Brygun's research into the prices of Horses of the Old West circa 1880
Horses
Special thanks to Brygun and his friend Catherine and the lived in 1880s author of Little House on the Prairie. Horse price varies for: breed, quality, appearance and very much by training.
Breed: Mustang/Bronco
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustang_horse
Small, compact, good bone, very hardy.
Descendant of horses left centuries ago by the Spanish. Initial stock can be caught. The pricing will be similar for horses of general breeding such as on farms, work in towns, stagecoaches and so forth.
Pony $15 – 25 (usually bad mannered, hard to train, might be used for dog-cart)
Wild/unbroken $15 (brought in from the wilds or yearling from a ranch)
Riding bronco $25-30 (most cowboys, trained)
Quality bronco $50 (nice looking, Black Beauty, White Lightning)
Breed: Morgans
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_horse
Compact, muscular but refined build, clean cut head, well arched neck. Stamina and vigor, personality and eagerness and strong natural way of moving.
A breed developed in the 1850-1860s known for a hard working smaller horse means more efficient.
Similar prices for controlled breeding horses such as the Quarter Horse or Tennessee Walking Horse.
Fair Morgan $100 (ride and drive)
Good Morgan $150-200 (3-5 yr old to ride and drive)
Matched pair $350 (Two similar height and similar look horses making a proper carriage team)
Breed: Quarter Horse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Quarter_Horse
Great sprinting speed over short distances. Those breed with mustangs have an innate “cow sense “ making them good for working with cattle. Popular with cowboys who do cattle drives.
Mixture of English thoroughbred and eastern USA wild horses.
Breed: Tennessee Walking Horse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Walking_Horse
Tall, long neck, calm disposition, straight head
Riding horse bred to carry the owners of plantations around their lands. Famous for flashy movement, popular for trail and pleasure riding as well as show. (note: “Running walk” develop s in 1940s)
Breed: Mule
Cross between donkey and horse. Infertile. Strong, not overly attractive. Most not trained under saddle. Might find a wild burrow/donkey and breed with horses.
Mule for Burden $30 (carry packs)
Mule for Pulling $50 (Can pull a plough to break new field. Carry load.)
Mule for Riding $75 (ride, drive, plough etc)
Breed: Draft
Appear in the 1890s or later so not really our time period.
Additional horse links:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_..._in_the_19th_century
http://www.choosingvoluntarysi...things-cost-in-1872/
http://www.thestarbarn.com/documents/AboutThe1870s.pdf