Buy Horses in Ireland

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

There’s a reason so many of us in the horse world keep coming back to Ireland when we’re looking to buy or sell. For a small island, Ireland punches far above its weight in horse power: from hardy Irish Cobs pulling traps in rural villages, to Irish Sport Horses flying around 5* eventing tracks, to Draught crosses teaching kids their first showjumping rounds. Horses are woven into everyday life here, not just concentrated in a few elite yards, and that makes the market both rich and very real.

Traditionally, Ireland has produced horses for hunting, eventing, and showjumping, and that still shapes the type of horses you’ll find for sale. You see a lot of Irish Sport Horses, Irish Draughts and Draught crosses, Connemaras, and increasingly Continental bloodlines for pure jumping. At local shows you’ll see everything from 13.2hh show ponies to 1.40m jumpers, often all from within a relatively small radius. That density of horses means buyers have a lot of choice, and sellers can reach a wide audience without needing to travel far.

What makes buying and selling horses in Ireland unique is the blend of traditional and modern. Old-style dealing still exists: word of mouth, horses tried in a field, deals done over a cup of tea in the kitchen. But it now runs alongside a very active online marketplace, organised sales, and a steady stream of international buyers flying in, especially from the UK, Europe, and the US. The community is tight-knit, people know each other’s reputations, and while that can be daunting if you’re new, it also means good horses and fair dealers tend to be talked about and found quickly.

Buying horses in Ireland - what you need to know

If you’re buying, Ireland is attractive for three main reasons: depth of quality, variety, and value for money. For example, a straightforward all-rounder suitable for Riding Club or lower-level eventing might cost between €6,000 and €12,000, depending on age, mileage, and temperament. A genuinely competitive 1.20–1.30m showjumper will typically sit in the €15,000–€35,000 bracket, with very special young horses or proven 1.40m+ horses going significantly higher. You can still find cheaper horses under €5,000, but expect them to be green, younger, or with some compromise in ability or experience.

Most buyers start online now. Popular Irish horse sales websites, Facebook groups, and dealer pages are the first port of call, along with word-of-mouth via local trainers. Professional dealers and producers are concentrated in areas like Co. Kildare, Meath, Tipperary, and Cork, but you’ll find good yards all over the country. There are also regular auctions and performance sales, which can be useful if you know what you’re looking at, but I don’t recommend going to an Irish sale ring blind if you’re inexperienced. For private purchases, the usual process is simple: you contact the seller, arrange a viewing and trial (often hacking on roads, popping a few fences in a field or arena), and, if you like the horse, you book a vetting.

Pre-purchase examinations are taken seriously in Ireland, especially when international buyers are involved. A standard 5-stage vetting with basic x‑rays will usually run from about €300 to €600, and more extensive imaging can push that higher. It’s normal for the buyer to choose and pay the vet, and many foreign buyers use an independent Irish equine clinic rather than the seller’s local vet. Make sure you clarify what’s included in the vetting and whether you need radiographs that satisfy your home country’s importing or insurance standards.

For international buyers, you’ll also need to factor in transport and paperwork. Within the EU, moving a horse from Ireland is relatively straightforward, though you’ll still need proper passports, vaccination records, and commercial transport by a registered haulier. Post‑Brexit, sending horses from Ireland to the UK involves additional health certificates and customs, and costs have risen; a shared lorry trip to mainland Europe might run from €800 to €1,500 per horse, depending on distance and service. To the US, expect several thousand euro including quarantine. When negotiating price, remember Irish sellers are generally used to buyers adding travel and transport on top, so they won’t be surprised if you’re cautious and want everything clear in writing.

Everything about selling horses in Ireland

From the seller’s side, Ireland benefits from a broad mix of buyers. You have local riders looking for ponies, hunters, and leisure horses; UK and European riders seeking eventers and jumpers; and a steady US and Scandinavian interest in Connemaras, Irish Draughts, and athletic Irish Sport Horses. Many of the “horses for sale in Ireland” you see advertised online will never leave the island, but a significant number do end up competing abroad, especially in eventing and showjumping.

To sell well in Ireland, presentation matters more than fancy wording. Buyers expect clear videos on the flat and over fences, ideally showing the horse in a simple snaffle, and, if claimed, footage from shows or hunts. A tidy set of conformation photos, up-to-date teeth, vaccinations, and a recent set of shoes all send the message that the horse is in work and cared for. Honest descriptions are valued: if a horse is sharp, green, or has a managing issue, saying so upfront actually helps you find the right buyer faster and avoids wasted vettings. Popular selling platforms include Irish equestrian classifieds sites, Facebook groups (particularly for ponies and lower-budget horses), and direct routes via dealers and producers if you’d rather they handle the marketing and viewings for a commission or trade price.

When it comes to pricing, timing and discipline matter. In Ireland, autumn is strong for selling hunters and eventers; spring and early summer are good for ponies, Riding Club types, and competition horses as people plan their season. A sensible, well-schooled Riding Club horse with some competition history might be competitively priced around €8,000–€14,000, while a quality 4‑year‑old with good breeding and a bit of training could fetch €10,000–€20,000 if it shows genuine scope. Ponies with safe, proven records, especially 128cm and 138cm, are in demand and can command surprisingly strong prices relative to size. If you’re targeting international buyers, be ready to provide detailed videos, full passport and breeding info, and to accommodate independent vettings and shipping schedules. The more transparent and organised you are, the more confident overseas buyers feel wiring deposits and balances from abroad, and the easier it is to build a reputation in Ireland as someone whose horses are exactly as described.