Okay buckle up folks, today I’m spilling the beans on my crazy journey figuring out how much these glorified lawnmowers – thoroughbred horses – actually cost and how I didn’t totally bankrupt myself trying to get one. This started purely because I got obsessed, seriously.
Where the Madness Began
It all kicked off about three months back. Saw this absolutely stunning chestnut thoroughbred jumping on some Insta reel. Bam! Instant obsession. Started Googling “thoroughbred cost” like a madman. First shock? Seeing numbers like $10,000, $20,000, even $50,000 flashing on my screen. My jaw literally dropped. Went straight to my dusty savings account spreadsheet and just stared. Nope.
Stalking the Local Scene & Online Chaos
Decided “forget online, let’s see real local stuff.” Started hitting up local auctions way out in the countryside. Drove around for hours one Saturday. Saw some horses, got dizzy trying to understand the auctioneer’s speed-talk. Prices flew fast, some young untrained ones going under $5k, some proven ones shooting past $15k real quick. Felt totally out of my depth.
Next, dove into every horse forum and classified site I could find. Scrolled for DAYS. Learned the lingo – “OTTB” (off-track Thoroughbred), “green broke,” “packer.” Realized ex-racehorses (OTTB) were way cheaper upfront than those shiny show horses. Like, sometimes under $3k cheap. Ding ding ding! Interest peaked! But also saw horror stories about temperament and injuries. Scary.
Calling Farms & Facing Reality
Took a deep breath and actually called some breeders listed online. Tried not to sound like a total newbie. One lady was super nice, explained how bloodlines, race records, training level – all that jazz – jacked the price way up. Mentioned “stud fees,” whatever those are. Basic, sound, maybe older trail horses she had? More around $7k-$12k. Still choked on my coffee.
The “Cheap” Route Gamble
Decided the OTTB route was my only shot without winning the lottery. Found this one smaller rehoming place specializing in retraining racehorses. Looked at pictures, read descriptions endlessly. Found this one gelding, 5 years old, just finished basic restart training. Price tag? $2,500. Heart jumped! Went to visit him.
Took my one horse-savvy friend. Horse seemed okay, maybe a bit spooky. Friend watched me ride him in the round pen, just walking mostly. Said “He’s got potential, but he’s green. Gonna need WORK and lessons, for sure.” Seller was honest – young, needs consistent training.
The Not-So-Hidden Money Pit (aka Saving)
Even at $2.5k, the reality check kept hitting. Started writing down EVERYTHING else it would cost:
Vetting: Had the vet come out BEFORE buying for a pre-purchase exam. Cost me $450. Just for the basics! But better to know upfront, right? Saved me from one horse with hidden lameness.
Boarding: No way I had land. Looked at every stable within driving distance. Full-care board? Ranged from $500/month (basic field shelter) to $1,200/month (fancy covered arena, daily stall cleaning). Chose a clean, safe place for $650/month – still a car payment!
Stuff Needed: Didn’t own a single saddle pad! Hit used tack sales online and in-person. Scored a decent used saddle for $700 (felt like a steal!), bridle for $50, basic grooming kit for $60. Bought clean but used blankets and shipping boots cheap.
Lessons & Training: Knew I needed help. Found a no-nonsense trainer. Hour lesson? $60. Paid for two lessons a week for the first month, then scaled back. Still hurts ($480/month at first). Also worked out a partial lease on him to help with board costs – kid pays $200/month to ride him 3 days a week under trainer supervision. Win!
The Vet Bills Keep Coming: Basic shots and dental? $300. Farrier every 6 weeks? $40. Emergency kit? Another $150. Constantly dipping back into that “saved” purchase price.
Did I Actually Save Money?
Adding it up is brutal:
- Horse: $2,500
- Vetting (pre-purchase & first shots/dental): $750
- Basic Tack/Equipment (used): $800-ish
- First Month Board: $650
- First Month Lessons: $480
That’s over $5,000 within the first darn month! Saved on the purchase price by gambling on an OTTB, sure. But saved overall? Not really. Found used gear, yes. Cutting board costs by leasing him out a bit? Crucial. Negotiating a slightly lower lesson rate by committing to multiple? Helped a tiny bit.
Honest truth? Owning any horse is a major, persistent drain on the wallet. That “cheap” upfront cost is just the down payment on a lifetime of bills. My bank account is still crying. But hey, seeing him figure out trail riding… kinda worth it? Ask me again after the next colic scare.
