40-pound bags.

You will also need some basic barn equipment. A water trough will cost $50 to $260 depending on the size you choose. A wheelbarrow can cost anywhere from $50 to $360. A long water hose will cost anywhere from $60 to $80.

• Boarding

Monthly boarding costs range from $100 to $600 depending on the menu of services you choose.

• Horse sitting

If your horse is stabled on your own land but you need to be away, you may need to hire a horse sitter to care for your horse while you are gone. The price typically varies depending on the number of horses and the workload. Costs range from $20 to $100 per day.

• Farrier

Your costs for hoof care will depend on whether you choose to shoe your Arabian or not (not every owner does this). Shoes cost around $80 per shoeing. Owners estimate that hoof trims costs around $25 per trim.
Annually, expect costs ranging from $120 to $1,000 (the high cost is if your horse needs corrective special shoes or hoof care).

• Grooming

Grooming ensures your Arabian horse’s mane, tail and coat, and skin stay healthy. You may only need maintenance grooming or you may want special grooming for shows or competitions.

Basic maintenance grooming services (bathing, clipping and brushing) can range from $10 to $125. Grooming to prepare for shows can range from $30 to $135.

• Training

Your training expenses can vary a great deal depending on your aspirations for your Arabian horse. For racing, training can cost anywhere from $25 to $45 per day when conducted at your site. At the track, prices increase from $45 to $60 per day.

Basic riding training courses typically cost $192 to $250 according to a survey of horse owners.

• Show registration and fees

If you are planning to show your Arabian or compete, you will likely need to register and also pay entry fees. Annual adult registration in the Arabian Horse Association is $50 per year or $1,500 for a lifetime membership.

For year membership holders, cost for a competition card is $35.

• Dental care

Dental care is important for your Arabian’s health. A tooth floating (filing) costs $50 to $100 and a basic cleaning can cost around the same.

• Veterinary

Basic maintenance veterinary care, including vaccinations and de-worming as needed, ranges in annual costs from $250 to $350. Individually, administering required annual and semi-annual vaccines can cost around $50 to $100 per year.

De-worming typically costs around $10 per treatment.

The Coggins test, which is usually required before travel, costs around $20 to $100 per test. A certificate of good health costs $38 per horse.

Colic, a common health issue with Arabians, costs $500 to $1,000 to treat.