Friesian — cost & care
Gentle, elegant, willing. Large baroque horse.
A Friesian costs roughly $114,800 over its lifetime (16–20 years), or about $5,270/year: ~$2,495 food, ~$880 insurance, ~$450 routine vet, ~$1,100 farrier. Purchase price runs $7,000–$30,000.
📍 Costs in USD (United States) — see this breed in another country.
28lb of hay / day (~840 lb/mo)
11.2gallons of water / day
18 yraverage lifespan (16–20)
Customize your estimate — tick only what you actually pay for
Your estimate: / year · lifetime
Compare pet insurance
Get Friesian insurance quotes — average plan ~$880/yr. See quotesRecommended food
A Friesian eats ~840 lb/month. Shop large-breed foodFull cost breakdown
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Purchase (one-off) | $7,000–$30,000 |
| Food / year | $2,495 (28 lb hay/day) |
| Pet insurance / year | $880 (est.) |
| Routine vet / year | $450 |
| Farrier / year | $1,100 |
| Supplies & misc / year | $350 |
| Total annual | $5,270 |
| Lifetime total | $114,800 |
Breed stats
| Size | Large |
| Avg weight | 1400 lb |
| Height | 60–68 in |
| Lifespan | 16–20 yrs |
| Group | Baroque |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Temperament & care
| Beginner-friendly | 3/5 |
| Energy | 3/5 |
| Trainability | 4/5 |
| Shedding | 4/5 |
Common health conditions
- Dwarfism
- Megaesophagus
- Aortic rupture
- Retained placenta
How we calculate: food cost = breed weight → vet RER/MER calorie formula → cups/day → US food-price average. Insurance = NAPHIA US average adjusted by breed health-risk tier and size. Estimates — verify with your vet and insurer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Friesian cost per year?
About $5,270 a year — roughly $2,495 food, $880 insurance, $450 vet and $1,100 farrier.
What is the lifetime cost of a Friesian?
Around $114,800 across its 16–20-year lifespan, including purchase and first-year setup.
How much does a Friesian eat?
About 28 lb of hay a day (~840 lb per month).
How much water should a Friesian drink?
About 11.2 gallons of water a day — verify with your vet for your animal.
Is the Friesian hypoallergenic?
No — the Friesian sheds and is not considered hypoallergenic.