Buy Horses in Romania

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

Romania’s horse market has a particular charm that surprises many international riders: you still find genuine horsemanship rooted in rural tradition, alongside a fast-developing sport horse scene. You’ll see hardy working horses in small villages a short drive from modern riding clubs with arenas full of warmbloods jumping 1.30m. That contrast is exactly what makes buying and selling horses in Romania so interesting – you get access to a wide range of horses, from affordable leisure partners to competition prospects with serious potential.

The country has a long equestrian history, and you feel it everywhere. Native breeds like the Hucul (a small, tough mountain horse) and the Gidran have been joined over the years by imported warmblood lines from Germany, the Netherlands, and Hungary. Show jumping is the most visible sport, followed by dressage, eventing, endurance, and classical riding in the Lipizzaner tradition. The organized sport community is still smaller than in Western Europe, but it’s growing steadily, and that growth is driving better breeding and more professional horse trading.

Romania’s horse market is still relatively young in commercial terms, which means prices are often lower than in Western Europe for equivalent quality. At the same time, you need to know where to look, how the local customs work, and how to evaluate what you’re seeing. Whether you’re a Romanian rider looking to sell a horse at the right price, or an international buyer interested in horses for sale in Romania, understanding the culture, paperwork, and realistic price ranges will make the experience much smoother – and usually more rewarding.

Buying horses in Romania - what you need to know

If you’re buying a horse in Romania, the first pleasant surprise is usually the price-quality ratio. Young warmbloods suitable for amateur dressage or jumping at 1.10–1.20m often range from about 4,000 to 8,000 EUR, depending on age, training, and pedigree. Well-produced competition horses with show records at 1.30–1.40m might be in the 10,000–25,000 EUR range, which is still often below Western European prices. Native breeds like Huculs or mixed-breed leisure horses can be significantly cheaper, from 1,500 to 4,000 EUR, especially if you’re willing to invest in training.

To actually find horses for sale in Romania, most people start online. Platforms like OLX.ro are widely used, along with Facebook groups dedicated to “vânzare cai” (horses for sale) and pages of local riding clubs. There are also a handful of professional dealers and trainers who regularly sell to foreign buyers; many speak English and are used to sending videos, x‑rays, and references. Traditional rural fairs and auctions still exist, but if you’re looking for sport or leisure horses rather than workhorses, you’re usually better off with sport stables and private sellers around major cities like Bucharest, Cluj, Timișoara, and Brașov.

The buying process is relatively straightforward but can feel a bit informal if you’re used to more regulated markets. You typically discuss the horse by phone or WhatsApp, visit to try it (often more than once, and preferably in different situations), then agree verbally on the price before a simple written contract. A pre-purchase veterinary exam is essential; in Romania, a basic vetting with clinical exam and flexion tests might cost 100–150 EUR, while a full exam with x‑rays can range from 250–500 EUR depending on the number of views. Serious sellers won’t object to you bringing your own independent vet, even if it means traveling from another city.

For international buyers, transport and paperwork are key. Romania is in the EU, so moving a horse to another EU country is relatively straightforward with an EU passport, microchip, and health certificate issued shortly before travel. Professional transport from Romania to Central Europe (for example, Austria or Germany) can range from 600 to 1,200 EUR per horse, depending on distance and whether you share a lorry. For the UK or non-EU destinations, you’ll need to factor in customs, blood tests, and possibly quarantine, so it’s worth working with a transport company that already knows Romanian export procedures. As in any market, watch for inconsistencies in the horse’s story, unclear ownership papers, and sellers reluctant to allow a vetting or to show videos of walk-trot-canter on a straight line.

Everything about selling horses in Romania

On the selling side, Romania is interesting because you have two parallel markets: domestic buyers and international buyers. Locally, many riders are looking for reasonably priced schoolmasters, children’s ponies, and solid all‑rounders for hacking and low-level competition. Internationally, buyers from Western Europe often come searching for younger warmbloods with scope, as well as endurance and trekking horses that are sound, sane, and used to varied terrain. If you’re selling a horse in Romania, it helps to be clear from the start which audience you’re targeting, because the way you present and price the horse will differ.

Presentation matters more than many Romanian sellers realize. Clean, well-fitted tack, recent farrier work, and good-quality photos and videos can add real value. Buyers expect to see walk, trot, and canter on both reins, plus jumping if relevant, ideally in good light with clear footing. Online, OLX.ro and Facebook remain the main marketplaces, but if you have a higher-level sport horse, connecting with trainers or dealers who already export can open doors to German, Austrian, Italian, or Scandinavian buyers. Prices need to reflect both Romanian conditions and international benchmarks: overpricing a green 5‑year‑old at 15,000 EUR without pedigree, x‑rays, or results will usually lead to a long, frustrating sale, whereas a fair 6,000–8,000 EUR for a nice amateur type will attract serious interest.

Timing can also make a difference. The most active months for selling sport and leisure horses in Romania are typically March to June and again September to early November, when people are planning their competition season or looking ahead to the next year. In the heat of midsummer and around Christmas–New Year, the market tends to slow down. If you’re dealing with international buyers, be prepared to provide full documentation: passport in the seller’s name, vaccination records, recent deworming, and, ideally, existing x‑rays and a written bill of sale. Transparency about any old injuries or quirks actually helps your reputation; word travels fast in the relatively small Romanian equestrian community, and reliable sellers quickly become go‑to contacts for serious buyers looking for horses in Romania.