Always get a vetting
A five-stage pre-purchase examination by an independent vet is the single best money you will spend. It protects you and is usually required before an insurer will cover the horse for loss of use.
Quick answer
How much do horses cost in the UK?
Horses in the UK typically cost £500–£10,000+. PetTrader lists them from licensed breeders, private sellers and rescues, with 10 breeds guides, prices, locations and health details on every advert.
- Typical price
- £500–£10,000+
- Breeds guides
- 10
- Live adverts
- 0
- Seller checks
- ID verified
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Horses advice & buying guides
Try before you buy
Ride or handle the horse at least twice, ideally in different conditions and away from the yard. Ask to see it caught, tacked up, loaded and shod. Be wary of any seller who has the horse ready and warmed up before you arrive.
The real cost of keeping a horse
Livery, feed, bedding, farriery, dentistry, worming, insurance and tack add up to several thousand pounds a year before you have bought the horse. Plan for vet emergencies too.
How much do horses cost in the UK?
Horses typically sell for £500–£10,000+ in the UK. Price depends on the breed or variety, health testing and registration paperwork, the seller's location and the time of year. An advert priced well below the band for its breed is one of the most common signs of an unlicensed seller or a scam.
| Breed | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Shetland Pony foals | £300–£2,500 |
| Welsh Section A foals | £500–£4,000 |
| Welsh Cob (Section D) foals | £1,500–£10,000 |
| Cob foals | £1,000–£6,000 |
| Thoroughbred foals | £1,000–£15,000 |
| Irish Sport Horse foals | £3,000–£25,000 |
| Connemara Pony foals | £2,000–£12,000 |
| New Forest Pony foals | £1,000–£6,000 |
| Highland Pony foals | £2,000–£8,000 |
| Appaloosa foals | £2,000–£10,000 |
Horses for sale: common questions
How much do horses and ponies cost in the UK?+
Expect £500–£10,000 and upwards. Companion horses and older ponies can be a few hundred pounds, a sound all-rounder or family pony typically runs £3,000–£8,000, and competition horses with a record go well beyond that. The purchase price is the smallest part of the cost.
What does it cost to keep a horse per month?+
Most UK owners spend £250–£600 a month depending on livery. Grass livery is cheapest; full livery, shoeing every six to eight weeks, hay, feed, worming, dentist, vaccinations and insurance are the main ongoing costs, plus unexpected vet bills.
Does a horse need a passport?+
Yes. Every horse, pony and donkey in the UK must have an equine passport and be microchipped, and the passport must be transferred to the new owner within 30 days of sale. Never buy a horse without seeing its passport.
Should I get a horse vetted before buying?+
Yes — a pre-purchase examination by an independent vet is strongly recommended, especially the five-stage vetting for any horse you intend to compete. It also matters for insurance, as insurers may refuse claims for pre-existing conditions.
What should I check when viewing a horse?+
See the horse caught, tacked up and ridden by the seller before you ride it yourself, watch it trot up in hand on a hard surface, check its behaviour in traffic if relevant, and ask directly about vices, previous injuries and why it is being sold. Visit more than once if you can.
Can I loan a horse instead of buying?+
Loaning is a common and lower-risk route, particularly for a first horse. Always use a written loan agreement covering who pays for vet care, shoeing and insurance, and where the horse is kept.
How do I avoid scams when buying a horse online?+
View the animal in person at the seller's own home before any money changes hands, keep all messages inside PetTrader so there is a record, and never pay by bank transfer, gift card or crypto to someone you have not met. Every PetTrader seller completes a photo-ID and live selfie check, and verified accounts carry a badge, and you can report an advert from the listing page.
Where to advertise horses for sale
Selling rather than buying? Identity-verified private sellers get their first advert free, and the first 200 businesses and breeders get 12 months free. See all horses for sale, read where to advertise horses in the UK for the costs and legal rules, or rehome a pet you already own.