Are you looking to buy a horse so to enjoy long rides in the countryside or register it for endurance competitions? Opting for an Arabian horse would be your best bet as Arabians are the preferred choice of professional breeders. However, there are other horse breeds that can give the Arabians a run for their money, including the celebrated American Quarter Horse.
The American Quarter Horse, popularly called Quarter Horse, is a North American horse breed that evolved in the 17th century when imported English thoroughbreds were crossed with various native breeds. Presently, the quarter horse happens to be a widely admired and popular breed of horse in the US. The AQHA (American Quarter Horse Association), the world’s largest breed registry organization, reports that there were nearly 3 million registered American Quarter Horses as of 2014.
Synopsis of the American Quarter Horse
The American Quarter Horse excels both as a racing steed and for its brilliant performances in horse shows, endurance meets, and rodeos. No wonder American Quarter Horses are highly prized in the US. The Quarter Horse outclasses all other horse breeds in galloping speed in the first quarter of a mile, hence its name.
Are you wondering how much a Quarter Horse costs? A Quarter Horse costs about $3500, and you may have to spend an estimated $2,500 per year to maintain the animal. On top of that, you’ll have to earmark funds for housing, veterinary care, the right horse feed, riding gear, stall rental, and other related expenses.
Therefore, you may have to set aside a budget amounting to approximately $6,500-$7,000 annually for your quarter horse.
Attributes Influencing the Price of American Quarter Horses
A typical Quarter Horse is quite unlike the regular or standard steed that you see trotting around in ranches and farms across the countryside. American Quarter Horses tend to be exceptionally intelligent and graceful, with an air of humility and modesty that make them irresistibly charming. However, it is not only their elegance and intelligence that make them the most famous horse breed in the US.
The majority of Americans who own Quarter Horses either for breeding purposes or for personal use regard the equines as a robust investment. Most Americans who decide to buy Quarter Horses for commercial use feel confident that they’ll get a handsome ROI. So, it’s hardly surprising that they command such a high price.
There are certain factors that horse breeders take into account while estimating the maintenance cost and selling price of Quarter Horses. These attributes are the equine’s lineage, age, health, level of training, and experience of participating and winning in endurance competitions. Let’s review these factors.
Lineage or bloodline
The bloodline or lineage of the Quarter Horse makes the most conspicuous difference to the animal’s price tag. That said, Quarter Horses that have descended from well-known and illustrious pedigrees or Thoroughbreds will cost more. Pedigreed Quarter Horses tend to be more amenable to rigorous training, which in turn implies that they’re more likely to succeed in professional competitions.
Age
Quarter Horses aged seven to fourteen tend to be expensive as they’re energetic, and therefore able to work hard. However, older horses could be costlier than their younger counterparts as the latter are trained and experienced.
Health condition
Simply put, healthy horses will cost more than those with health issues. You could consider buying a Quarter Horse suffering from a minor health issue, as you’ll have to pay less. You could nurse the horse back to health after taking good care of the animal.
However, you should steer clear of opting for a steed diagnosed with progressive fatal disease or a horse with a grave injury.
Level of training
Well-trained Quarter Horses still in their prime will come at a price. Essentially, the better the training, the pricier the horse.
Participation in endurance meets and events
American Quarter Horses that have participated and won in a variety of rodeos, racing, and endurance events will be pricey. The more wins, the higher the cost.
How much does it cost to maintain an American quarter horse?
Though your Quarter Horse will need less food and water for staying healthy than some other breeds, you’ll still have to offer the animal the top horse feed. The best horse feed includes premium quality nutritional supplements, vitamins, and hay. You’ll also have to spend on maintaining the horse’s hooves and invest in veterinary care, a saddle, brush, bridle, and other riding equipment.
Simply put, you’ll have to spend in the range of $2500-$3,000 for maintaining your horse from year to year.
How much does it cost to house an American Quarter Horse?
Keep aside a minimum of $200 and a maximum of $650-$700 per month for accommodating your quarter horse.
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA)
AQHA or American Quarter Horse Association is a breed registry with its headquarters in Amarillo, Texas. AQHA is a global association devoted to preserving and improving the stock of the American Quarter Horse. The international organization also keeps a regular count of the total number of active Quarter Horses in the US.
At the same time, AQHA arranges and organizes numerous competitive events and meets across the length and breadth of the US.
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