Shire Horse Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost, Supplies, Food, and More!

Shires are a type of draft horse — like the Percheron or Clydesdale. They are not bred for speed. Rather, their size and strength mean they pull heavy farm equipment and carry men decked out in full armor into battle (when that was a thing) with ease. So how much do Shire horses cost? Shire horse prices in 2024 reflect the rarity of the breed. Let’s talk about the initial purchase cost and ongoing expenses you can expect to pay if you buy a draft horse like the Shire.

How Many Shire Horses Are Left in the World?

As of 2024, there are only 2,000 Shire horses left in the world! Shires are a horse breed from England considered to be endangered and “at risk” because of their dwindling population numbers. If you have a chance to buy a Shire horse, consider yourself one of the lucky ones!

Are Shires the Biggest Horses in the World?

Draft horses are among the biggest horses in the world. Shires, specifically are massive, incredibly powerful animals that have held world records for being both the largest and tallest horse breed. They stand between 16-19 hands high on average, with stallions often growing taller than mares.

The tallest Shire horse ever recorded, Sampson, measured at 21.2 hands high. That is a mammoth of an animal! Maybe that’s why they changed his name…

What Is the Rarest Color of a Shire Horse?

The most common colors to see on a Shire horse are black, bay, and gray. A chestnut or sorrel Shire is much less likely and you don’t often see paint, palomino, or white coloring on them either. Why? Those three colorings lead to characteristically white markings on the horse’s face and legs. Since excessive white markings are not desirable for the breed, those are the rarest colors of a Shire horse.

Where to Find Shire Horses for Sale

You can find Shire horses for sale primarily in Europe, Australia, and North America. However, anyone in the world can buy a Shire horse, so look online in your local area if you want to purchase one.

Online

There are many websites and forums for buying and selling horses. You can find Shire horses on those sites, but you risk possibly buying a Shire cross when you go through individual sellers. If you want one with a storied pedigree, you’re better off going through a reputable association or breeder.

From a Reputable Association, Breeder, or Trainer

Currently, there are about 3,000 Shires registered with the American Shire Horse Association (ASHA) around the world. You can visit their website to browse their marketplace and maybe buy yourself a purebred Shire horse! This route is safest because you know exactly what you’re getting. Plus, they’re already registered, which comes with its own set of perks.

Horse Auction

If the price is holding you back from buying a Shire horse, consider a Shire cross at a horse auction. Horses sold at auctions are a less expensive avenue to horse ownership because they aren’t often registered or pedigreed. You risk getting an inexperienced mount this way, but you could also find a gem!

How Much Do Shire Horses Cost?

Even if you do find a gem, it’s going to cost you. Standard horse prices range from $1,000-$10,000 depending on your location, the horse’s breed, and its level of experience. Since Shire horses are rare, you will likely end up paying on the higher end of this range. You’ll pay even more if they are used for stud (breeding) or won ribbons in the show ring.

Shire Horse Prices in 2024: Purchase Cost and Ongoing Expenses

Shire horses are not only a rare breed, making them more expensive to purchase, but they are massive animals that require daily feed, a comfortable place to sleep, and annual veterinary care. What’s the cost of all of that? Let’s talk about it.

Initial Purchase Cost

In 2024, Shire horse prices range between $5,000-$20,000. If they are a stud stallion or champion show horse, you could find the cost of a Shire horse exceeding upwards of $50,000!

Cost of Boarding

Beyond the initial purchase price, you have to think about the cost of monthly boarding for your Shire horse. They are large animals, so they require adequate space in their stall — often resulting in a higher monthly boarding bill. For a full-service stall board, you can expect to pay between $600-$900 a month to house your Shire.

If you decide to pasture board them, you will cut your boarding costs in half. Just make sure they have a blanket for the colder months and a fly mask in the summer to keep them safe while they’re outdoors 24/7!

Food Prices

Like other horse breeds, Shires require about 2% of their body weight in forage a day. But Shire horses are large… between 1,800 and 2,400 pounds. That means you have to almost double the amount of feed for a Shire than for a smaller breed, which brings your ongoing costs up. Let’s get into the nitty gritty of horse food prices.

Quality grain is priced around $40 for a 50-pound bag, which will last around 5 days for a large breed like Shires. Add $15 on average per hay bale and any supplements your vet recommends and the total cost equals over $3,000 a year just to feed your Shire. It’s a good thing they’re worth it!

Vet and Farrier Expenses

The cost of routine health care for a Shire will depend on your vet’s hourly rate. Healthy horses should get a checkup once or twice a year. But, because they are a type of draft horse, there is a breed-specific health issue to look out for called Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. It is a common disease for draft horses like Shires that leads to muscle pain, weakness, and a reluctance to move. Treatment can be pricy, so factor that into the cost of owning this gentle giant.

If your Shire is pulling heavy equipment and working on your farm, you might want to consider putting a full set of horseshoes on them. If you do, just know that farriers charge extra for draft horse trims and shoes. Shires are large, so they require more time and materials.

Price of Supplies and Equipment

Speaking of materials, supplies, and equipment will also cost more for Shires than for a smaller horse breed. That’s because the saddles, bridles, and girths are customized to fit draft sizes. And remember the part about draft breeds needing bigger stalls? They also require more bedding to pad their joints if they lie down to sleep.

Cost of Training or Showing

One of the most significant costs of owning a Shire horse is the price to train or show with it. If you buy a green horse, a quality trainer will set you back about close to $1,000 while weekly riding instruction for you can range from $25-$250 per lesson.

If you decide you want to compete on your Shire, the breed is most successful in driving, jumping, dressage, and trail riding. Class fees, trailering, and show equipment are additional costs to consider before you purchase a Shire horse.

The Right Time to Buy a Shire Horse

The best time to buy this one-of-a-kind breed is right now! Even though the Shire horse prices in 2024 are more expensive because of the breed’s low population — there are only around 2,000 left in the world — you could be one of the lucky few owners of this mighty draft. So what are you waiting for? The perfect Shire horse is out there for you!