Horses For Sale in Illinois

Horses for sale in Illinois - find your dream horse

Illinois is home to some of America’s most fertile farmlands. It’s also home to some of America’s most diverse and vibrant cities, such as Chicago. Horses have always played an essential part in the culture of this state, whether as farm horses, racehorses, or horses working in urban areas. Draft horses still feature prominently among the horses for sale in Illinois. Along with drafts, Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds, and Quarter Horses are among the most searched-for breeds in Illinois. Could your dream horse be among the horses for sale in Illinois currently available on the ehorses website? It’s easy to find out. Simply use the country and radius filters to start. The easy-to-use website enables anyone, anywhere in the world, to search for horses in Illinois. If you already live in this state and want to refine your search, narrow it by using zip codes. Then add some other criteria, such as age, height, gender, and color of your ideal horse. The listings will also give an idea of the most bought horses in Illinois right now. 

Horses for sale in Illinois - find the perfect owner for your horse

Looking for the perfect owner for your horse for sale in Illinois? Both breeders and private sellers find the ehorses website an easy and effective way to promote their horses' abilities. The ehorses website lets buyers and sellers negotiate across the globe from the comfort of their homes. Ready to advertise? Here are some checklist tips from the ehorses team to help you get the best from your ad. 

Checklist for an advertisement

• Potential buyers search by the horse’s age, height, color, breed or type, and discipline. Tell them about your horse’s achievements, too.
• Double-check that contact details are full and up-to-date. Incorrect or incomplete information loses sales.
• Include up to 20 images and 4 videos in your horse advertisements for free.
• Checking boxes for more options will ensure your ad reaches an even larger audience.

Horses in Illinois

The economic impact of the Illinois horse industry

The horse population of Illinois is around 178,400. The state’s population of horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys is estimated to value around $300 million. The total goods and services value of the equine contribution to the state is $1.2 billion. There are 64,000 horse owners, but the industry engages around 200,000 people in various forms of employment. Racing, including harness racing, has always been well-supported in Illinois. Horse racing provided $129,860,566 to the economy in 2001. Historically, draft horse breeding was an important part of the Illinois economy. 

The history of horses in Illinois

Illinois gets its name from the local native people, known as the Inoka. Illinois was settled by Europeans in the early nineteenth century. They came mainly from Georgia, at first. The state developed rapidly as an important agricultural and industrial center. Coal mining was also important. Horses were essential to the development of all these commercial areas. Illinois became a major transport hub through the construction of the Port of Chicago. Agricultural and industrial products were exported, and draft horses were one of the important imports. Harness racing was a popular sport supported by the whole population of Illinois. Quarter Horse racing also had a great following among Illinois farmers and ranchers. The state’s reputation for draft horses can be linked to particular individuals, such as Ellis Dillon. In 1843 this horse breeder imported Old Sampson, an English draft horse. Pretty soon, the family had a reputation for the quality of its drafts. They then began to import Percheron-Norman horses, better known today simply as Percherons. Their most famous stallion was Old Louis Napoleon, the first Norman draft in the state, for which they paid $1,000 for a half share in 1857. They acquired total ownership by paying another $2,000 in 1864. Magnificent Oaklawn Farm in Wayne, Illinois was run by the Dunham family, important Percheron horse breeders. With its large population of working horses, Chicago was one of the cities worst affected by an outbreak of a serious horse disease in the 1870s. From 1897, the University of Illinois Horse Farm gained a reputation for the quality of its Percherons, Morgan Horses, Quarter Horses, and Standardbred Pacers and Trotters. With increasing wealth, elite sports, such as polo, became popular among successful Illinois businessmen, particularly in the Barrington Hills area. In the 1940s, Jack Mervis built a successful Arabian stud at the Oaks Farm.

Horse associations in Illinois

The Horseman’s Council of Illinois is an important organization for horse owners in Illinois. Many of the Illinois breed-specific organizations, from Missouri Fox Trotters to Quarter Horses are members. Equestrian organizations, such as the Illinois Boots and Saddles Club, are also members. 

Disciplines in Illinois

All equestrian disciplines are represented in Illinois. Racing is still popular, though the most famous track, Arlington International Racecourse, closed in 2021. Illinois has its own Derby, established in 1923 at the Hawthorn Racetrack. Leisure riding is very popular in this state, where many aspire to own horses. Barrel racing and Western riding events are well-supported. An interesting aspect is that agricultural traditions still influence horse culture. For instance, hayrides and draft horse and pony pulls are still popular. 

Most famous horses in Illinois

Belgian stallion McIlrath’s Captain Jim is a Guinness World Record winner. He was the most expensive draft horse ever recorded in a sale. As a two-year-old in 2003, he was sold for $112,500 at the Mid-America Draft Horse Sale, in Gifford, Illinois. Spokane, the winner of the 1889 Kentucky Derby, was bred near Carlinville, Illinois.

Basic information about Illinois

Illinois is a state in the Midwest region of the USA. Its population is 12,812,508. America’s most horse-loving president, former actor Ronald Reagan, was born in Illinois.