Buy Horses in Bulgaria

Horses for sale in Bulgaria: Buying and selling horses in Bulgaria

One of the first things that strikes people about the horse market in Bulgaria is the mix of old-world horsemanship and very modern sport ambitions. You’ll see a small village yard with a local draft cross standing just a few kilometers from a competition yard producing warmbloods jumping 1.40m. That contrast is exactly what makes buying and selling horses in Bulgaria so interesting – and, when you know the system, very good value.

Bulgaria has a long equestrian tradition, especially in driving, endurance, and agricultural work, but over the last 10–15 years the focus has shifted strongly toward show jumping, dressage, and recreational riding. You’ll find Bulgarian warmbloods, Trakehners, Hanoverian and Holsteiner lines, as well as hardy native types like the Karakachan and Balkan horses, plus plenty of crossbreds. The sport scene is centered around Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna, with active clubs and regular national competitions that give you a real opportunity to see horses under saddle before you buy.

The market itself is relatively small compared to Western Europe, but that’s an advantage if you’re willing to do your homework. Prices are generally lower than in Germany, the Netherlands, or France for similar quality, partly because local purchasing power is lower and many breeders are still building their reputations. Whether you’re buying or selling, you’re operating in a community where word-of-mouth still matters, relationships count, and a lot of the best horses never appear on the big international platforms. Once you understand how Bulgarians typically structure deals, you can navigate the system confidently and find very good horses for fair money.

Buying horses in Bulgaria - what you need to know

From a buyer’s perspective, Bulgaria is attractive for three main reasons: price, variety, and increasingly solid training. For amateur riders, you can find reliable schoolmasters and all-rounders from about 4,000–7,000 EUR, depending on age and soundness. Young warmbloods with potential for 1.20–1.30m jumping often fall in the 7,000–15,000 EUR range, and only the well-proven 1.40m+ or FEI-level horses push into the 20,000–40,000 EUR bracket and above. For that budget in Western Europe, you’d often be looking at greener or less competitive horses.

Most buyers start their search online. In Bulgaria, people use local Facebook groups (in both Bulgarian and English), OLX.bg, and specialized equestrian pages, plus broader European horse-sale sites where some professional yards advertise. Dealers and trainers often know of horses before they’re advertised, so if you can, spend a week visiting yards around Sofia, Plovdiv, and Stara Zagora, and let local trainers know what you’re looking for. There are small auctions and breeding presentations, but the dominant method is still private sale via stable networks, not big public auctions.

If you’re an international buyer, you’ll want to factor in transport, import regulations, and paperwork early on. Bulgaria is in the EU, so moving a horse to another EU country is relatively straightforward: you’ll need an EU passport, microchip, ownership transfer, and a health certificate issued shortly before departure. For the UK, Middle East, or elsewhere, you’ll need to work with an experienced transport company familiar with quarantine and customs procedures; many Bulgarian yards already cooperate with such shippers. Always insist on a pre-purchase veterinary examination. In Bulgaria, a basic vetting with flexion tests and trot-up might cost around 80–150 EUR, while a more detailed exam with X-rays typically runs 250–500 EUR depending on the number of views. It’s common for the buyer to pay, and it’s perfectly acceptable to bring your own vet or request images to be reviewed by a vet in your home country.

Like everywhere, price is influenced by pedigree, competition record, age, and rideability, but in Bulgaria, the name of the breeder or trainer can make a particularly big difference. Horses coming out of the better-known sport stables near Sofia or from riders regularly on the national team will command higher prices and sell faster. When you try horses, don’t be shy about asking to see them in different environments: in the arena, outside the arena, and, if appropriate, at a local show. Many sellers are flexible if you communicate clearly and respectfully. Watch for incomplete paperwork, vague medical histories, and horses with very limited experience outside their home arena; these can be manageable issues but should be reflected in the price and your expectations.

Everything about selling horses in Bulgaria

On the selling side, your potential buyers are a mix of local riders, regional buyers from Romania, Greece, and North Macedonia, and increasingly international clients from Western Europe and the Middle East looking for good-value sport horses. Bulgaria has gained a quiet reputation for solid jumpers and endurance horses at realistic prices, so if your horse is sound, correctly produced, and honestly represented, there is a market for it.

To sell successfully in Bulgaria, presentation matters more than fancy wording. Buyers expect clear videos: walk, trot, and canter on both reins, a simple flatwork clip, and, for jumpers, a short course at a realistic height. Photos should show the horse clean, braided if appropriate, and in a decent arena or paddock. Detailed information on height, age, pedigree, competition record, vices, and any known vet history is essential. Most sellers advertise on Bulgarian Facebook groups and OLX.bg, and professionals also list on larger European sales sites and use Instagram and TikTok to reach foreign buyers. If you’re targeting higher-end international clients, working with a reputable trainer or dealer who already exports can speed things up and help with negotiation and logistics.

Pricing horses for sale in Bulgaria requires a balance between local realities and international comparisons. A nicely going amateur dressage horse schooling around Medium level might realistically be priced between 8,000–15,000 EUR domestically, while a clean, scopey 1.30m jumper with results could sit in the 15,000–25,000 EUR bracket, depending on age and rideability. If you push your price too close to Western European levels without the record or name recognition to back it up, the horse will simply sit unsold. Seasonal timing also plays a role: spring and early summer, before and at the start of the outdoor season, are usually the best months for both buying and selling, while deep winter can be slower except for very attractively priced horses.

Buyers in Bulgaria increasingly expect transparency, trial rides over more than one day for higher-priced horses, and straightforward contracts. A simple written agreement outlining price, what is included (tack, transport arrangements, trial period if any), and vetting conditions is becoming standard practice, especially when foreign money is involved. If you’re selling to international buyers, be prepared to help coordinate vettings, provide X-rays, and assist with arranging export papers and transport quotes. The more organized you are, the more confident buyers will feel, and the smoother your sale will go. In this market, honest communication and realistic pricing will do more for you than any glossy marketing phrase ever could.