Sherif OSHorses are wondrous creatures and make for even excellent pet animals. Owning one isn’t as costly as most people, or you might think – but before you invest your money into a new companion with four legs, you might want to know the sum to set aside for it. If you are looking to purchase a horse, thoroughbreds are the most common horse breeds in Kenya and one of the most expensive.
Generally, the higher the training a horse gets, the more costly it becomes. Several factors affect and influence a horse’s cost, so carry out your bit of research and choose the best one for you budget-wise. If you are getting a horse for the first time, it is advisable not to buy one at an auction if you are on a budget. It would help if you also kept in mind that regardless of the price, the expense and responsibility remain the same.
Horse Prices In Kenya
Horses in Kenya are pretty affordable, depending on the size and breed. You can buy the small size(Ponies) and the full grown and mature horses. The horse breeds are Dutch Warmblood, Hanoverian, Friesian, and Fusaichi Pegasus. The Fusaichi Pegasus is the most expensive horse breed and sold for millions.
Apart from the cost of buying, you’ll need to spare the cost of rearing the horse too, and it can be relatively expensive irrespective of the size and breed of the horse you buy.
Since the horse type and reason for acquisition vary, the price range is equally as broad. The price can range from hundreds of thousands of Kenyan shillings to millions of Kenyan shillings. One way to increase a horse’s worth is to ensure he is well handled and trained, sound, well behaved, and healthy.
The following are the average starting prices of horses in Kenya :
- Ponies == from KES 250,000
- Average size == from KES 350,000
- Full Mature horse == from KES 500,000
Cost Of Riding On A Horse In Kenya
Horses are lovable because they can carry humans around over long kilometers. They are used for transportation or enjoyment, but certain breeds and varieties are ideal for riding.
In Kenya, some places rent out full-grown horses for people who want to enjoy the thrill of a horse ride. It usually costs an average of KES 5,000 per hour to ride a horse, depending on the place.
Costs After Purchasing A Horse
While there is a price to pay upfront to purchase a horse, several other expenses are associated with having a horse. Some of these expenses include:
- Healthcare: Frequent examination, visits to the vet, and vaccines are all mandatory to keep your horse healthy and in good shape. Like humans, horses get sick and will need adequate treatment should that happen, requiring some amount of money.
- Feed: The cost of salt and minerals, grass and hay, and grain mix. If your horse has access to grazing land, he might not need so much hay, reducing the cost for you.
- Training: If your horse needs to be trained or you need the training to start riding your horse, you might want to consider paid lessons.
- Supplies and equipment: If you need certain riding accessories, you’ll need to pay for them. These can include grooming supplies, stirrup leathers, and a riding saddle. You will need riding pants, boots and a helmet.
Below are some of the top factors that determine the price of a horse:
- Age: A horse’s prime-age is between seven and fourteen years old. Older horses usually worthless, though the cost still depends on the horse’s breeding and condition. Besides, many horses can work hard well in their twenties, so older horses aren’t entirely worthless or useless.
- Breeding: Breed or pedigree plays a considerable role in determining a horse’s worth, especially for breeds like Thoroughbred horses. If your horse belongs to a top stallion breed, he’s probably worth more than his training would contrarily indicate.
- Training: If you want your horse to have a certain degree of training, expect the cost to correspond with the depth or measure of training he has undergone.
- Health conditions: A horse with perfect health usually costs more than another with one or two underlying health issues. However, a horse with minor health defects can still be used for recreational and riding purposes. It would be best if you had a veterinarian examine the horse before finalizing the purchase.