Buy Horses in Malta

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

What makes Malta’s horse market distinctive is how much activity is packed into such a small island. You’ve got a dense, very social equestrian community where everyone seems to know everyone else’s horses, and yet there’s a steady flow of animals in and out for racing, riding, and breeding. If you’re used to big mainland markets, Malta can feel surprisingly active for its size, with a mix of local traditions and strong international influence, especially from Italy and other parts of Europe.

Historically, Malta’s equestrian scene has been shaped by harness racing and working horses, and you still see that in the strong trotting culture at the Marsa track. Standardbreds and trotters are common, alongside a good number of Thoroughbreds and crossbreds for flat racing and riding. Over the last 10–15 years, I’ve seen more people in Malta looking for all-round riding horses, schoolmasters for children, and a smaller but growing interest in show jumping and dressage, often with imported Warmbloods or quality Italian and Sicilian horses. Ponies for children are in steady demand, but the supply is limited, so those tend to change hands quickly when priced fairly.

The horse market in Malta is relatively compact, but that’s also its charm. When you’re buying or selling horses in Malta, word travels fast—good and bad. You’re dealing with short distances, familiar vets, and a community where reputation matters. That can work in your favour if you’re honest, realistic about prices, and clear about what a horse can and can’t do. Whether you’re a local rider moving up from a first pony or an international buyer looking at horses for sale in Malta for racing, competition, or leisure, understanding this close-knit environment is the key to making good decisions.

Buying horses in Malta - what you need to know

From a buyer’s point of view, Malta is attractive because you get access to horses that have often been regularly worked, seen plenty of activity, and are kept in a very practical, no-nonsense way. For riding horses, you’ll mostly find Thoroughbred crosses, Standardbred crosses, and imported Italians in the €3,000–€8,000 range, depending on training, temperament, and competition experience. Well-schooled jumpers or dressage horses, especially imported Warmbloods, usually start around €8,000 and can go up to €20,000 or more if they have solid results. Racehorses and trotters vary widely, but a useful, sound trotter for local racing can run from about €4,000 to €15,000 depending on age, record, and pedigree.

In terms of finding horses, most buyers start on social media groups focused on horses for sale in Malta, local classifieds, and regional online marketplaces used across the central Mediterranean. You’ll also find horses through racing connections at Marsa, riding schools, and dealers who regularly import from Italy and Sicily. Because the island is small, it’s easy to see several horses in a day, and you can usually speak directly to the person who rides or trains the horse. When you arrange viewings, try to see the horse both in the stable and under saddle or in harness, and don’t be shy about asking to handle the horse yourself—tacking up, loading, and leading are often more revealing than a polished show of five fancy minutes in the arena.

If you’re buying from abroad, the process is fairly straightforward but you do need to plan for transport and paperwork. Horses leaving Malta for EU countries follow standard EU health and transport rules: up-to-date vaccinations, a valid passport, microchip, Coggins test if required by the destination, and a veterinary health certificate issued shortly before travel. Transport to Sicily or mainland Italy is usually by lorry and ferry, then onwards by road, and you should factor in roughly €1,000–€2,500 for transport within Europe depending on distance and whether you’re sharing a lorry or booking private. A pre-purchase vetting is normal and strongly recommended; in Malta, a standard clinical exam with flexion tests often costs in the €200–€300 range, and adding X-rays can take it to €400–€800 depending on how detailed you go.

As in any market, price is influenced by age, soundness, temperament, discipline, and results, but in Malta there’s also a “network value” to a horse: a horse that’s known locally as safe, honest, and easy to manage will sell faster and closer to asking price. Be wary of vague descriptions like “needs a strong rider” or “just needs more work” without clear explanations. Ask to see the horse in different situations—ridden in company, perhaps on the road if that’s how you intend to use it—and don’t rush because “someone else is coming in an hour.” The best purchases happen when you take the time to vet properly, confirm ownership and papers, and have a clear agreement in writing on what exactly you’re buying.

Everything about selling horses in Malta

On the selling side, you’re usually dealing with two main buyer groups: local riders or racers looking for their next horse within Malta, and international buyers who see Malta as a source of reasonably priced, well-used horses, especially trotters and straightforward riding horses. Italians, Sicilians, and occasionally buyers from central Europe look at horses in Malta when they’re seeking value and are willing to manage transport and import steps themselves. If your horse has a strong race record or a calm, amateur-friendly temperament, you’ll find that news spreads quickly through the local network and beyond.

To present a horse well in Malta’s market, you need to be more thorough than “horse for sale, good condition.” Buyers expect clear photos in good light, honest videos showing walk, trot, canter or a full workout in harness, transitions, and, if relevant, jumping or racing. Clean tack, a well-groomed horse, and a tidy stable say as much as any description. Be upfront about any issues: old injuries, vices, or limitations. It may affect your price, but it protects your reputation, and on a small island that’s worth more than squeezing out a few extra hundred euro on a single sale. For most average riding horses, realistic prices in Malta sit between €3,000 and €7,000. A genuinely safe schoolmaster, even if older, can still command €6,000–€10,000 if it’s sound and suitable for a nervous or novice rider. Racehorses and trotters with strong recent form will be priced according to earnings potential rather than just age and conformation, so you can see figures from €8,000 into the high teens for proven winners.

When you advertise, focus on the channels your ideal buyer actually uses: local Facebook groups for horses for sale in Malta, WhatsApp networks through trainers and riding schools, and where relevant, connections with Italian or European dealers who already move horses between Malta and the mainland. Timing matters: the local market tends to be livelier in the cooler months, from late autumn through spring, when training and riding are more comfortable and new owners are planning for the season ahead. If you’re selling to an international buyer, be prepared to help with export details: make sure papers are in order, passport and microchip match, vaccinations are current, and vet visits can be arranged on a clear schedule. Buyers appreciate sellers who are organised, responsive, and willing to provide extra videos or information, and those are the horses that tend to sell fastest and at the best prices in Malta’s close-knit, word-of-mouth-driven marketplace.