Mustang Horse Prices in 2023: Purchase Cost, Supplies, Food, and More!

So you want to know how much a Mustang horse costs in 2023? It’s important to think about it from every angle — from the initial purchase cost to supplies, equipment, and food.

Read on to learn more about Mustang horse prices in 2023 and the true cost of owning a Mustang horse.

What is a Mustang horse?

“Mustang” is a term used to describe the wild or feral horses that roam across western North America. They weren’t always wild though! Mustangs were originally domesticated horses brought over by the Spanish in the 1500s who escaped and have been roaming wild ever since.

Today, Mustangs are a cross between many different horse breeds, as the original Spanish Mustangs ended up breeding with domesticated horses in the United States.

There are still wild Mustang horses that exist, but since 2000, many of these wild horses have been rounded up and adopted by people like you who want to buy them!

Can you own a Mustang horse?

So can you own a Mustang horse? It is possible to buy a Mustang horse in 2023, but they will likely be “green” — not broke under saddle, untrained.

The good news is that they can be trained to carry a rider, compete at high levels, or be used as companion animals (especially since horses are herd animals).

Are Mustang horses good for beginners?

Mustang horses adopted directly from the wild are not recommended for beginners. They are feral horses who can be dangerous before they are properly trained.

Mustang horses are not good for beginners unless they’re trained by a professional and, even then, caution is highly advised.

Where to buy a Mustang horse

You can find Mustang horses for sale across the United States. The most popular places to buy Mustang horses are from a horse auction and adoption event or from private owners and reputable trainers.

At a BLM wild horse adoption event

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hosts hundreds of wild horse adoption events each year across the county where you can adopt a Mustang horse. These are wild horses they gathered in a recent round-up, so the Mustangs you buy are often untrained. However, some are broke enough to ride right away if you’re willing to pay extra.

From a private owner

Often, Mustang horse owners will advertise on the Internet in forums or Facebook Groups. Sometimes these horses have gone through training and are ridable, but don’t count on it. You could always get lucky, but this is not the best way to buy a Mustang horse because not all sellers are honest.

Through a reputable trainer or breeder

If you want to ensure you’re not taken advantage of when you spend your hard-earned money on a Mustang horse, go through a reputable trainer or breeder. They will have pedigree and health records available, which is important to look over before you purchase any animal. Be aware that buying a horse from a reputable breeder will come with a higher price tag at the cost of knowing exactly what you’re getting.

Mustang horse prices in 2023: How much does a Mustang horse cost?

If you attend a BLM-sanctioned wild Mustang horse adoption event, it is $25 to buy an untrained horse and a minimum of $125 to buy a gentled or trained Mustang horse.

Are you surprised by the prices of unbroke Mustang horses in 2023? Well, it’s not always that cheap.

If you go through a private owner or trainer, you could pay anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars for a Mustang horse.

That’s because these horses might have gone through more training, have experience in a specific discipline like eventing, or come with records like their pedigree. Sometimes, these Mustang horses are not true wild horses.

How much does a Mustang horse cost per month?

The cost per month to own a Mustang horse depends on a variety of factors:

• Whether the horse lives outside or in a stall
• How healthy they are or if they struggle with chronic issues
• How often your vet and farrier come out
• What type of feed and hay they eat
• Whether you use sawdust and what kind you choose
• If you plan to compete, the competition, equipment, and trailering fees
• Whether they need training or you need lessons

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when it comes to the price. Let’s go over each factor individually to break down how much a Mustang horse costs per month and what that adds up to in a year.

How much does a Mustang horse cost per year?

The average cost to own a Mustang horse per year is between $3,000-$8,000. It varies wildly based on your location, the quality of the supplies and equipment you buy, where you board your horse, and other considerations we will discuss below.

Housing costs

If you keep your Mustang horse at your own facility, this keeps costs lower than if you board at a local farm. If you decide to keep your horse off-site, you will have to decide the type of boarding — stall or field/paddock — and level of care — self or full-service.

Type of boarding

Stall boarding typically costs over $800 a month depending on your location while field/paddock boarding is lower, about half the price. If you’re buying a wild horse, field/paddock boarding is the way to go since it is most similar to their past environment and they might be afraid of the stall.

Sometimes, barns will have an option for hybrid boarding. You can decide whether you want your horse to be inside or outside for most of the day, but they will do both.

Level of care

If you decide to go with self-care boarding at a local barn, you are responsible for your own horses’ feedings, stall cleanings, and more. The full-service option is great if you want the barn manager to take care of those responsibilities so you can focus on riding and getting to know your Mustang Horse. The prices vary per barn, so ask around!

Vet bills

Typically, you should schedule a vet appointment once a year for your Mustang horse. As they get older, more frequent visits might be needed. However, any horse owner will tell you that they see their vet closer to 4 times a year because horses are both incredibly majestic and injury-prone animals.

A vet appointment will cost you around $50-250 per visit, not including medications, supplements, or additional treatments. The vet will come out to your farm to examine your horse in their own environment. If your Mustang horse needs to be transported to an equine hospital, that can get even more expensive.

Farrier fees

Even if your Mustang horse doesn’t wear horseshoes, you will still need to schedule an appointment with a farrier every 4-6 weeks. That’s because, like humans, horses’ hooves grow and need to be trimmed regularly.

This is a routine service that will set you back between $50-$150 each time. If you stick to the recommended schedule, farrier costs alone are between $450-$750 a year.

Feed prices

The hay and grain prices in your area and the type of feed you provide your Mustang horse will determine how much it costs per year.

However, the average 1,1000 lbs horse consumes 2% of its body weight per day in hay. Add on the cost of grain (if you buy that) and your yearly cost is over $1,000 just for feed.

Supply costs

What does “supply costs” mean when it comes to horses? This takes into consideration all the extra supplies your Mustang horse may need such as:

• Sawdust for their stall
• Fly spray
• Toys to keep them entertained
• Blankets for the colder months
• Hoof picks
• Brushes
• And more!

All of this is available at your local equestrian supply store or online. Prices vary depending on the quality and size.

Show fees

Owning a Mustang horse can get expensive if you compete in shows. From local to A-rated shows, each class has an entry fee. You also have to think about whether you already have a trailer to get your horse to and from the show or if you have to buy one. Then there’s gas for the trailer, trainer fees, and special equipment costs, all of which vary widely as far as the price.

Equipment costs

Since prices vary so much, let’s discuss the type of equipment you might need for your Mustang horse and the average cost.

If you want to ride your Mustang horse, you need a well-fitted saddle and pad, the appropriate bit and bridle, a quality helmet, and proper riding boots. Saddles range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while bridles are closer to the $250-$500 range.

If you want to compete with your Mustang horse, you need proper competition attire. This will depend entirely on the type of event you’re competing in — from barrel racing to dressage.

Usually riding gloves, a jacket, and knee-length riding boots are required for English disciplines while a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and a fresh pair of blue jeans are all you need to enter a rodeo.

Training fees

The yearly cost of owning a Mustang horse will also depend on whether you hire a professional trainer or riding instructor. If the horse is completely feral, you might need to send it off to a trainer to be broke. If the horse is ridable, you might just need consistent lessons to help you reach your goals.

A professional trainer will cost around $2,000 to break your Mustang horse so that you can ride them.

If you hire a riding instructor, they will come out between 1-4 times a month to teach you how to become a better rider, costing you between $25-150 per lesson depending on the level of instruction.

What is the most expensive part of owning a Mustang horse?

When it comes to owning a Mustang horse specifically, the most expensive part is paying for professional trainers. You probably want to buy one so you can ride it, and many Mustangs are untrained.

The other most expensive part of owning a Mustang horse is the upkeep. Horses aren’t cheap. They eat a lot, are prone to injury, and can live to be up to 30 years old. This is something to consider before adopting or buying a Mustang horse.

The true cost of a Mustang horse

Now you know that even though the purchase price of a Mustang horse in 2023 is relatively cheap, the training and routine care required to own one is not.

However, the bond you create with your new horse is priceless!

Make sure you do your research before you decide to adopt or buy. The right horse is out there for you… and it might just be a Mustang horse!