Buy Horses in Slovenia

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

For a relatively small country, Slovenia punches well above its weight when it comes to horses. You’ve got a strong mix of traditional breeding, modern sport ambitions, and some very practical, down-to-earth horse people. That combination makes the Slovenian horse market surprisingly interesting if you’re buying or selling, whether you’re based in Ljubljana, neighboring Austria or Italy, or flying in from further afield.

Slovenia’s best-known equestrian treasure is the Lipizzaner, with the famous stud at Lipica drawing visitors from around the world. But the everyday horse market is far more diverse. You’ll see warmbloods aimed at show jumping and dressage, hardy cold-bloods used for forestry and small-scale farming, and plenty of reliable all-rounders for recreational riding and trekking in the countryside. Show jumping is the strongest sport discipline, followed by dressage and endurance; western riding is still niche but growing slowly.

The market itself is relatively compact, which has pros and cons. On the one hand, you won’t find the sheer volume of horses you’d see in Germany or the Netherlands. On the other, the community is quite connected; people tend to know each other, reputations matter, and word-of-mouth still plays a big role in buying and selling horses in Slovenia. That makes it a place where you can often find good value and honest horses, if you take a bit of time to understand how things work locally and who the serious breeders, trainers, and dealers are.

Buying horses in Slovenia - what you need to know

From a buyer’s point of view, Slovenia is attractive because you can often get Central-European quality at slightly softer prices. Competition horses for show jumping up to around 120–130 cm are quite common, with prices for a solid amateur jumper typically ranging between 8,000 and 20,000 EUR depending on age, results, and rideability. Young, unproven 3–4-year-old warmbloods often start around 5,000–10,000 EUR, while well-schooled schoolmasters or successful 140+ horses can go from 25,000 EUR upward, especially if they have FEI results. Leisure horses and older school horses might sit in the 3,000–7,000 EUR range, unless they have special training or an exceptional temperament.

To actually find horses for sale in Slovenia, most people start online. Local classified sites and Facebook groups are very active, and you’ll also see Slovenian horses listed on broader European marketplaces. There are a few reputable dealers who regularly source from Slovenia and neighboring countries, and some studs and training yards sell directly. Auctions are less dominant than in Western Europe, but breeding farms occasionally organize sales events, especially for youngstock. If you’re not local, it’s often worth working with a trusted trainer or agent who knows the Slovenian scene; they can help you avoid wasted trips and arrange viewings in a sensible route rather than zig-zagging across the country.

The buying process itself is fairly straightforward. Once you’ve viewed the horse, a standard pre-purchase veterinary exam is the norm for anything above basic leisure level. Slovenian vets are used to doing PPEs for international buyers and will usually offer clinical exams with flexion tests and, if requested, X-rays of the standard joints (typically feet, fetlocks, hocks, sometimes stifles). Expect to pay roughly 250–600 EUR depending on the depth of the exam and number of X-rays. For overseas buyers, your home vet may want to review the images before you commit. Slovenia is in the EU, so transport within the EU is relatively uncomplicated; you’ll need a valid passport and up-to-date vaccinations, and established transport companies are familiar with the routes to Germany, Italy, Austria, and beyond. Non-EU buyers should factor in export certificates and quarantine rules, but again, local vets and transporters deal with this regularly.

As always when buying horses, in Slovenia or anywhere else, the key is to be clear about your level and goals. Don’t be seduced by a cheap price on a very green horse if you really need a forgiving partner. In the Slovenian market, temperament and rideability are big value drivers because many buyers are amateur riders. A horse that is easy to manage, with no known health issues, regular farrier and dentist history, and clean vet records will hold its price. Take the time to ride the horse more than once if possible, ask to see it in different situations (not just in a perfect schooling environment), and don’t hesitate to request videos, competition records, and copies of vet documents in advance.

Everything about selling horses in Slovenia

On the selling side, your buyers are a mix of local riders, regional amateurs from Italy, Austria, and Croatia, and international dealers looking for correctly produced young horses at reasonable prices. Slovenia is particularly interesting for foreign buyers seeking all-rounders, smaller jumpers, and sensible family horses, as well as for professionals hunting for promising young warmbloods to bring on. That means, as a seller, you’re not just competing in your own village; you’re effectively on a Central-European stage, especially once you advertise online in English.

Preparing a horse for sale in Slovenia follows the same logic as anywhere, but details matter even more in a compact market. Buyers expect clean, recent photos and honest videos showing walk, trot, canter, transitions, and, for jumpers, a simple course at the height claimed in the ad. A tidy mane, well-fitted tack, and a rider who presents the horse calmly make a big difference. Many Slovenian sellers now include basic health information in the advert: shoeing schedule, known issues, vaccination status, and whether X-rays exist. For sport horses, links to competition results from local or FEI shows help international buyers verify performance without relying on stories.

When it comes to pricing, you’ll need to be realistic about where Slovenia sits in the European market. Top international-level horses will fetch more money in Germany or Belgium, but for mid-range and amateur horses, Slovenia can be very competitive. Overpricing a horse relative to similar Slovenian or Croatian listings usually leads to it sitting unsold for months. A good strategy is to look at comparable horses advertised in Slovenia and nearby countries and position your price slightly below Western European levels but in line with local quality and results. If you’re open to export, make that clear in your ad: mention that you’re experienced with international buyers, that the horse has a valid EU passport, and that you can help coordinate vet checks and transport.

For marketing, online platforms and social media are essential. Many successful sellers in Slovenia post in both Slovene and English to reach a wider audience. Short, clear descriptions work better than grand claims; buyers want to know age, height, breed, experience, temperament, and any quirks. The best time to sell sport horses is usually spring to early summer, when competition seasons are starting and people are motivated to buy. Leisure horses can move year-round, but you may find more inquiries as the weather improves and riding schools and trekking centers look to update their string.

Above all, Slovenian buyers and visiting foreign buyers appreciate transparency. Be upfront about any limitations, past injuries, or special management needs. A horse that turns out to be exactly what you described will do more for your reputation in the Slovenian horse market than any amount of fancy advertising, and that reputation is what keeps serious buyers coming back to you, year after year.