- Understand the Market for Arabian Horses
- Evaluate the Horse’s Strengths
- Calculate Based on the Horse’s Performance and Pedigree
- Look at the Market Conditions
In order to set prices you first must understand that there are no set rules. If someone tells you that they have a foolproof system for valuations then they are not being honest with you – or, if they are honest, they were probably lucky with a few valuations but the system won’t be effective in the long-run. That said, there are factors that influence the value of an Arabian horse.
Part of the cost of an Arabian horse is made up of the soundness of the horse itself – its condition, age, temperament, and conformation. You should evaluate the horse based on its strengths in terms of coat, appearance, athleticism, etc. Bear in mind, however, that some of these strengths are subjective and one person’s fine, athletic horse will be another’s spirited challenge. Setting a price based purely on how good the horse looks or how well it behaves is not always going to get you the sale.
In addition to the horse’s temperament and appearance, the value is based on the horse’s blood lines and its performance history in shows. The value of a horse takes into account how ready the horse is for a particular activity – racing, showing, trail riding, etc. If you have trained a horse for a particular activity and it is currently excelling at this activity, the price will rise. A largely untrained horse that is able to be “shaped” by its new owners will go for a lower price in general. A proven champion or a proven breeding horse will grab a much higher price.
Often the amount of money you can get for your horse will depend on where you are selling. Take a look around and find out what other people are asking for their animals – if your horse is priced way too high compared to these prices then you are unlikely to have many people interested. Look on sites like www.arabhorsesforsale.com to see how much similar horses go for. Of course, just because your horse is almost the same as another horse listed for sale doesn’t mean you will get the same price for it. The market is quick to change and many factors influence the final selling price including the personality of the buyer. Your best chance of getting a fair price for your horse is to do your research, be realistic and honest, and be willing to negotiate.
When you ask “how much is my Arabian horse worth” it is similar to saying “how much is my car worth?” No one is going to be able to provide an answer without any details – a Porsche in great condition is worth much more than an old, beaten-up Ford for example. In the same way, every Arabian horse is different and putting a value on the horse needs to take into consideration a number of factors. Valuing your horse for market is a fine art but you can do a better job at putting a price on your Arabian with these tips.