Buying a horse in the Netherlands from Scandinavia: here's how

For buyers from Sweden and Denmark, the Netherlands is a logical destination: a large supply in one place, short distances between stables, and sellers accustomed to international buyers. Furthermore, within the EU, no customs import is needed; however, animal and health regulations do apply. This is the sequence that works best in practice.

1. Define your search profile concretely

Beforehand, put on paper: discipline, your current level, ambition for two years from now, desired age, minimum and maximum height, and your total budget including vetting and transport. The sharper this profile, the fewer trips you'll need to make.

2. Select remotely, but strictly

Always ask for:

• —a recent video under saddle, preferably from a competition or regular training, not just an edited montage;
• —pedigree and available results;
• —existing X-rays if available, with the date;
• —an honest answer to the question of what the horse isn't.

A video call where the seller shows the horse live surprisingly filters out a lot before you book a ticket.

3. Plan one trip for multiple horses

The Netherlands is small: in two days, you can see six to eight horses located within an hour and a half's drive of each other. Plan your viewings in geographical order and allow time to ride a horse you like a second time on the same trip.

4. The pre-purchase examination (vetting)

The vetting takes place where the horse is located, i.e., in the Netherlands. Commission an independent veterinarian or clinic yourself, so the report belongs to you. Request the images digitally so your own veterinarian in Sweden or Denmark can review them before you decide. Consider a full X-ray series appropriate for your ambitions, also with a view to a potential resale later.

5. Payment and paperwork

Arrange a written purchase agreement detailing the price, payment moment, moment of ownership transfer, what was discussed about the vetting, and who organizes the transport. Ensure the passport and ownership certificate are transferred to your name at the relevant studbook.

6. Transport

Transport within the EU typically occurs via a specialized transporter, with a journey of approximately one to two days to Southern Scandinavia, depending on the final destination and route. Transport requires, among other things, a valid passport and a health certificate; the carrier will tell you exactly which documents they need.

Important: Avante does not organize transport, import, or customs paperwork itself. You arrange this directly with the seller and the transporter. We connect buyer and seller and facilitate smooth communication.

7. After arrival

Give the horse rest. Allow several weeks for the horse to adjust to a different climate, different feed, and a different routine. Only assess the horse's performance after this period, and build up training gradually.

Common mistakes

• —Traveling for a horse you've only seen in an edited video.
• —Having the vetting performed by the seller's veterinarian.
• —Only budgeting for the purchase price and forgetting vetting, transport, and insurance.
• —Deciding under time pressure because "there's another buyer." There's always a next horse.

View our current selection and filter by discipline, level, and price range, or let us conduct a targeted search within our network of Dutch breeders and stables.