09/17/2026
I’ve seen SO many people looking for a “bombproof,” “kid-safe,” dead broke horse for under $2k when people are saying my horse that is not expensive at all is overpriced.
You might get lucky. It happens. But realistically, you are probably not going to find a good, truly child-safe, sound, well-broke horse for under $5,000.
If you’re shopping for a horse for a child especially a beginner I would realistically start looking at $5,000 and up.
Horses are expensive, and good, broke, dependable horses are going to cost more. You’re paying for years of training, experience, reliability, and the right temperament. And I promise you, you will pay for it one way or another. You can either buy a good horse, or you can spend the time, money, and experience to make one.
If you plan on making one, you better have the skills to do it or be prepared to invest in quality lessons and training for yourself.
I’m telling you right now: pay the price for a GOOD horse.
Not the horse you feel sorry for, so you buy it.
Not the horse that needs to go straight into training.
Not the young horse you want to “grow with.”
Not the horse that makes you nervous.
Not the horse that is simply too much horse for you or your kid
Sure, sometimes you can find a good horse cheap because someone needs it moved quickly. You can get lucky and be in the right place at the right time.
But you can’t build your horse shopping strategy around getting lucky.
Because that $2,000 horse that isn’t suitable for your child can quickly become a $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 mistake once you add training, vet bills, lost confidence, or worst of all a serious accident.
Your child’s safety is not the place to bargain hunt.
People get upset when they hear, “Good horses aren’t cheap, and cheap horses aren’t good.”
At the end of the day, you’re going to pay for it one way or another.
Spend a little more upfront on something you know is good, sound, suitable, and properly trained from the beginning.
And remember: there is no such thing as a 100% bombproof horse. Even the best horse is still a horse.
Good horses are a luxury. And sometimes the cheapest horse ends up being the most expensive horse you ever own.
