- An Olympic horse costs anywhere between $102,000-$142,000. (Source)
- That includes the horse itself, costing around $60,000 to $100,000, and the uniforms such as shadbelly coat, britches, gloves, silk tie, custom boots, and more.
- However, this figure could potentially be higher since some horse breeders have been known to sell their animals for six figures.
- The high price of an Olympic horse is due, in part, to the rigorous training and preparation that is required for them to compete at the international level.
- In addition, you have not included anything for the horse, such as a saddle.
- A top-of-the-line saddle can cost around $1,000.
- Add in other expenses, such as transport, feed, hay, and veterinarian bills, and the total cost of owning an Olympic horse, which can easily exceed $10,000 per year.
What Is An Olympic Horse?
An Olympic horse is one that competes in equestrian disciplines at the Olympics, including in Dressage and Eventing, as well as Jumping.
Individual and team medals can be awarded in each discipline. Both men and women can compete on equal terms.
Equestrian disciplines, Modern Pentathlon’s equestrian component, and Modern Pentathlon’s equestrian portion are the only Olympic events to involve animals (Source).
Common Cost Factors
One of the many things that go into the high cost of the Olympic games is the price of the horses. An elite horse can cost up to $100,000. This significant expense is partly because only a few hundred horses in the world are qualified to compete at such a high level.
The rigorous qualifying process means that not just any horse can make it to the Olympics. To be considered for the competition, a horse must have a wealth of experience and handle a variety of different terrains and conditions. They also need to be in excellent health and pass several rigorous physical exams.
1) The horse’s pedigree
The horse’s bloodline is a significant factor in its cost. Bloodlines are considered an investment, and should the horse win at the Olympics; its value may rise. To breed a champion racehorse, one must have a champion racehorse for a parent. A horse that has achieved notability in any sport is very rare. This rarity means that many people will seek out these horses to breed them with other famous horses.
2) The horse’s age
Racehorses peak between ages 5 and 7 before beginning a decline in their speed around age 12. Ponies peak at 4-6 years old due to smaller bodies, but their agility quickly declines after about 8 years old. Event horses peak at the age of 12, but their value remains high for up to 30 years.
3) The horse’s reputation
A horse’s price can also be based on its reputation. If a horse has a record of winning many competitions, it will be worth more than one that has not had as much success. Horses that have competed in the Olympics before are typically more expensive than first-time competitors.
4) The horse’s color
Paints, palominos, and other striking colors are highly valued in Western riders due to their vivid beauty. These breeds often have much higher than typical breeds. Unusual colors also often have a higher value in the show ring.
5) How many times has the horse been purchased?
The more successful a horse has been, the higher its price will be. When selling a prized possession, people will often charge what they feel it is worth rather than what it originally cost them.
This lowers their chances of selling and raises their chances of losing money in sales. A horse that has been sold multiple times commands a higher price than one that has only been sold once.
6) Is the horse a stallion or gelding?
Geldings are usually much cheaper than stallions for several reasons: size, temperament, and stud fee. A gelding maybe half as expensive as his male counterparts.
7 ) Did they breed or own the horse previously?
One of the main reasons why the price of an Olympic horse is so high is due to the prestige of owning one. If they have bred, owned, or trained an Olympic horse before, then it can be known that they are skilled in that area and worthy of following their path.
8) What is their state of health?
The Olympics require extensive training and conditioning, which means that the horses must be in tip-top shape. A vet check is mandatory before purchase and will cost about $75-$250.
Some breeders offer free pre-purchase veterinary exams when selling a horse, but this differs by a breeder. Any irregularity during an inspection will require another vet check, resulting in costly extra fees for the purchaser.
9) Has it ever competed in an international contest before?
Additionally, the horse’s level of difficulty in previous contests also determines its price. The more prestigious the event, the higher the quality expected from both horse and rider.
That means that a horse with less experience may cost more than another who has proven themselves at an elite level. This is only true if they have never competed internationally because once a horse wins an international event, their fee goes up significantly.
The exception to this rule is if the horse is being sold as a “project,” meaning it has potential but has not yet achieved any great accolades. In this case, the price will be much lower than a horse already a proven winner.
In Summary
The cost of an Olympic-level horse can range anywhere from $5,000 to over $1,000,000. But with all the add-ons, the average price falls around $102,000-$142,000. Much pricier than what it costs to buy a gecko from Petco or the price to sedate a dog for nail trimming!
Many factors go into determining the final price, such as the bloodlines of the animal, its age, the performer’s reputation, and even the horse’s color. Purchasing an event horse is a significant investment, and one should do their research before making such a purchase.
As with anything else, an educated consumer is a wise consumer.
Hi, my name’s David. I started this pricing blog as a side project to help people figure out the best prices on common services. Whether you’re trying to figure out how much it costs to get scanning done at Staples or the expense to bleach short hair, more than likely I’ve blogged about it. Shoot me an email if you have any questions: david@mightyprice.com.
