How Much Does a Shire Horse Cost? (Purchase and Upkeep)

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The majestic and uncommon shire horse is famous for its strength and height and holds the record as the tallest horse on the planet. Most shire horses are relaxed, obedient, and willing to please despite their intimidating size.

However, it might be wise to estimate costs before going to the nearby stables and looking for a shire horse. If you’ve never owned a horse before, you might want to know how much a shire horse costs.

The good news is that I did all the legwork and compiled the information you need to take into account.

How Much Does it Cost to Maintain a Shire Horse?

1. The Cost of the Shire Horse Itself

Trotting Shire Horse

It would be challenging to locate a Shire horse for sale. Shire horses are difficult to come by due to the breed’s scarcity. The chances of a buyer discovering a shire horse for sale nearby are incredibly slim.

So are shire horses cheap? One might inquire.

The average price of a shire horse ranges from $5,000 to $12,000. However, some of the best stallions and show horses can cost up to $20,000. The cost can be influenced by age, training, show history, and color.

2. The Cost of Grooming 

Frequent brushing and cleaning are essential to avoid skin irritants and infections around the shire’s lower legs.

After a bath, it’s crucial to completely dry the feathering because a moist environment encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi. To keep their horse’s feathers healthy, you should spend money on high-quality shampoo and conditioner.

The cost of hiring a professional can range from $45 a month to more than $2000 per month, depending on the age, height, and weight, as well as the horse’s current well-being, location, and policy type.

3. The Price of the Shire Horse Food

A brown horse with a white spot on the nose

Shire horses consume a typical horse diet that consists of high-quality hay, grain, fruits, and vegetables. So how much does a shire horse eat? They require much more water and food than an average-sized horse to keep their body weight.

The average monthly cost of feed and hay for a 1,100-pound horse ranges from $100 to even more than $250. The type, quantity purchased at the time, and season all affect the price of hay. However, shire horses allowed to graze on vegetation will consume less grass. 

4. Housing and Boarding Cost

If you still need a place at home to keep a horse, you’ll have to hire a field or find a livery yard. Most shire horse owners board their animals at livery yards because they frequently have amenities like tack rooms, schooling arenas, muck heaps, jumps, and more. 

You won’t have to worry about any field upkeep because livery yards will handle it.

Depending on whether your horse resides in a livery yard or a pasture, boarding can cost anywhere between $150 and $1,000 per month.

5. Vet and Dental Services

A brown horse with a white spot on the nose and white legs

Regular examinations, deworming, and vaccinations against equine influenza, rabies, and tetanus are part of a horse’s annual vet care. Each visit will cost you between $45 and $60, and yearly vaccine costs range from $65 to $235.

Additionally, your pet will require routine dental care. Regular tooth filing costs around $50 to $175, but the farm call adds another $45 to $60.

A fecal examination costs $30, and yearly deworming costs between $20 and $50.

When you intend to move your horse across state lines, you must also bill for a Coggins test and a health certificate. Coggins tests cost between $20 and $60. You should typically budget a minimum of $525 per year for a vet.

6. Farrier Services

Since a horse’s foot grows all the time, even if he doesn’t have horseshoes, the horse needs regular farrier visits for trimming or balancing.

A farrier’s services range from $50 to $150 per horse. A complete pair of shoes will cost anywhere from $90 to $150, whereas a trim may cost around $30. Horse owners may spend between $450 and $750 on the average five services they require each year. 

Most farriers charge by the hour for their services, and they should be able to provide a reliable estimate before beginning the job.

7. Horse Training Services

The cost of horse training varies greatly, just like at colleges. 

Prices can be as low as $200 per month or as high as several thousand. Most trainers bill per day, which results in an expensive total.

Smaller tracks may charge as little as $75 per day, which equates to $2,250 per month, while owners of larger ways may pay more than $120 per day or $3,600 per month. 

Some tracks offer all-inclusive pricing, including the tutor’s price, boarding, transportation, and routine maintenance. 

To Finish Up

Owning a shire horse can be expensive, but probably not as expensive as you had anticipated. But shires make wonderful household horses and are suitable for all age groups.

Now that you know how much a shire horse costs, you can get one.

Matthew Flor

Matthew Flor

Hi, y’all! My name is Matthew Flor, and I’m from Ocala, Florida.
I’m a horse enthusiast, and one of my favorite breeds is the Shire horse.
In this blog, I’ll be sharing information about these amazing animals – everything from their history to their unique characteristics.

About Me

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