There was a time when importing a dressage horse sounded like something only professionals did.

Today, it’s become surprisingly common.

Whether you’re looking for a young prospect in Germany, a schoolmaster in the Netherlands, or a Lusitano in Portugal, buying a horse overseas can give you access to a much larger selection—and sometimes better value for money.

But importing a horse isn’t as simple as finding one you like and arranging transport.

There are more moving parts, more people involved, and more opportunities for expensive mistakes.

This guide will walk you through what to expect before you decide to buy a dressage horse from another country.

Why do people import dressage horses?

The biggest reason is simple:

Selection.

Some countries simply have more dressage horses available than others.

If you’re looking for a quality amateur horse, a FEI prospect, or a specific bloodline, you’ll usually have far more options by looking internationally than only searching your local market.

Many buyers also find that horses abroad are:

• better educated for the price
• available in greater numbers
• easier to compare
• offered by professional sales yards with established export experience

Of course, every market is different, and prices change over time.

Sometimes importing saves money.

Sometimes it doesn’t.

The real advantage is usually having more choice.

Which countries are popular?

Some of the most popular countries for importing dressage horses include:

Germany

Germany remains one of the largest dressage horse markets in the world.

You’ll find everything from young horses to Grand Prix horses, as well as many professional sales barns. German Warmbloods continue to be among the most sought-after dressage horses internationally because of the country’s long history of breeding for sport.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands has one of the strongest dressage horse markets in Europe.

Dutch breeders and sales barns offer everything from young prospects to international Grand Prix horses, and the country is particularly well known for producing quality KWPN dressage horses.

Denmark

Denmark is home to some exceptional dressage breeding programs and has become a popular destination for buyers looking for talented young horses and future FEI prospects.

Belgium

Although Belgium is often associated with show jumping, there are also many excellent dressage horses available. Belgian sales barns frequently offer warmbloods suitable for amateurs through to upper-level competitors, and many international buyers include Belgium when shopping because it’s easy to visit alongside Germany and the Netherlands.

Sweden

Sweden has a smaller market than Germany or the Netherlands, but it produces many quality dressage horses. Swedish Warmbloods are known for their rideability, good temperaments and trainability, making them attractive for amateur riders looking for a reliable partner.

Italy

Italy isn’t usually the first country buyers think of, but there are excellent dressage horses available through professional riders and sales barns. You’ll find both locally bred horses and imported European warmbloods competing throughout the country.

Portugal

Portugal has become increasingly popular, especially for buyers interested in Lusitanos.

Many riders appreciate their natural ability for collection, willingness to work and suitability for dressage. Portugal has numerous professional breeders producing horses for everyone from ambitious amateurs to international riders.

Spain

Spain offers both PREs and warmbloods, with excellent horses available if you know where to look.

As with every country, quality varies enormously from one seller to another. The individual horse will always matter more than the country it comes from.

Can you buy without travelling?

Yes.

Many buyers purchase horses after seeing videos, arranging a veterinary examination and speaking with the seller.

But should you?

Whenever possible, seeing a horse in person is still the safest option.

A video can show movement.

It can’t tell you:

• what the horse feels like
• how it reacts to your riding
• how it behaves in the stable
• how it handles pressure
• whether it’s actually the right horse for you

Videos are helpful.

They’re not a substitute for experience.

Use an independent test rider if you can’t travel

If travelling to Europe isn’t possible, there is another option.

Hire an independent test rider to evaluate the horse on your behalf.

The important word here is independent.

Not the seller’s rider.

Not someone recommended by the sales barn.

Someone who is working for you.

A good independent rider can tell you things that no sales video ever will.

They can assess:

• how sensitive the horse really is
• whether it’s genuinely suitable for your riding level
• how forgiving it feels
• whether it matches the seller’s description
• whether anything concerns them during the ride

A good test rider isn’t there to tell you whether to buy the horse.

They’re there to give you honest information so you can make that decision yourself.

If you’re spending tens of thousands of dollars on a horse, paying for an impartial opinion can be money well spent.

Always choose your own veterinarian for the pre-purchase examination

A pre-purchase examination (PPE) is one of the most important parts of buying any horse.

Whenever possible, choose the veterinarian yourself rather than simply using the one suggested by the seller.

Many sales barns work regularly with local veterinarians, and while many of those relationships are completely professional, it’s generally considered good practice to use a veterinarian who is working solely in your interests.

The veterinarian performing the PPE should be independent and have no financial interest in whether the sale goes ahead.

The purpose of the examination isn’t to pass or fail a horse.

It’s to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.

Budget for more than the purchase price

One of the biggest surprises for first-time buyers is how much importing actually costs.

The purchase price is only one part of the total investment.

You’ll also need to budget for:

• international transport
• pre-purchase examination
• export paperwork
• health certificates
• insurance
• import duties or taxes (where applicable)
• quarantine requirements (depending on the destination country)
• airport handling fees
• ground transport from the airport to your barn
• currency exchange fees
• bank transfer fees

International flights are often the largest additional expense.

As a general guide, buyers importing horses from Europe to North America should expect flights for geldings to cost around USD $10,000, although prices fluctuate depending on the season, airline, fuel costs and flight availability.

Mares often cost several thousand dollars more, as airlines frequently require different shipping arrangements and additional stall space.

These figures change regularly, so always obtain current quotes before making a purchase.

Many first-time buyers focus entirely on the advertised price of the horse.

But a €50,000 horse rarely ends up costing €50,000 by the time it arrives safely at your barn.

Understanding your total budget before you start shopping will save you disappointment later.

Don’t buy the video

This is probably the most important advice on this website.

Sales videos are marketing.

That’s not a criticism.

It’s simply what they’re designed to do.

They show the horse at its absolute best.

What they don’t show is often just as important.

You don’t see:

• how the horse behaves in its stall
• how easy it is to catch from the paddock
• whether it stands quietly while being tacked up
• how it behaves with an unfamiliar rider
• how much work it had before filming started
• how it behaves on an ordinary day

A beautiful video should make you interested.

It should never make your decision for you.

Ask more questions than you think you need to

One advantage of buying abroad is that professional sales barns are usually accustomed to detailed questions.

Don’t be afraid to ask them.

For example:

• How long have you owned the horse?
• Why is it being sold?
• Who normally rides it?
• Has it had any previous injuries?
• How much turnout does it get?
• Does it hack alone?
• Can I see unedited videos?
• Has it already been worked today?
• Can I see the horse being caught and tacked up?
• Can I see it in its stall?

The more information you have, the easier it becomes to build an accurate picture of the horse.

Don’t fall in love too early

This is one of the easiest mistakes buyers make.

You watch the video.

You imagine yourself riding the horse.

You picture it arriving at your barn.

And before you’ve even booked a viewing, you’ve already decided it’s the one.

Try not to.

The best horse buyers stay curious for as long as possible.

They compare horses.

They ask difficult questions.

They gather information.

And they don’t let excitement replace good judgement.

Importing can be an excellent decision

Thousands of riders successfully import dressage horses every year.

Some find the horse they’ve dreamed about for years.

Others discover that shopping internationally gives them access to horses they simply couldn’t find at home.

Importing itself isn’t risky.

Buying without enough information is.

Take your time.

Ask questions.

Build a team you trust.

And remember that the goal isn’t simply to buy a horse in another country.

The goal is to buy the right horse—one that will still feel like the right decision long after the excitement of import day has passed.

What happens after you’ve bought the horse?

For many buyers, purchasing the horse feels like the finish line.

In reality, it’s only the beginning.

Once the sale is complete, there’s still quite a bit that needs to happen before your horse arrives safely at its new home.

The exact process varies depending on which country you’re importing from and where the horse is going, but the overall timeline is usually very similar.

Step 1: Arrange transport

The first step is booking international transport.

Most buyers use a professional equine shipping company that specializes in transporting horses overseas. These companies coordinate everything from ground transportation to flight bookings and customs paperwork.

Once your horse has a confirmed flight, you’ll receive an estimated departure and arrival date.

It’s worth remembering that flights don’t leave every day, so your horse may spend a little time waiting before a suitable flight becomes available.

Step 2: Export paperwork and health requirements

Before any horse can leave Europe, it must meet the export requirements of both the country it’s leaving and the country it’s entering.

This usually includes:

• veterinary health certificates
• export documentation
• identification paperwork
• passport verification
• blood tests, if required

Most shipping companies handle these administrative details for you, but it’s still useful to understand what’s happening behind the scenes.

Step 3: Pre-export quarantine

Depending on the destination country, your horse may spend several days at a quarantine facility before flying.

During this time, veterinarians monitor the horse’s health and complete any final paperwork required for export.

While “quarantine” sounds intimidating, it’s simply part of the international transport process and is completely routine.

Step 4: The flight

Most horses travel surprisingly well.

They’re transported in specially designed air stalls with experienced horse handlers accompanying them throughout the journey.

The horses are monitored, watered and cared for during the flight, and reputable shipping companies prioritize their welfare throughout the trip.

Many first-time buyers imagine flying is the most stressful part.

In reality, the logistics before and after the flight are often the more complicated pieces of the process.

Step 5: Arrival and import procedures

Once the plane lands, the horse doesn’t immediately head to your barn.

Depending on your country’s import requirements, there may be customs inspections, veterinary checks and additional paperwork before the horse can leave the airport.

Some countries also require a short post-arrival quarantine period.

Your shipping company will usually coordinate this and keep you updated throughout the process.

Step 6: The journey home

After all import requirements have been completed, the horse is loaded onto a truck for the final journey to its new home.

This is often the moment buyers have been waiting months for.

Seeing the truck pull into the driveway with your new horse on board is one of the most exciting parts of the entire experience.

Give your horse time to settle

It’s tempting to climb straight into the saddle.

Try not to.

Your horse has just experienced a major change.

New country.

New stable.

New people.

New feed.

New routine.

Some horses settle within a day or two.

Others take several weeks before they truly relax.

Give them time.

Stick to a consistent routine.

Turn them out if appropriate.

Let them learn that this is now home.

The first few weeks aren’t about seeing what the horse can do.

They’re about helping it adjust.

A successful import isn’t just about getting the horse home

Importing a horse can feel overwhelming the first time you do it.

There are flights to organize, paperwork to complete, transport companies to coordinate and countless details to keep track of.

But once you understand the process, it’s surprisingly straightforward.

The key is planning ahead, working with reputable professionals and remembering that the horse’s welfare should always come first.

Because at the end of all the paperwork, phone calls and waiting…

You’re not just importing a horse.

You’re welcoming a new partner.