Buy Horses in Croatia

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

What makes the Croatian horse market so interesting is the blend of old-world horsemanship and a fast-developing sport scene. You have traditional breeders in rural Slavonia still working with native breeds, and just a few hours away you’ll find modern sport stables near Zagreb and along the coast catering to show jumping, dressage, and recreational riders from all over Europe. It’s a small market, but very active, and that creates good opportunities for both buying and selling horses in Croatia.

Croatia’s equestrian culture is rooted in working horses and cavalry traditions, with breeds like the Croatian Warmblood, Lipizzaner, and the hardy Posavina and Međimurje draught horses still playing a role. In the sport world, you’ll mostly see Croatian Warmbloods, imported Hanoverians, Holsteiners, and other European sport lines, plus a growing number of Iberian horses for dressage and leisure riding. The show scene is centered around Zagreb, with notable activity in Istria and Dalmatia, especially in the warmer months when foreign riders like to combine holidays with viewing horses.

Because the country is relatively small, the horse community is tight-knit. Word travels fast, both good and bad. That means reputation matters for traders, trainers, and private sellers, and it’s one reason buyers can often get very honest, straightforward information if they know how to ask the right questions. Prices are generally lower than in Western Europe for comparable quality, but the top competition horses are now approaching Central European price levels. For anyone involved in buying or selling horses in Croatia, it’s a market where relationships, patience, and a bit of local knowledge go a long way.

Buying horses in Croatia – what you need to know

As a buyer, one of the big attractions of Croatia is value for money. For an amateur all‑rounder or a young sport prospect, you can often find horses 20–30% cheaper than in Germany, Austria, or Italy. A reliable recreational horse for hacking and small local shows will often range between 3,000 and 7,000 EUR, depending on age, training, and temperament. Young sport horses with decent breeding and basic schooling typically start around 6,000–10,000 EUR, while proven competition horses with results at 120–130 cm or equivalent dressage levels can go from 15,000 up to 40,000 EUR and beyond for something truly competitive in FEI classes.

Most people start looking for horses for sale in Croatia through online platforms and social media. Facebook groups in Croatian and English are very active, and many trainers and dealers advertise on regional classified sites and specialized equestrian portals. Because not every good horse is advertised publicly, contacting riding clubs, competition stables, and well-known dealers around Zagreb, Varaždin, and Istria can uncover horses that are “for sale if the right buyer appears.” Viewing trips usually involve visiting several yards in a region and trying multiple horses in one or two days; owners are generally flexible if you plan ahead.

For international buyers, the process is straightforward, but you do need to be organized. Croatia is in the EU, so movements within the Union are easier: you’ll need an EU passport for the horse, a valid vaccination record, and a health certificate from the official vet. For buyers from outside the EU or the UK, factor in quarantine or import requirements at home. Professional horse transporters from Croatia regularly drive to Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and the Benelux region; typical international transport within Central Europe will run anywhere from 600 to 1,500 EUR depending on distance and type of service.

Pre‑purchase exams (“veterinarski pregled”) are standard practice, especially for sport horses. Many Croatian vets are used to working with international buyers and can provide reports and X‑rays in English. A basic clinical exam might cost around 120–200 EUR, while a full vetting with 12–18 X‑rays can range from 300–600 EUR. As in any market, take your own trusted advisor or trainer if you can, ask to see the horse in different environments (not just in the arena), and don’t be shy about checking competition records through the Croatian equestrian federation. Most problems arise not from dishonesty, but from misunderstandings about the horse’s level, soundness history, or temperament, so clear communication is key.

Everything about selling horses in Croatia

On the selling side, Croatia has two main groups of buyers: domestic riders looking for affordable, versatile horses, and international buyers seeking young sport prospects and reasonably priced competition horses. Riders from Italy, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany increasingly look to Croatia for horses with good movement and jumping ability at prices that are still competitive, especially in the 5,000–20,000 EUR bracket.

If you’re selling a horse in Croatia, preparation matters more than fancy advertising. Buyers expect up-to-date videos showing walk, trot, and canter in both directions, a clear jumping video if relevant, and ideally some footage outside the arena. Clean, recent photos and honest descriptions in both Croatian and English will significantly widen your audience. Mention height, age, breeding, level of training, competition results, any known issues, and your asking price. Leaving out the price often puts off serious buyers in this market.

Online marketplaces, Facebook groups, and word of mouth through trainers and riding clubs are the main channels for selling. Auctions are still limited in Croatia and mostly local, so most sport and leisure horses change hands privately or via dealers. Pricing needs to reflect local conditions: a nice but green 4‑year‑old Croatian Warmblood might be realistic at 6,000–8,000 EUR domestically, while something similar with good free jumping and vetting done could attract 10,000–15,000 EUR or more from a foreign buyer. Horses with proven records at national shows can command stronger prices, especially if they are rideable by amateurs.

If you want to attract international buyers, be ready with documentation: passport, vaccination records, ownership details, and any previous vet reports. Buyers will often ask for additional videos, live calls, and sometimes a trial ride over two days. Many will send their own vet or request X‑rays from a clinic they trust. Being open, flexible with scheduling, and transparent about any old injuries or quirks builds trust quickly in this relatively small community.

Timing can also influence how quickly you sell. Spring and early summer, before the main outdoor competition season, are usually the best months for selling sport horses in Croatia, while leisure and trekking horses see increased interest from coastal stables ahead of the tourist season. Autumn can be a good time to negotiate if you’re buying, as some owners prefer to sell before winter feeding costs kick in. Whether you’re buying or selling, taking the time to understand how the Croatian market ticks will help you move horses more smoothly, fairly, and with far less stress for everyone involved—horses included.