Buying a horse in South Africa can be anything from a few thousand rand to several hundred thousand. The difficult part isn't necessarily finding a horse within your budget — it's knowing whether the asking price makes sense.
A horse's breed, age, training, competition record and temperament can all affect its value. But two horses that look similar in an advert can have very different prices, and a higher price doesn't always mean you're getting a better horse.
So, what should you actually expect to pay?
How much does a horse cost in South Africa?
There is no standard price for a horse, but the market broadly looks something like this:
| Type of horse | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Companion or older horse | R5,000–R20,000 |
| Basic riding horse | R15,000–R40,000 |
| Well-trained leisure horse | R30,000–R80,000 |
| Competitive / well-bred horse | R60,000–R150,000+ |
| Proven competition horse | R100,000–R300,000+ |
| High-level sport horse | R300,000+ |
These are broad guidelines rather than fixed market prices. Horses can sell for considerably less or more depending on their individual circumstances.
The most important question is not simply "How much does this breed cost?" but what can this particular horse actually do?
What determines a horse's price?
Age
Age has a major influence on price, but younger isn't necessarily better.
A young, untrained horse may be cheaper than an older, experienced horse because you're paying for potential rather than proven ability.
An experienced 12-year-old horse that is safe, well trained and suitable for its intended rider can be worth considerably more than a three-year-old that still needs years of training.
Very old horses may be cheaper, particularly if they are being sold as companion animals or light riding horses.
Training
Training is one of the biggest things you are paying for when buying a horse.
A horse that is already:
- Comfortable being ridden
- Well behaved on the ground
- Easy to catch and handle
- Good in traffic
- Experienced at shows
- Suitable for hacking
- Correctly schooled
can command a much higher price than an inexperienced horse.
This is particularly important for a first-time owner. Buying a cheaper horse that needs substantial training may not actually save money once you add professional schooling and the time involved.
Breed and bloodlines
Some breeds and bloodlines attract higher prices than others.
Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Arabians, Boerperde, Saddlebreds and other breeds can all have very different price ranges. Within a breed, pedigree can also make a substantial difference.
However, papers alone don't make a horse worth more to every buyer.
If you're looking for a quiet hacking horse, paying a premium for exceptional competition bloodlines may not make much sense. If you're buying a horse for breeding or high-level sport, pedigree could be much more important.
Competition record
A horse with a proven competition record can be worth significantly more than an otherwise similar horse with no competition experience.
A horse that has consistently performed well at the level you want to compete at has something that cannot simply be bought with training: a track record.
This is one reason prices can become very high for successful showjumpers, dressage horses and other competition horses.
Temperament
Temperament is sometimes overlooked when people compare prices, but it can be one of the most valuable qualities in a horse.
A sensible, reliable horse that is suitable for a novice rider may be worth more to the right buyer than a talented but difficult horse.
There is nothing wrong with paying more for a horse that is genuinely safe, experienced and suited to your ability.
Don't buy based on breed alone
It is tempting to search for a particular breed and assume that you know what the horse should cost.
The problem is that breed is only one part of the equation.
For example, two Thoroughbreds could have completely different values. One might be an experienced riding horse with years of schooling, while the other might be an off-the-track horse that has barely started its retraining.
The same applies to Warmbloods, Arabians and other popular breeds.
Buy the horse, not just the breed.
Cheap horses aren't always cheap
A horse advertised for R10,000 can look like a bargain next to one advertised for R50,000.
But ask yourself why the cheaper horse is so inexpensive.
It might be an older horse, which is perfectly reasonable. It could also need significant training, have behavioural problems, require specialised veterinary care or simply be unsuitable for what you want to do.
You should also factor in the costs immediately after purchase.
A new horse may need:
- A veterinary examination
- Transport
- Farrier work
- Dental work
- Vaccinations
- Tack
- Training
- Feed changes
A horse that costs R15,000 can quickly become a R25,000 or R30,000 project.
Be careful with horses that seem too cheap
A low price isn't automatically a warning sign, but it should make you ask questions.
Be particularly cautious if the seller is unwilling to let you see the horse ridden, refuses a veterinary examination, gives vague answers about its history or pressures you to pay immediately.
Ask to see the horse doing the things you intend to do with it.
If you want a quiet hacking horse, don't be satisfied with seeing it standing quietly in a stable. Ride it. If possible, see someone else ride it first.
If you are buying a competition horse, ask to see competition results and videos rather than relying entirely on the seller's description.
Always budget for a pre-purchase examination
A pre-purchase veterinary examination is one of the best investments you can make before buying a horse.
The vet can assess the horse's general health and soundness and identify potential problems that may not be obvious to you.
The extent of the examination can vary. For an expensive competition horse, you may want a more comprehensive examination, potentially including X-rays or other diagnostic imaging.
It might feel frustrating to spend money on a horse you haven't bought yet, but discovering a problem before handing over a large amount of money is considerably better than discovering it afterwards.
What should you pay for a first horse?
If you're buying your first horse, don't necessarily look for the cheapest horse you can find.
Instead, prioritise suitability.
A well-trained, experienced horse with a good temperament is often worth paying more for, particularly if you're a novice rider. A horse that teaches you and gives you confidence can be far more valuable than a young horse that requires extensive training.
For many recreational riders, a sensible budget of around R20,000–R60,000 can provide a reasonable starting point, although suitable horses can certainly be found outside this range.
If your budget is limited, it may be better to spend a little more on the right horse and save money elsewhere, such as buying second-hand tack.
Don't forget the ongoing costs
The purchase price is only the beginning.
Before deciding what you can afford, work out the ongoing cost of keeping the horse. Livery, feed, farrier work, veterinary care, dental work, insurance, transport and equipment can add up to considerably more than the original purchase price over several years.
For example, a horse costing R40,000 to buy might easily cost another R60,000–R100,000 or more per year to keep, depending on where it is housed and how it is used.
See our guide to How Much Does It Cost to Own a Horse in South Africa? for a breakdown of the ongoing expenses.
So, what is a horse really worth?
Ultimately, there isn't a price list that can tell you exactly what a horse is worth.
A R100,000 horse could be excellent value if it is exactly what you need. A R20,000 horse could be expensive if it turns out to be unsuitable or requires thousands of rand in training and veterinary treatment.
When comparing horses, look beyond the asking price. Consider the horse's age, training, temperament, health, experience and suitability for what you actually want to do.
And remember: the best horse isn't necessarily the cheapest horse you can buy. It's the one that you can afford to keep and that does the job you need it to do.
