Buy Horses in Norway

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

What I love about the horse market in Norway is how seriously people take both welfare and honesty; it’s a small enough equestrian community that your reputation as a buyer or seller really matters. When you look at horses for sale in Norway, you’re not just browsing a marketplace – you’re stepping into a tightly knit culture where Norwegian cold-blooded trotters, sturdy mountain ponies, quality warmbloods, and imported sport horses all share the same landscape of fjords, snow, and well-run riding clubs.

Norway has a strong tradition in harness racing and outdoor riding, but in the last 10–15 years I’ve seen a steady rise in serious dressage and showjumping, especially around Oslo, Stavanger, Bergen, and the Trøndelag region. You’ll find everything from family-friendly Norwegian Fjord horses used for trekking and riding schools, to Dutch and German warmbloods competing at national level. The market isn’t as large as in Germany or the Netherlands, but the horses that reach the open market in Norway are often well handled, correctly fed, and used to tough climate and varied terrain.

Buying or selling a horse in Norway is unique because of the combination of high living costs and relatively high welfare standards. Keeping a horse is expensive – board around bigger cities can easily reach 4,000–7,000 NOK per month – and that influences prices and expectations. At the same time, Norwegians tend to be straightforward in their descriptions; if a horse is “varm” (hot) or “krever erfaren rytter” (requires an experienced rider), they usually mean it. For an international buyer or a Norwegian owner looking to sell, it can be a very fair and transparent market if you understand how things work locally.

Buying horses in Norway – what you need to know

As a buyer, Norway can be very attractive, especially if you’re looking for hardy, reliable riding horses, Fjord horses, or well-schooled amateur sport horses. Prices for allround riding horses typically start around 50,000–70,000 NOK for a safe but basic horse, and go up to 120,000–180,000 NOK for a nice amateur dressage or jumping horse with some results. Competition horses with solid national-level records can run from 200,000 NOK up to 400,000–600,000 NOK, depending on age, pedigree, and results. You’ll sometimes find cheaper youngsters in more rural areas, especially in western and northern Norway, but they may be greener in their education.

To actually find horses for sale in Norway, most people start online. Finn.no is the big general marketplace where many private owners advertise. You’ll also see horses on Facebook groups dedicated to “Hester til salgs i Norge” and regional sales pages, plus individual dealer and stud farm websites. Viewing horses often involves a fair bit of driving; it’s normal to travel several hours for a good match. Norwegians appreciate punctuality and clear communication, so confirm appointments and be upfront about your level and budget. If you’re coming from abroad, try to group several viewings into one trip – many serious sellers are used to foreign buyers, especially around Oslo and in racing and trotting circles.

For international buyers, import from Norway is relatively straightforward as it’s within the EEA/Schengen veterinary system, but you still need proper health certificates, Coggins test where required by your home country, and transport arrangements. Professional horse transporters regularly run from Norway to mainland Europe via Sweden and Denmark, and from there on to Germany, the Netherlands, or further south. Budget roughly 15,000–30,000 NOK for transport into central Europe, depending on distance and whether you opt for shared or private transport.

Pre-purchase examinations in Norway are usually thorough. Most serious buyers order a veterinary check with at least basic flexion tests and x‑rays of front feet and hocks; for higher-value horses, stifles and back are often included. Prices for a full vetting with standard x‑rays typically range from 8,000 to 15,000 NOK. It’s common – and accepted – for buyers to bring their own vet or request an independent clinic. Written vet reports and digital x‑rays can easily be shared with your home vet if you’re buying from abroad. As in any country, be cautious of vague histories, missing vaccination records, or sellers who resist a vet check; in Norway, that’s a red flag, because transparent vetting is standard practice.

If you want to buy well in Norway, be realistic about prices and focus on suitability over pedigree. A modestly bred, well-hacked horse that’s safe on slippery winter roads is often worth more in practice than a fancy name that’s never seen a hill. Ask about winter shoeing, turnout routines, and how the horse handles indoor versus outdoor arenas – Norwegian horses often have a lot of outdoor experience, but some are less used to busy show environments. The best deals usually come from private owners who have outgrown a horse or are moving up a level and are keen to place their horse in the right home.

Everything about selling horses in Norway

On the selling side, Norway is interesting because you’re not only selling to local riders; you’re also on the radar of international buyers looking for reliable amateur horses, Fjord horses, and nicely trained youngsters. I regularly see buyers from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and even the UK looking specifically at Norwegian horses for their toughness, good basic training, and clear documentation. Domestically, your main buyer groups are riding-school graduates moving to their first own horse, adult amateurs wanting a safe partner for hacking and low-level competition, and more ambitious riders searching for young prospects with clean vettings.

To sell well in Norway, presentation matters. Good, clear photos on a level surface, a straightforward video showing walk, trot, and canter on both reins, plus some jumping or hacking footage, go a long way. Many buyers expect to see the horse ridden both by the owner and by a different rider if possible. Clean tack, tidy turnout, and an honest description in Norwegian or English (or both) will help you reach more people. Finn.no remains the primary online sales platform, but Facebook groups and Instagram are powerful tools for spreading the word. Professional dealers and trainers, especially around the big cities, can also take horses on commission and already have a network of buyers.

Pricing horses for sale in Norway means balancing your expectations with what the market will actually pay. Young, unbroken horses with good pedigrees might be in the 30,000–70,000 NOK range, while safe, older schoolmasters often sell faster even at 80,000–120,000 NOK because they suit the large amateur market. Competition horses with results can go much higher, but buyers in Norway are careful; they expect to see documented show records, vaccination history, and clear disclosure of any known issues. If you’re aiming at international buyers, be prepared to assist with export documentation, coordinate vetting at a clinic familiar with export requirements, and be flexible with timing to match transport schedules.

Timing your sale in Norway can also make a difference. Spring and early autumn are the strongest periods for selling, when riders are planning the competition season or looking ahead to winter training. Deep winter can be slower, especially if outdoor viewing conditions are poor, although serious competition buyers will still be active. Whatever the season, honesty is your best marketing tool here. Norwegian and international buyers alike expect full transparency on health, vices, and training level. Provide recent x‑rays if you have them, be upfront about any maintenance, and you’ll not only sell faster, but protect your reputation in a small, well-connected horse world.