Buy Horses in Sweden

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

What makes Sweden’s horse market so appealing is the mix of serious professionalism and down‑to‑earth horsemanship. You’ve got a strong riding culture, excellent infrastructure, and a reputation for sound, well-produced horses, but without the chaos and pressure you sometimes feel at the big hubs in Germany or the Netherlands. Sweden manages to be both highly competitive and surprisingly approachable for buyers and sellers.

The equestrian community here is big for the size of the country. Riding schools are everywhere, and disciplines like show jumping, dressage, and eventing are very well established. You’ll find well-bred Swedish Warmbloods competing at the top level, alongside reliable all‑rounders, ponies for riding schools, Icelandic horses for trail and leisure, and sturdy coldbloods and crosses used for driving and outdoor riding. That diversity shapes the horse market: there is demand for everything from 40,000 SEK family ponies to 1,000,000+ SEK international sport horses.

What makes buying or selling horses in Sweden unique is the combination of transparency, organization, and welfare standards. The Swedish Warmblood studbook is highly regarded, breeding records are carefully kept, and many horses are produced in a systematic way through riding schools and professional yards. At the same time, it’s a relatively small, well‑connected community. Word travels fast, reputations matter, and both buyers and sellers usually expect straightforward communication and well-documented histories. If you appreciate structure, honesty, and good horsemanship, Sweden is a very comfortable place to trade horses.

Buying horses in Sweden - what you need to know

If you’re looking to buy a horse in Sweden, you’ll notice quickly that the overall quality is high, especially in the Swedish Warmblood population. You’ll find a lot of correctly started young horses with good basics, because riding schools and professional riders put real emphasis on education, not just talent. For sport horses, prices for an unbacked but well-bred 3‑year‑old often start around 120,000–200,000 SEK, while an established 6–8‑year‑old jumping 1.20–1.30 or competing dressage at M‑level will commonly range between 250,000 and 600,000 SEK, depending on results, rideability, and vet findings. Good all‑rounders and leisure horses can be found from about 60,000–150,000 SEK, and children’s ponies with a safe record in riding schools are often in higher demand than many buyers expect.

Most people start their search online. The main Swedish marketplace for horses for sale is Hästnet, and you’ll also see many horses advertised via Facebook groups, Instagram accounts of professional yards, and breeder websites. There are also a few auctions, including young horse auctions linked to the Swedish Warmblood association, which can be interesting if you’re comfortable buying off limited trial opportunities. Viewing horses in Sweden is generally relaxed but organized: you’re expected to be on time, wear appropriate gear, and be honest about your experience level so the seller can present the horse safely and fairly.

For international buyers, Sweden is relatively straightforward. The country is within the EU, so if you’re buying from another EU member state, paperwork is simple: a valid passport, transfer of ownership, and commercial invoice are usually enough, plus transport arranged with a licensed haulier. For exports to the UK, North America, or elsewhere, you’ll need health certificates, possibly Coggins tests, and quarantine arrangements depending on destination. Many Swedish dealers and professional yards are used to handling export and can help coordinate transport and documentation. Pre‑purchase exams are taken seriously here; it’s normal to do at least a 2‑stage exam with x‑rays for sport prospects. Expect to pay around 6,000–15,000 SEK for a thorough vetting, depending on the number of images and clinic. If you’re buying from abroad, have the vet send you a full written report and radiographs, and don’t hesitate to involve your home vet for a second opinion. The horses that hold their value best in Sweden are those with clean vet records, documented training progress, competition results on TDB (the Swedish competition database), and a reputation for being rideable and sane. Take your time, ask for videos in different situations, check competition records, and remember: in Sweden, it’s not considered rude to ask detailed questions; it’s seen as being responsible.

Everything about selling horses in Sweden

On the selling side, Sweden has a healthy mix of domestic and international buyers. Swedish riders themselves buy a large share of the horses, particularly for national-level dressage, jumping, and eventing, but there is growing interest from buyers in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, the UK, and even the US for Swedish Warmbloods and reliable schoolmasters. The reputation of Swedish horses as well-schooled, well-managed, and generally correctly fed and stabled makes them attractive on the export market, especially for junior riders and ambitious amateurs.

To sell successfully in Sweden, presentation matters. Buyers expect clear, honest adverts: height measured correctly in centimeters, age, breeding, competition results, and any quirks or limitations spelled out. Good videos are essential – walk, trot, and canter on both reins, as well as jumping if relevant, and ideally hacking footage for all‑rounders. Clean, up‑to‑date photos, a tidy mane, and correct tack go a long way. Hästnet is still the main platform for selling horses in Sweden, but you should also use social media and networks through trainers, riding clubs, and breeders. For higher‑end sport horses, many sellers work via trusted agents or professional riders who already have international contacts.

Pricing in Sweden is quite rational, but you need to read the market. Prices rise in late summer and early autumn when riding schools and families look for new horses and ponies, and when competition riders plan for the next season. Winter can be slower, especially for horses that are difficult to show due to weather or lack of indoor facilities, while spring is good for young horses coming into work and backed 3‑year‑olds. When you set a price, consider not just breeding and talent, but also vet history, training level, and how “easy” the horse is to ride and handle. A slightly less spectacular mover that is safe, uncomplicated, and suitable for amateurs will often sell faster, and sometimes for more, than a sharper, more talented horse. International buyers usually expect full transparency, recent vet reports, and help with logistics. Be prepared to share x‑rays, arrange a new pre‑purchase exam with a neutral clinic, and coordinate with transport companies. In Sweden, buyers also appreciate trying the horse more than once and often bring their trainer; allowing that, within reason, signals that you have nothing to hide and helps you achieve a fair price and a good long-term match.