Horses are magnificent and beautiful specimens that are known for their elegance and grace.Keeping and rearing horses is an expensive job or hobby for certain people. All horse breeds are different and unique, coming with their own specific characteristics.Horses have played a major role in the civilization of human beings. Even in art and form, horses never fail to inspire us, making their way into our universal language with words like ‘horsepower’ and ‘horsefeathers’. Horses are bred for different reasons. They are bred either as a hobby, a tradition in the family, for horseracing, a business venture, or for helping farm owners and ranch keepers. A horse’s worth is largely dependent on factors like its health, breed, speed, age, capabilities, characteristics, location, and credibility.Racehorses are considered to be the most costly type of horse in the world. Horse breeds with the highest pedigree have always been a mark of luxury for the elite. Even among racehorses, there are some expensive horse breeds! Some of the most expensive horse breeds in the world are Gypsy vanner horses, Dutch warmblood horses, Arabian horses, Hanoverian horses, American Standardbred horses, Friesian breed, American paint horses, Selle Francais horses or French sports horses, Oldenburg horses, Quarter Horses, and Thoroughbred horses. The most expensive horse is none other than the Fusaichi Pegasus- a thoroughbred!If you enjoy this article on the most expensive horse breeds in the world, be sure to check out our other articles on horse facts for kids or facts about the most expensive chicken that you are sure to enjoy!The Top 10 Most Expensive HorsesHorses are extremely beautiful, elegant, and magnificent creatures with slender bodies and athletic builds. Horses can bring their owners loads of money and the business of breeding horses is one that is successful and highly profitable in most cases.The equestrian or horse riding world is a fascinating one that is filled with highly competitive competitions like show jumping, horseback riding, dressage, ad horseracing. Out of all horses, those horse breeds that are used in horseracing tend to be the most expensive horses. Some popular expensive horse breeds in the world are Thoroughbreds, Arabian horses, Oldenburger horses, American Standardbred, Gypsy vanner, Dutch warmblood breed, American Quarter horse breed, American paint horse, Hanoverian horse breed, and Friesian breed. Factors like their height, age, breed, speed, power, and temperament are also deciding components when it comes to their total net worth.Gypsy vanner horses are a horse breed that was bred to pull caravans and the gypsies of Great Britain are known to develop this breed. Looking like magical creatures out of a fairy tale, these horses also make great runners and their gallop is equally magnificent! They are quite common across Great Britain but their numbers are quite limited around other parts of the world. This expensive horse also goes by the name ‘people-sized’ draft horse due to its short height. Dutch warmbloods are the most successful competition horses in the world. This horse breed was developed during the post-European war period through a breeding program that began in the 1960s. The main reason for Dutch warmbloods being expensive is that they are given very precise care ever since birth. In fact, they’re not driven until they are either four or five years old and given proper training! The Dutch warmblood is an excellent hunter and dressage horse. This makes them a great demand because they are well known for being successful at various competitions.At first sight, these horses look strong, big, and powerful plus they are a great joy to work with because of their good temperament. The Dutch warmblood is also a fairly young breed with three types which are the athletic sport horse, the Gelderland working horse, and the elegant harness horse. Another expensive horse breed is the Arabian horse which is also considered to be one of the world’s oldest horse breeds! The Arabian can be easily recognized from its distinct head shape, slender backs, and the unique higher end of the tail part of their body. They are a highly intelligent horse breed and are well trained from a young age as training is very important for these horses. These horses, in fact, were first used as war horses or for cavalry purposes in the late 1800s and early 1900s.Bred in the Middle East, they can go well without food and water for several days and can also withstand harsh desert conditions! The speed and endurance of this Arabian breed further make them expensive yet rare. Hanoverian horses are German horses that are very famous for their long-standing history of athleticism and unparalleled form. In the past, Hanoverian horses were used for agricultural purposes, military purposes, and as coaches for transportation! However, of late, this breed has also become dressage horses too. They are quite large with an average height, and equally majestic body to match, and are very easy to train. All these characteristics make them successful competitors.The American Standardbred horse is another expensive breed that was developed initially as a harness racing horse. Bred in the 19th century in the United States, the American Standardbred has excellent stamina and are friendly, relaxed, and intelligent horses! Today there are two of its kind- the trotting horse that is mainly used for harness racing and the pacing horse which is used on a daily basis in saddle trot competitions. The Friesian breed is ancient, dating back to the 11th century Friesian region in the Netherlands. This breed was also used as war horses for their agility and power. They are willing, gentle, and also energetic in nature. The American paint horse is another horse that is highly popular for its flashy coloring and versatility. The paint horse does very well in barrel racing, cross-country events, and in almost every equine sport. The Selle Francais horses or French horses are a french horse breed famous for showjumping and trail riding. They are quick to learn and are always striving to please their owners! Some of these horses have gone on to become world-renowned Olympic and Grand Prix performers.The Oldenburg horse, also called the Oldenburger was given its name after the German aristocrat Count Graf Anton Gunther von Oldenburg. They are high jumpers and are trained for success in various competitive sports. Quarter horses or the American quarter horse is one that excels in sprinting short distances and has the ability to outrun other horse breeds in quarter miles or less! The quarter horse is also the most popular horse breed in the United States today. Last but not least are Thoroughbreds which lie at the top of the list of the most expensive horses to be sold. This breed was bred in England for the sole reason of horse racing. Known for their spirit and speed, these horses are the fastest of their kind. The most expensive horse to be sold ever was the Fusaichi Pegasus, a thoroughbred that won the 2000 Kentucky derby! Fun fact, Thoroughbreds and quarter horses are known to have Arabian bloodlines in them!Why are Arabian horses expensive?Considered to be an exotic horse by many, as their name goes, this horse is purely Arabic, making them one of the most expensive horse breeds in the world! Being one of the oldest breeds in the world, they were initially bred to help raiders loot villages and help them in wars. Hence, they are also war horses. The Arabian horse was bred in the scalding heat of the Middle Eastern deserts, allowing them to develop a great deal of endurance that gives them the ability to survive almost anywhere without food and water for long periods. The Arabian breed of horse is extremely beautiful and their striking looks cannot be compared to any other horse breed. Their insane speed, positive temperament, and high sensitivity to the intuitive needs of their owners make them a great demand despite being an expensive breed. Furthermore, they are willing to please and good-natured, making them an excellent option for beginners!The Rarest Type Of HorseThe rarest horse in the world is said to be none other than the Akhal-Teke horse breed which has recently been placed in the Conservation Priority List for being endangered too! Popular for its endurance, speed, metallic gold sheen, and overall beauty, this distinct horse is largely found in the country of Turkmenistan. Today, this breed has roughly around 6,600 of them in existence. This breed represents the purest living descendant of the historical Scythian horse! In fact, the name ‘Akhal’ means pure and the second part of its name ‘Teke’ has been derived from an oasis that belongs to the nomadic ‘Teke’ tribe that lived in Turkmenistan, further explaining the origins of this horse. This breed was transported to Russia where the member of the royal family used them to a large extent.Do Arabian horses live longer?Yes, Arabian horses have longer lifespans than some of the bigger horse breeds like Dutch warmblood breeds and even Draft horses. Arabian horses can live up to a period of 25-30 years which is slightly higher compared to the lifespans of other horse breeds. Arabian horses have excellent stamina and great health, winning multiple racing world records. Being one of the most expensive horse breeds in the world, they are also seen to be the oldest breed too.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you like our suggestions for the 10 most expensive horse breeds in the world, then why not take a look at if holly berries are poisonous or facts about armored animals.

Horses are magnificent and beautiful specimens that are known for their elegance and grace.