would you expect to pay for a companion horse?

i would not buy a companion horse. i have two horses. i got one for free off the track standardbred and one for $1500. i ride the one i paid for but the free horse is rideable but clumsy. she makes a great companion horse...BUT, consider this when you get your companion horse: is it an easy keeper? my OTTS is big and eats alot. and she is bossy. shes always bossing around my horse.

so, try finding an easy keeper horse (arabian, pony etc) and definitely a rescue horse.

Usually I see companion horses for free, or if they're from a horse rescue, it might be a very small fee (like $50).

Besides the asking price, I think this horse wouldn't be a good choice for you because he is so young. A young horse might harass your older horses, and you would be stuck paying for an unrideable horse for many years to come, even after your older horses are gone. You should probably be looking for something a little older.

If the companion horse is not sound to be ridden or anything then I would definitely expect it to be free. Either a free lease (a retirement situation) so you would care for the horse on your property until it passes away or sell it to you for $1 or so to make it a legal sale.

If the companion horse can be used for light riding (ie. trail rides, walk/trot beginner rides in an arena) then I'd probably pay up to $1000.

I would pay a small sum for a companion horse. Though the horse can't be ridden the owners presumably have spent money keeping its vet and farrier work up to date. Plus in the case of the three year old they have also recently spent the money to either purchase or breed the horse.

I would be willing to pay a small sum for a companion horse, especially if it was a good well-mannered horse.

Edit: what's up with the thumbs down?

every six weeks expect to spend $40+ for trimming/shoeing. there are yearly wormings and vaccines. emergency vet bills that will be hundreds if not thousands of dollars. grooming supplies.. tack later on. grain and hay. bedding. trainer fee's. boarding. then theres the daily watering and feeding 2 or more times a day, daily stall cleaning and letting the horse out.

dont buy a companion!!!

lots of horse charitys have loads of companion horses that they will but out on loan free of charge this is because everyone is looking for a riding horse to loan.

so go to an equine charity !!

its also good because most companions have illnesses and if it gets to the point you realy cant afford it anymore they have a home to go back to :)

I would think if you think your horse needs a buddy you should look for a small one they aren't so hard on the fences and so not eat as much!! I would think you could get one free, there are so many people that are giving them a way because of the no slaughter laws.

you can 'borrow' a horse to use as a companion from equine rescues such as the ILPH. i know someone who did this and they had the horse for about 3 years, until their original horse died and then they gave it back to the rescue. otherwise u will probs have to pay a couple of hundred pounds

No, because there are so many that are unwanted and more than likely will be unable to be ridden usually they are given away.

That or you can look into adopting, there is usually a fee that is put towards the charity.

I'd go for the horse that was $500