The Most Expensive Horse Breed to Own
How much does a Friesian horse cost? Horse prices differ due to their various physical characteristics, including health. Friesian horses are not as expensive as thoroughbreds since this breed is the most costly to own. Despite the Friesan not being the most expensive, this breed has its fan facts and uniqueness.
How Much Does a Friesian Horse Cost?
Friesian horse cost ranges from $19,900 to $47,900. On other occasions, this price may increase, especially if the Friesian horse is FHANA certified. Despite some Friesian horses being younger than others, their price never reduces. In most cases, the prices of these horse breeds maintain an optimum point on a graph.
Several factors may determine the Friesian horse cost. Below are the main factors to look out for:
- Breed registration
- Special designation
- Type of Friesian
- Temperament
- Breed rarity
- Color
- Gender
- Training
- Size
- Age
Breed Registration
Being among expensive horse breeds, many Friesian horses are in the Friesian Horse Association of North America (FHANA). Other Friesian horses are under the Netherlands Friesch Paarden Stamboek (FPS).
These two organizations for Friesian horses have stringent standards. These standards may add value to Friesian horses and thus increase their price value.
Special Designation
Special Friesian horses with the studbook designation may cost more than the normal ones.
Type of Friesian
The Friesian purebred horses are usually under two main types. These types include baroque and sports variations. The baroque horses are closer to the original Friesian horses. The baroque horses have a muscular build, a thicker appearance, and shorter legs.
The brief body variation has short little legs, unlike the sport one, which has longer legs with stronger bones. The sport variation horses are also taller due to being more athletic. Despite these athletic features, the Friesian horse for sports is mostly for leisure riding.
Many Friesian horse breeders have started bringing out a new Friesian breed known as the modern Friesian. This new breed is lighter and faster than the previous variations. This variation also makes them expensive horse breeds due to the significant improvement in features and performance.
This variation’s price is also high because most participate in substantial racing competitions, making them super popular.
Temperament
There are three main primary designations for horse breeds relating to their natural character. These designations include warm-blooded, cold-blooded, and hot-blooded. Just like most other horse breeds, cold-blooded horses have a very calm personality in nature.
Warm-blooded horses, like Friesians, combine hot and cold blood. The combination of hot and cold blood increases their athletic temperament, costing them more than the other single variation.
Breed Rarity
Unlike other ordinary horse breeds, the Friesian horse cost is high since the Friesian breed falls among the rarest species worldwide. The rareness of this horse breed makes it so desirable to many people. In several countries across the world, there are only 37,000 Friesian horses. The USA falls among the countries with the most Friesian horses, carrying around 8,000.
Before buying a Friesian horse, it may be essential to check the documents and ensure that the breed is genuinely Friesian. On a few occasions, cases of fake Friesian horse breeds usually arise. To be safe, you may carry along a horse expert to ensure that the horse you buy is genuinely Friesian.
Color
In most cases, potential buyers usually look for the best colors when searching for a horse. Because of this reason, colors may also influence the price of a horse. Purebred Friesian horses have a range of several colors. Some Friesian horses may be purely black, while others may have patches on their heads, creating a blend.
A few heritage horses of the Friesian breed have poses of chestnut, red, and other coat colors. The rare, unique Friesian coat colors give them a common name, fire Friesians.
Some of the fire Friesian horses have a little hybrid percentage. This little mixed percentage disqualifies these horses from the official breed studbook. Because of this reason, fried Friesians tend to be cheaper.
Gender
This factor also plays a massive role in determining the most expensive horse breed.
Stallions are more costly than geldings and mares in most cases because they play a vast and unique position in the breeding process.
Training
Some Friesian horses have gone through more extensive training than others. A Friesian horse that has gone through more training costs more than the one with little or no training.
Size
Despite gender, horses that meet FPS standards usually cost more than the others that don’t meet. When it comes to the FPS standards, the height of a Friesian should be 5 feet (1.6 meters) by the time it reaches its first birthday.
A mare should be around 4 feet (1.5 meters). The ideal size for the breed is 15.25 to 16 hands (1.54 to 1.6 meters). The Friesian horse cost of these breeds is higher than the other variations that are shorter or taller.
Age
An old horse costs less than a younger horse. This age factor cuts the same way across the Friesian breed. Old Friesian horses may be prone to diseases such as aortic artery rupture or other genetic conditions that may be deadly.
If a Friesian horse’s price is lower than usual, you must confirm the age. The low price of a Friesian horse should not trick you into buying an old, sick horse that may lead to losses in the end.
The Origin of the Friesian Horse
The Friesian horse originates from the Netherlands around 150 AD. The initial use of this horse was to help soldiers move around during war and on other occasions. Friesian horses were the foundation of old English black, the ancestor of the felly pony and the shire horse.
By the 17th century, Friesian horses were among the leading Spanish breeds in various academies for horse riding. The demand for Friesian horses was very high at this time.
By the 18th and 19th centuries in the Friesland province, a restriction on Friesian horses came because the horse was mainly for pleasure purposes, primarily in trotting races. The Friesian horse became so famous after this restriction since it started getting used in breeding the American trotting horse and the Russian Orlov.
By 1913 the Friesian horses had to get back into the farm and compete with the Bovenlanders since there was no other choice. By such a time, luxury was not affordable, and the heavy farm works led to Friesian horses of heavier and smaller sizes.
Around the 1960s, French horses had a worse crisis than in 1913. There was the abolition of all horses working on farms since mechanization came. This case brought back Friesian horses for leisure activities, which have lasted for many years.
Appearance and Nature
In terms of natural appearance and nature, the Friesian horse is a beautiful, noble breed and has been this way for several centuries. You may recognize this breed because of its jet black and long thick mane and tail. The Friesian horse breed is well known for its athleticism, intelligence, and grace.
Despite having quite a fierce appearance, the Friesian horse also proves to have many other traits. These horses are very docile and gentle, making them the best option for activities such as trail riding. Being gentle, these horses are super easy to train, making them grasp a lot in just a short time.
To this date, Friesian horses are still revered for their natural beauty and grace. These reasons make them the best option for choosing ceremonial carriage horses due to their beauty and versatility. The dramatic appearance of these horses makes them suitable for ceremonies and scenarios such as television shows and other live entertainment events.
The Friesian Horse Breed Info Chart
| Features | Friesan Horse |
| Family | Equidae |
| Species | Equus caballus |
| Height | Mares’ and geldings’ standard size is 60 inches (1.5 meters) Stallions’ size is at least 63 inches (1.6 meters) Adult falls around 63 to 64 inches (1.6 to 1.62 meters |
| Weight | 1,300 to 1,450 pounds (590 to 658 kilograms) |
| Body type | Muscular and sturdy build with a long thick mane and tail together with an arched neck |
| Lifespan | Sixteen years |
| Color | Black |
| Care | Advanced level |
| Diet | Grass, Timothy hay, and other supplements |
| Stall set up | Large bedding at 1 acre (0.4 hectares) of pure pasture |
| Minimal stall dimensions | 24 by 24 feet (7.3 by 7.3 meters) |
| Compatibility | Average |
| Temperament | Eager, playful, loving, and mischievous |
Friesian Breed Values Explained
| Horse Type | Average Price |
| 1-year-olds | Up to $15,000 |
| Weanling | $7,000 to $15,000 |
| Untrained colts | $10,000 |
| Fillies and colts | $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Mares with three years of experience | $15,000 to $25,000 |
| Star mares | $25,000 to $40,000 |
| Stallions | $150,000 to $750,000 |
| Preferent mares | $500,000 to $1,000,000 |
| Model mares | $50,000 to $100,000 |
The Two Types of Friesian Horses
There are two main types of Friesian horses to this date. One of them is the sports horse which is relatively modern and athletic. The other Friesian horse type is the baroque, which has a more robust build since it is pretty classical.
A Monthly Friesian Cost Chart
| Services | Price |
| Boarding | Around $150 to $1,250 |
| Training | About $2,000 to $10,000 ($45 to $80 each hour) |
| Electricity | About $100 |
| Feeding | About $60 to $100 |
| Veterinary bills | About $200 to $300 |
| Farrier bi-monthly | Around $100 ($25 to $30 per each visit) |
| Vaccines | May range from $22 to $47 |
| Microchipping | Around $60 |
| Deworming (every three months) | Around $5 to $10 |
| Coggins testing for travel | About $37 to $87 |
| Health certificates | About $40 |
| Grooming | About $10 to $125 |
| Horseshoes | Around $30 to $450 |
| Density costing once in 6 to 12 months | May range from $100 to $250 |
| Horse insurance | Around 2.9% to 4.5% of the total horse value |
| Stud fee for preferent stallions | Around $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Licensing and registration | About $35 |
| Membership in the FHANA | About $60 to $180 per year, together with $20 admission fee |
| Manure removal | Around $3,000 annually for waste disposal company and $200 to $900 annually for dumpster |
FAQs On Friesian Horses
What is a Friesian horse lifespan?
The average lifespan of a Friesian horse is usually 16 years. Other horses may live up to 25 or 30, depending on several living factors and conditions.
How tall is a Friesian horse?
Most Friesian horses are around 60 to 68 inches tall (152 to 172 centimeters). This height may also vary depending on several factors but to qualify for the star designation. A Friesian horse needs to be around 62 inches (157 centimeters).
How much do Friesian horses weigh?
On average, many Friesian horses weigh about 1200 to 1400 pounds (544 to 635 kilograms). Different feeding patterns may also affect this weight.
What is a Friesian horse’s diet?
Friesian horses do not need a diet that is heavy or complicated. These horses are mostly satisfied with a simple but quality diet of fruits, grain, and vegetables.
Final Verdict
Friesian horse cost varies due to several factors, but this breed is fun and easy to maintain. With just superficial knowledge and several tips from this article, you may be sure to enjoy the company of your Friesian horse for as long as it’s alive.
