Owning a horse is an expensive business, but some horses come with higher price tags than others. Certain breeds are prized for their abilities and appearances, making them more desirable. Here are 18 horse breeds that can be sold for incredibly high prices.
Thoroughbred
Horseracing is a lucrative industry, and some of the best racing champions are Thoroughbreds. CNN reports that “Kentucky Derby-winning thoroughbred Fusaichi Pegasus traded hands for a reported $60 million to $70 million.” For both breeding and competing, Thoroughbreds can be sold for astonishing prices.
Arabian
Few horses have such distinctive appearances as the Arabian. Their unique head shape is passed down through bloodlines that come at a premium price tag. This horse breed is highly intelligent and capable of excelling in endurance competitions and other disciplines.
Dutch Warmblood
Dutch Warmbloods are excellent at dressage and show jumping, making them highly sought after by equestrians. Their amazing performances at international competitions can make the prices for these horses soar, and they’re carefully bred to make sure they have good temperaments and abilities.
Selle Francais
Athletic and versatile, Selle Francais horses are selectively bred in France, and they can be incredibly expensive to buy. They do very well in show jumping and other events and can easily get onto the winner’s podium in many competitions.
Hanoverian
Oklahoma State University calls the Hanoverian “one of the most prominent breeds of riding horses in the world.” They’re popular for their excellent performances in dressage, show jumping, and eventing, and the breed benefits from Germany’s rigorous breeding standards. They’re athletic horses with excellent temperaments.
Andalusian
Andalusions are one of the most desirable horse breeds in the world, so it’s no surprise that they command such high prices when sold. They are often seen in classical dressage competitions and are beloved for their beauty, strength, and agility.
Friesian
Historically used as war horses, Friesians are a popular horse breed with a striking appearance. Their silky black coats and flowing manes are in high demand, and limited availability means that prices can skyrocket. You can often find Friesians in dressage and ‘driving’ events, which is where horses pull carriages or wagons.
Akhal-Teke
The Akhal-Teke horse breed is famous for their coat’s shiny, metallic appearance and short manes. They’re one of the oldest and rarest horse breeds, which understandably drives up the cost of purchasing one. They were originally bred in Turkmenistan and have excellent endurance.
American Saddlebred
The price of an American Saddlebred can differ wildly, with them going for anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000 depending on their pedigrees and competition experience. They’re a high-stepping breed and are often lively and energetic, performing well in a variety of disciplines.
Holsteiner
Another German horse breed, Holsteiners have a reputation for excellence and amazing athletic ability. They’re often said to be one of the oldest warm-blood breeds, with their history dating back to the 13th century. Today, they’re incredible at show jumping, dressage, and eventing.
Belgian Draught
Although working horses go for lower prices than race horses, the Guinness World Records claims that the record for the highest price of a draught horse is held by “a 2-year-old Belgian stallion,” which sold for “$112,500.” That’s no surprise since Belgian Draught Horses are powerful and one of the strongest horse breeds in the world.
Trakehner
The Trakehner is yet another excellent horse breed from Germany. It was named after the town of Trakehnen, where it was originally bred. Trakehners frequently excel at international competitions, likely due to their exceptional athleticism and versatility. They can easily be trained for a number of equestrian sports, making them highly adaptable.
Marwari
It’s quite rare to find a Marwari horse outside of India, and its rarity definitely contributes to its high price. However, it’s also prized for its distinctive appearance with its inward-turning ears, endurance, and bravery. Marwari horses were originally used as war horses and also for ceremonial events.
Knabstrupper
Knabstruppers are well-known for their spotted coats and can sometimes be found in circuses due to their interesting appearances. However, they’re quite a rare breed and are good at show jumping and dressage, meaning the price for a Knabstrupper can go up very high.
Morgan
The Morgan horse breed is connected to American history, as it’s one of the earliest American breeds. It can be difficult to find a purebred Morgan since there’s a high demand for them, especially those with experience in competitions, making them quite expensive.
Paso Fino
Paso Finos are horses with smooth, natural gaits, which make them luxurious rides for trail rides and pleasure riding. They can also excel in competitions, and Paso Finos with good pedigrees that have placed highly in the past can go for incredibly high prices.
Irish Sport Horse
It’s understandable that Irish Sport Horses can be sold for large amounts of money since this breed is consistently calm and reliable. Since they’re strong and versatile, they’re often found in hunting and eventing, and Horse & Hound notes that an Irish Sport Horse sold for “a record price in the region of € 12 million.”
Appaloosa
Lastly, we come to the Appaloosa. This recognizable horse breed is known for its spotted coat, but they’re also versatile horses that can perform well in competitions. Appaloosas have gentle temperaments as well and are sought after for both their appearances and abilities.
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