Deciding to get a horse for yourself is the first step in acquiring this lovable animal, who promises to be your lifelong friend. But having a horse, that too, a mustang horse, comes with its own expenses.
You have landed at the correct place to know all about the cost of a mustang horse, other ancillary and miscellaneous costs that need consideration, as we are going to talk about it in detail, in this article.
What Does a Mustang Horse Cost?
How much does a mustang horse cost? is the most often requested question among mustang enthusiasts. If you are wondering the same thing, this article is just for you!
Mustangs are wild or free-roaming horses whose name comes from the Spanish word mustengo, which means “free-roaming horse” or “unclaimed beast.” Mustang horses are small, powerful, and have a reputation for being hard workers. Mustangs evolved from Andalusian as well as other breeds, and are willing to work in rough terrain under hard labor circumstances.
Do you want to know how much a mustang horse costs? The mustang horse price can vary from $125 to $5000. The cost of adopting a mustang from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) starts at $125 for horses that have been trained and $25 for horses who have not. Age, training, and gender can all have an impact on the price.
Since many wild Mustangs are placed available for adoption with little to no training, they can cost anywhere from just a few hundred bucks to a couple of thousand bucks. The BLM has a reward scheme in which anybody who adopts an untrained or put up for adoption Mustang receives a $1,000 reward. For a qualified horse, all that you have to pay is a $25 adoption fee.
Characteristics of Mustang Horses
Before we discuss the other factors to be considered about the cost of a mustang horse, let us first understand the mustangs.
Mustang horses have descended from runaway Spanish domesticated horses transported to the Americas by Spanish explorers during the sixteenth century. The term comes from the Spanish words “mestengo” and “mostrenco,” which indicate “wild or masterless cattle,” respectively.
Mustangs come in a broad range of hues, and their coats display the whole spectrum of colors present in all horses. They’re usually bay, with a reddish-brown tint, or sorrel, with a chestnut hue. Patches, spots, and stripes come in a range of colors and patterns.
According to the gathered statistics, most mustang horses can sprint or gallop at rates of 25 to 30 mph, while one has been documented reaching 55 mph over a short distance.
Cross-bred mustangs are quite variable based on their population, where some might be linked closely to their forefathers originally from Spain compared to others. Kiger mustangs, for example, exist in tiny, secluded bands in Oregon, and their lineage is mostly inherited from early Spanish horses, thus they mingle rarely with other kinds.
Mustang horses are notorious for their wild character, yet they can be controlled and rode in the same way that other horses can. If they are kidnapped from the wild instead of being grown in confinement, this procedure will take longer since they’re not habituated to being treated by people.
According to America’s mustang initiative, there are presently over 70,000 free-ranging mustangs in the United States. According to America’s Mustang program, mustang populations dropped substantially in the twentieth century as the horses were killed and captured for a variety of purposes, including human and dog food.
Factors that Affect the Cost
Besides researching how much a mustang horse costs, there are various other factors that you must consider before making a purchase. A mustang horse’s price is affected by various factors that include medical care, training, maintenance, and etcetera.
Training
Training is amongst the most important factors that might influence a mustang’s pricing. Some mustangs are available for adoption with no previous training, while others are saddle-broken.
Inexperienced horses can sell for as little as a few hundred dollars.
Because they’re not trained, whoever buys them will have to devote a significant amount of time, energy, and money to training. Horses that are broken or have been introduced under saddle will sell for a higher price. People will pay more for a horse that has already been trained.
Bloodlines
Since the majority of mustangs are adopted from the wild, very little is known about their specific bloodlines. Mustangs, on the other hand, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some of which are extremely sought for.
Pryor Mountain Mustangs, Kiger Mustangs, Cerbat Mustangs, Spanish Mustangs, Chincoteague Ponies, and Colonial Spanish Mustangs are the six primary varieties of mustang horses. All of these categories seem to have a unique heritage/bloodline as well as traits that distinguish them. People will frequently pay more for these particular Mustangs because of their appealing characteristics.
Display Records
Mustangs are noted for their strong physiques, stamina, attractiveness, and eagerness to please. Mustangs make excellent show horses in both English and Western competitions because of their characteristics.
In several disciplines, including trail contests, jumping, western enjoyment, and even dressage, they have shown to be show-quality horses. In western dressage, mustangs have already won numerous prizes. A mustang with a strong show record will generally cost between $3,000 and $15,000, with some horses costing much more.
Color
Mustangs are available in a wide range of hues. Pinto, Grulla, cremello, gray, blue roan, strawberry roan, and buckskin are some of the most unusual color combinations. Horses with unique coloring can fetch a higher price in some cases.
Conformity and Age
The price of a mustang horse might be affected by its conformation. The perfect mustang is built to be solid, strong, and medium in size. Horses with good conformation generally sell for higher money.
Age, in addition to the form, will influence the price. Mustangs should be between the ages of 7 and 14. Horses within this age group are in maximal riding and driving condition. Horses in their late teens or early twenties usually sell for a lower price.
Expenses
Aside from the initial investment, there’s a slew of extra costs to consider. According to a poll done by the University of Maine, the average cost of a horse is $3876.
Keeping a horse costs a lot of money. Feeding, living, and medical bills are all part of a horse’s upkeep and maintenance. A horse’s maintenance costs are mentioned in this article.
These are projected expenses that may vary depending on location and circumstances.
Before purchasing a mustang horse, it is critical to evaluate the monthly cost of ownership. Depending on whether your horse resides in a stall or pasture, boarding a horse can cost anywhere from $150 to $1,000 per month.
Food, bedding, and basic care are usually included by the board. Every 6-8 weeks, your horse’s hooves will need to be trimmed by a farrier, which will cost between $45 and $150. Veterinary charges will normally range from $200 to $400 each year, with dental costs ranging from $80-$250 every six months to a year.
1. Feeding Expenses
A horse’s body weight in hay is 1.5 to 2% of its whole body weight. A horse requires 20 pounds of hay each day on average. Daily, the average calculated cost of hay required is around $525. If the horse is grazing on pasture, the expense is reduced.
The feed consists of vital nutritional elements as well as calories. Hay is deficient in these nutrients and calories, thus it is supplemented with Feed. The average yearly feed costs between $350 and $500.
Lastly, supplements including vitamins and minerals are necessary for horse growth, strength, and muscular development. The cost of these multivitamins and minerals is estimated to be roughly $240 per year.
2. Living Expenses
If you can’t keep your horse in the backyard or don’t have any horse-related activities, a stable cost is a way to go. A barn in a stable might cost $400 to $500 per month on average. It might be as much as $1000 in certain stables.
3. Medical Expenses
The medical expenditures include regular vet visits and immunizations.
A horse’s health necessitates a visit to the veterinarian regularly. These annual inspections, which include a thorough examination of the horse for any disease, cost an average of $120 each year.
Vaccinations are required for horses and other pets to avoid sickness. The cost of vaccinations will be around $60 per year.
4. Farrier Cost
The cost of a farrier varies depending on the horse breed. Some horses require shoeing every eight weeks, while others require shoeing every five to six weeks. If the average cost of pruning and resetting is $90 per year, the yearly cost will be around $700.
5. Additional Expenses
Deworming, insurance, dental care, and water are among the other costs. The cost of deworming is $100 per year. It’s tough to put a number on insurance because it fluctuates so much. The cost of dental care will be roughly $250 per year. The cost of water varies based on the source, location, and amount used.
Alternatives to Purchasing a Mustang Horse
For some people, purchasing a horse is not a viable choice, but there are other options. The two primary alternatives to owning your horse are leasing and sharing ownership.
Owners may offer their horses for lease in various instances. This allows you to enjoy partial or full usage of a horse without having to pay as much money as if you owned one. A limited liability corporation (LLC) or partnership is another option for splitting the costs of buying and owning a horse.
FAQs
Mustangs are generally tough, have good feet, and a strong intrinsic ‘Horse Alphabet.’ To put it another way, they are exceptional at being a Horse. In some aspects, the mustangs have been simpler to teach than certain domestic horses.
Moreover, they are less expensive than most of the good breeds out there. Not to mention, it is said that mustangs can be easy to train and are amazing for shows which can get you your money’s worth. Lastly, you have the benefit of adopting an untrained mustang and receiving money for it instead of putting in an initial investment.
Mustangs are easier to maintain and are more cost-effective. They aren’t one of the priciest horse breeds. A mustang horse may be purchased at a low price. Adopting a mustang is simple and inexpensive.
Even money is provided to an adopter who wants to retain the wild horse. Aside from the mustang’s purchase price, the horse’s maintenance costs must be factored into the equation.
If wild horses are not socialized with humans, they can be hazardous. They will see a person as a threat, making them potentially dangerous. A mustang may be trained to be a devoted herd mate who respects and trusts its people with proper training and socialization. Mustangs are trained by several horse trainers that specialize in this breed.
Mustangs that have been born in the wild do not make suitable beginners’ horses since they require rigorous and experienced handling and training. Once they’ve gotten used to working with people, they become friendly and likable companions who can look after themselves.
When compared to other horse breeds, they also exhibit amazing insight and intellect. These characteristics will come in helpful throughout training. The BLM also sells/adopts trained and socialized mustangs.
Mustangs have a wide range of personalities. Mustang breeds like Kigers, for example, have shown to be very devoted and trustworthy friends. Pryor Mountain Mustangs, on the other hand, are more easily startled and prefer to avoid human interaction.
Mustangs are intelligent and fearless horses who, unlike other domesticated horses, rely significantly on instincts to live in the wild. This is why it’s critical to establish trust with them early on– else, working with them will be challenging!
Conclusion
Mustangs are easier to maintain and are more cost-effective. They aren’t one of the priciest horse breeds. But consideration has to be made of the factors other than the purchase cost of the horse, when making the decision to buy one. They are the most intelligent and fearless horses and trustworthy friends.
