Buy Horses in Finland

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

Finland’s horse market has its own quiet charm: serious horsemanship, straightforward people, and horses that are generally well-schooled, well-kept, and honestly represented. The country’s long tradition with the sturdy Finnhorse, combined with a strong interest in warmblood sport horses and reliable leisure mounts, creates a surprisingly diverse marketplace for buying and selling horses in Finland.

You’ll find a well-educated equestrian community here. Riding schools are common, pony clubs are active, and disciplines like show jumping, dressage, eventing, and harness racing all have solid followings. The Finnhorse and Icelandic horse are particularly visible, but you’ll also see imported warmbloods from Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark, plus a growing number of purpose-bred sport horses from Finnish breeders. The overall market is not huge compared to Central Europe, but it is stable and relatively transparent.

What makes buying or selling horses in Finland unique is the combination of high welfare standards, clear paperwork expectations, and a culture that values honesty in horse dealing. Finnish buyers tend to be well-informed and cautious, and sellers know they will be asked detailed questions about health, training, and competition history. If you’re used to hectic continental auctions, the Finnish market will feel calmer, more relationship-based, and often more patient on both sides of the deal.

Buying horses in Finland - what you need to know

If you are buying a horse in Finland, you’ll notice quickly that quality leisure and sport horses are widely available, especially in Southern and Western Finland. For basic riding school–type horses and safe leisure mounts, you can expect prices from around 4,000–8,000 euros, depending on age, temperament, and level of education. A well-produced show jumper or dressage horse competing at national level will usually fall somewhere between 12,000–35,000 euros, with top competition horses going higher when they have proven results and clean vet histories. Finnhorses and Icelandic horses are sought after for their versatility and character, with prices often between 5,000–15,000 euros for a well-trained, healthy horse.

Most buyers start on Finnish online platforms and Facebook groups dedicated to horses for sale in Finland, as well as visiting dealers and trainers they trust. It’s common to set up several viewings in the same region over a weekend, and Finns appreciate punctuality and clear communication. When you view a horse, expect to see it being handled, groomed, tacked up, and ridden in various situations; many sellers will also offer a short hack in the forest if the horse is used for trail riding. Negotiation is normal, but it tends to be polite and based on concrete reasons such as findings in the pre-purchase exam or lack of competition record rather than aggressive haggling.

For international buyers, Finland is attractive because horses are generally well-documented, with passports, vaccination records, and often detailed veterinary histories. EU buyers have it relatively easy: movement within the EU requires standard health certificates and transport papers, and professional horse transporters are used to regular routes between Finland, Sweden, and mainland Europe via ferry. Non-EU buyers must account for quarantine rules, export papers, and sometimes higher transport costs, so you should factor an extra 2,000–5,000 euros for shipping and paperwork depending on the destination. A full pre-purchase examination is standard practice; most buyers choose a clinical exam with flexion tests and basic bloodwork, and for sport horses, a set of X-rays of limbs and sometimes back and neck. Finnish vets are generally conservative and thorough, and their written reports are very helpful if you are buying from abroad. Ask the vet to communicate directly with your own veterinarian at home; it’s normal and saves misunderstandings.

To buy successfully in Finland, be clear about your criteria and realistic about your budget. Good all-round family horses with a calm temperament are always in high demand and sell quickly, so moving fast—while still insisting on a proper vetting—is important. Watch out for horses that have done “a bit of everything” but with no consistent training or competition record; in Finland’s long winters, horses can lose fitness or develop minor issues if management is not ideal. Ask specific questions about how the horse has been kept during winter, turnout routines, and whether it is used to being ridden indoors, outdoors, and in snow.

Everything about selling horses in Finland

If you are selling a horse in Finland, your buyers may come from just down the road or from several countries away. Domestic buyers include riding schools looking for reliable school horses, families wanting safe ponies, ambitious juniors searching for competition partners, and adult amateurs upgrading from their first horse. International buyers often look to Finland for sound, sane horses with solid basic training, especially Finnhorses, Icelandic horses, and well-started warmbloods that may be slightly more affordable than in Central Europe for the same quality.

To sell effectively, preparation is everything. Finnish buyers expect up-to-date vaccinations, a clear deworming history, and honest disclosure of any injuries or limitations. Clean, well-fitted tack, tidy hooves, and a horse that leads, loads, and stands quietly will immediately increase confidence. When advertising horses for sale in Finland, clear, realistic videos are crucial: walk, trot, and canter on both reins, transitions, some lateral work for dressage horses, and a straightforward course for jumpers. Outdoor footage is appreciated, but remember winter daylight is short, so good timing and lighting matter. For platforms, most sellers use Finnish horse sales websites, Facebook groups, and their own networks of trainers and riding schools. Dealers and professional riders often have waiting lists of buyers and can help you reach a broader audience, including foreign clients.

Pricing in Finland is influenced by age, breeding, competition record, and reliability. Younger, green horses are often between 3,000–7,000 euros, while a well-schooled amateur sport horse with results sits more in the 10,000–25,000 euro bracket. If you aim at international buyers, ensure your price makes sense once they add transport and import costs; a slightly sharper but still realistic price might attract a foreign buyer if the horse offers something special, such as strong results or rare bloodlines. Timing also matters: spring and early summer are prime months to sell, when riders plan the season and are more willing to travel to view horses. Deep winter can be slower, especially for young or green horses that don’t show as well in icy conditions, though serious buyers do still move then.

Buyers in Finland expect transparency, quick responses, and the possibility to involve their own trainer and veterinarian. Be ready to share previous X-rays if you have them, competition records from the national federation’s database, and any relevant medical information. For export sales, work with a reputable transport company and your local vet to organize the health certificate, Coggins test if needed, and customs documents. A clear written sales contract is normal and protects both sides, especially when selling abroad. In all cases, your best marketing is a well-cared-for horse and straightforward communication; in the Finnish horse market, word travels fast, and a reputation for honesty will help every future sale.