How Much Does a Morgan Horse Cost?

The average price of a Morgan horse is anywhere between $750 and $4000. Yes, the margin is huge which means that you can get this beauty in a wide range of budgets depending on how much you can pay.

The price of a Morgan horse, or any other horse for that matter, depends on several factors. On top of that, what’s more, is that we tend to forget to calculate the cost that we will have to bear after the purchase. So, to figure out the actual cost of a Morgan horse, you have to consider more than just the price tag. 

Today, you’ll find out all about the true price of owning a Morgan horse!

How Much Does a Morgan Horse Cost?

Morgan horses are among some expensive horse breeds. But, at the same time, it isn’t an unachievable horse.

The average price of a Morgan horse is roughly between $750 to $4000. This price difference mainly depends on two things; the age of the horse and whether or not the horse is registered.

If your budget is tight, you can easily go for a weanling. A Morgan horse under one year of age is no more than $1500 at maximum. In fact, you can usually find a good horse for half the price simply based on the young age. 

A horse between 1 and 2 years of age is available on average for $2000. This is also a suitable option for people with a mediocre budget. Spend time and years with the horse, train it well, and build on your investment. 

The most expensive Morgan horse for sale is a registered mare. This type of horse is always over $2000 and can go up to $4000 easily. Some extraordinary Morgan horses are also priced at $5000.

Factors that Affect the Price of a Morgan Horse

A Morgan horse is priced according to its qualities. Everything from its color to height to temperament plays a part in determining the final horse cost. On top of that, the location where the horse is born and trained also affects the Morgan horse price. 

Male horses are more expensive than female ones. Similarly, registered mares are among the most highly-priced Morgan horses. It is understood that a well-trained, good-looking horse will be priced higher than a weanling who will unwind its beauty and smartness over a few years. 

The most important factor that you should consider when paying for a Morgan horse is its level of training. There are five levels of training and every horse is priced accordingly.

  1. Unbroken: the first level of training is unbroken. A horse at this stage has not been trained at all. It won’t even know how to respond to the most basic commands. An unbroken horse is the cheapest in terms of price.
  2. Green: a horse at this level of training knows some basics but nothing more. It will walk and trot but don’t expect anything exciting. 
  3. Well-trained: a well-trained horse has been taught everything a rookie horse owner can. These horses are disciplined enough for a regular horse owner. 
  4. Professionally trained: if you’re looking for a horse who has some tricks up its sleeves, you’ll have to spend a lot of extra dollars to get a professionally trained Morgan horse. These horses have learned everything under professional supervision. 
  5. Show experience: a horse at this stage is trained to take part in horse shows. This is the most expensive category which is usually unsuitable for a regular horse owner.

Maintenance Cost of Morgan Horse 

The average price of a Morgan horse is more than just what you pay to bring the horse home. Many more expenses are waiting in line once you become a Morgan horse owner.

Diet 

A Morgan horse’s size is pretty average. These horses can weigh 900 to 1000 pounds as adults so their dietary requirements are coherent to that. They don’t have any fancy requirements. Grass, hay, and grains keep them satisfied. Moreover, these horses are prone to obesity so their diet has to be monitored.

Depending on the size of your Morgan horse and the price of hay in your area, you’ll have to spend around $100 to $250 per month. 

Other than the food, water is a necessity that you shouldn’t ignore. 6 gallons in winters and 20 gallons in the summers is important. Clean water will not cost you a lot but do keep a budget of roughly $5 per month.

Health

You also need to calculate the cost of dealing with health concerns in your Morgan horse’s price. This breed is generally a very healthy one with minimal health concerns. However, you cannot avoid vet visits, because things like vaccinations are mandatory. 

The exact cost depends on how expensive the vet in your area is. But, on average, you shouldn’t have to spend more than $250 per month. For most months, this price is under $100 but keep enough backup to deal with unexpected health emergencies.

Ideal Living Environment

A Morgan horse’s personality is very calm and friendly. But, they need to live in a comfortable space to be on their best behavior. It will cost you approximately $400 to $500 per month to rent a decent living space with all facilities provided. 

If you plan to build a barn yourself, you will have to calculate how much the maintenance of pastures, trails, cleaning, etc.

Training and Grooming Maintenance 

Horse training cost depends entirely on your personal preference and budget. The level of training your horse needs decides the price you’ll have to pay. Usually, a professional trainer charges $50 per class. So, if you want to train your horse for a show, you’ll have to spend thousands of dollars. 

For mediocre level training, you can opt for a cheaper training school. The budget for training can start from $500 and go as high as you can afford. 

To keep your horse looking good, you have to groom it regularly. Shampoo and brush are the two things you cannot skip. Teeth cleaners, horse stall mats, and similar additional items are necessary grooming tools, but you can decide whether you need them or not. Overall, the grooming cost doesn’t exceed $50 to $100 per month.

FAQs

Here are some common queries answered to give you some information about the Morgan horse breed to help clear your mind about the breed.

Are Morgan horses good for beginners?

Morgan horses are an excellent breed for beginner-level horse owners. Their sweet nature paired with their will to please people makes up for a great animal partner. Beginners will find these horses easy to train because of the horses’ ability to understand commands obediently. 
Other than that, this horse breed works well in both extremes; it can be a tough racehorse but can also tone down its tough nature for a soft beginner.

Are Morgan horses rare?

Morgan horses are not rare. There are over 175,000 Morgan horses worldwide. In the USA alone, there are 90,000 living Morgan horses registered under the American Morgan Horse Associations (AMHA). There are 7000 active members in the AMHA as of now, alongside 20 youth clubs and 50 recognized clubs.

What is the average height of a Morgan horse?

The average height of a Morgan horse is between 14.1 to 15.2 hands. This equals 57 to 61 inches or 145 to 155 centimeters. Morgan horses stand tall. Their height is perfectly balanced in ratio with their weight which gives them a balanced and attractive look overall.
If you compare this breed with other similar breeds, Morgan horses aren’t the tallest. In fact, they seem shorter in comparison to other similar horses. However, the posture, long neck, and other beautiful features make up for this lack.

Are Morgan horses good?

If sweet, friendly, and easy to train are the qualities that make a good horse, then Morgan horses are definitely on the top of good horse breeds. They are gentle horses who will quickly learn what you teach them. Even if you’re not good at communicating with animals and have a tough time training them, Morgan horses will be easy to deal with. 
Whether you’re a beginner learning to ride a horse or an advanced rider looking for a good ride, Morgan Horse will fulfill all your requirements. Easy maintenance is another plus point.

What is the best age of the horse to buy them at?

The ideal age of a horse you’re planning to buy depends on your expertise and usage. However, the best age is 10 years to 20 years. 
A young horse is great for experienced horse owners who want to train the horse their way. People who do not have the temperament to go through the training process should go for an older horse. Since horses can live for up to 30 years with good care, you shouldn’t worry about getting an older, well-trained horse.

How long should you ride before buying a horse?

It doesn’t matter how long you have been riding. If you’ve gotten comfortable riding a horse, you’re prepared to buy a horse. It is safer to lease a horse for 6 months before you finalize the purchase. This way you can first guarantee that you’re ready for the responsibility without sealing the deal.

How much can a Morgan horse carry?

To figure out how much any horse can carry, go for the 20% rule. It is basically a mathematical calculation that 20% of whatever the horse weighs is the safe carrying limit for that particular horse. The same rule should be applied to your Morgan horse.

Do horses sleep standing up?

Horses can sleep anywhere at any time! They can even sleep standing up. However, since they weigh over 500kg approximately, their legs need to rest. A horse needs to lay down to rest every day. 

Conclusion 

By now, you’re well aware of the true cost of a Morgan horse. You know of the range in which you can get your hands on the horse along with all the expenses you’ll have to bear in time after the purchase. You’re ready, now more than ever, to become a Morgan horse owner. So, without giving it a second thought, go ahead and get that Morgan horse for yourself!