Buy Horses in Netherlands

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

If you love performance horses, the Netherlands is one of those places that quickly gets under your skin. For such a small country, it has an outsized influence on the international horse world, especially in sport horses. You feel it everywhere: from local riding schools with long waiting lists, to professional yards that quietly produce horses competing at the very top of dressage, jumping, and eventing.

The Dutch equestrian culture is practical, organized, and very sport-focused. The KWPN is the dominant studbook, but you’ll also find good German bloodlines, pony breeds like Welsh and New Forest, and a strong tradition in harness horses and Friesians. Show jumping and dressage are the big drivers of the horse market in the Netherlands, with eventing and recreational riding close behind. Because the country is compact and very well connected, it’s possible to view several horses in a single day, often within an hour’s drive of each other.

What makes buying or selling horses in the Netherlands unique is the combination of quality, transparency, and volume. There is a steady flow of young horses coming from breeders, professional traders, and riders who bring on horses for sale. You’ll find everything from €4,000 young prospects straight from the field to €200,000+ Grand Prix horses, all within the same general marketplace. The community is relatively small and reputation matters; word travels fast, which tends to keep the market fairly honest compared to some other countries. For an international buyer or seller, that mix of professionalism and accessibility is what makes the Dutch horse market so attractive.

Buying horses in Netherlands – what you need to know

As a buyer, the Netherlands offers a dense concentration of quality horses. For dressage and jumping, the choice is excellent: well-bred 3-year-olds usually start around €8,000–€15,000 for an unproven but correctly moving or jumping youngster, going up to €25,000–€40,000 for a well-started 4–5-year-old with show results. Amateur-friendly schoolmasters for dressage or jumping typically sit between €30,000 and €80,000 depending on age, mileage, and temperament, while serious international prospects can easily exceed €100,000. Recreational horses and allrounders can still be found from about €5,000–€10,000, though prices have risen in recent years.

Most buyers start online. Dutch platforms like Sporthorses, Horses.nl, and Dutch dealers’ own websites are popular places to look for horses for sale in the Netherlands, and social media is heavily used. Professional traders often have more horses than they advertise, so if you like the style of a stable, it’s worth sending a message and asking what else they have. Viewing days are usually efficient: you watch the horse on the lunge and under saddle, and you’re often welcome to ride, as long as you’re honest about your level. For youngsters, especially 3-year-olds, it’s common they may have only a few weeks under saddle.

Pre-purchase vetting is taken seriously. Dutch vets are used to international buyers and will provide full reports in English, including X-rays sent by email or via a link. A standard clinical exam with basic X-rays (about 18–20 images) often costs between €350 and €600, with extensive sets going up to €800–€1,000. For export, most buyers request at least standard X-rays of feet, fetlocks, hocks, and stifles. Don’t be surprised if a horse has a previous X-ray set; in the Netherlands, horses are often imaged young. Have your own vet review the images before you finalize the purchase.

For international buyers, transport and paperwork are straightforward. Within the EU, you mainly need a valid passport and correct ownership details. For the UK, USA, and other non-EU countries, you’ll need health certificates, Coggins tests where applicable, and possibly quarantine on arrival. Professional Dutch transporters handle most of this for you and will give you a full quote before you commit; within Europe, expect roughly €600–€1,500 for transport, and for overseas flights to the US you’re typically in the €6,000–€10,000 range door-to-door, depending on destination. The usual Dutch buying process is a verbal agreement, followed by vetting, then payment and a simple contract. Always insist on a written agreement that specifies price, what’s included (tack, blankets, commission), and any special conditions. Take your time, ask direct questions, and don’t be shy about walking away if something doesn’t feel right; in this market, there is always another suitable horse around the corner.

Everything about selling horses in Netherlands

If you’re selling horses in the Netherlands, your buyers can come from almost anywhere. Dutch amateur riders, riding schools, and professionals make up a strong domestic base, but a large share of horses for sale in the Netherlands end up abroad, particularly in Germany, Belgium, Scandinavia, the UK, and North America. The country has built a reputation for producing rideable, trainable sport horses, so international buyers actively search the Dutch market for their next partner.

To stand out, you need clear presentation and honest information. Good video is essential: walk, trot, canter on both reins, transitions, and for jumpers, a simple line or small course in a normal arena. Buyers in this market expect to see horses ridden in a correct, sympathetic way; over-produced or over-pressed young horses are a red flag. Clean, recent X-rays are a major asset when selling, especially for horses priced above €15,000. Having them ready saves everyone time and reassures foreign buyers who are purchasing from a distance.

Pricing in the Netherlands is quite rational and closely tied to age, pedigree, performance, and rideability. A talented but sharp 6-year-old might be worth less than a slightly less flashy, easy amateur horse. Be realistic about where your horse sits. Study similar horses on Dutch sales platforms and ask trusted trainers or dealers for a second opinion. Remember that professional traders need margin; if you sell through a dealer, expect a commission or a lower net price. Peak selling periods are late winter to early summer, when riders are preparing for the season and when international buyers often plan shopping trips. Late autumn can be slower, although serious buyers still shop year-round.

As a seller, be prepared for buyers to bring their own trainer, to request trial rides, and to arrange an independent vetting. Dutch custom is straightforward: the buyer pays for vetting and transport, the seller provides access to the horse and full disclosure of known issues. Have the passport ready, vaccinations up to date, and competition records printed or easily accessible online. For horses likely to be exported, mention any quirks that could affect transport or quarantine, such as stable vices or medication history. In this market, clarity builds trust, and trust is what leads to repeat clients and word-of-mouth recommendations. If you communicate openly, price sensibly, and present your horse professionally, the Netherlands offers one of the best global stages to sell quality horses.