What Do World Champion Genetics Cost?

EC Blog by: Meredith Westbrook

I’m the first person to truly want great horses in capable hands, but I also need people to understand what it really takes to get that “great one” on the ground. So, I will repost my cost analysis from last year.

What do World Champion genetics cost?

I thought I would answer that question in detail to erase any doubt from speculative minds. I sat down and figured out the total breeding expenses for a resulting foal.

– Booking Fee: $250

– Breeding Fee: $2,250

– Shipping Fee: $350 (Hope and pray you only have to ship semen once)

– Artificial Insemination Fee: $450 (Insemination, tranquilization, boarding, etc.)

– Shipping container return: $18

– 2 Ultrasound Appointments: $250

– Feed for 18 months (From impregnation to weaning): $1,500

– Vaccines: $180

– Plasma: $400

– Foal Registration (AQHA standard): $30

– Foal Incentive Fund Fee (AQHA standard): $125

– Other Futurity Nominations (NSBA BCF, NSBA SIF, etc): $250

The total cost of this particular foal from insemination to weaning is $6,053.

This price list does not include any additional semen shipments, breeding cycles, problems that occur at parturition, dystocias, or complete loss of the foal or mare. Also not included is the daily training that goes into the foal once it’s born, an estimated fifty hours of work for each foal. I also did not factor in grain, dewormer, probiotics, electrolytes, hoof work, medical bills, futurity nominations, or other basic expenses.

So, next time you turn your nose up and scoff at the price of that fabulous-moving, 6-day-old foal with World Champion genetics… please keep this in mind! Know the value of what you’re looking at. Do your research. The moral of the story is apples are apples and breeding horses is not for the faint of heart…