Buy Horses in Lithuania

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

What makes Lithuania’s horse market so interesting is its mix of old rural riding traditions and a surprisingly modern sport horse scene. You’ve got family farms that still breed hardy all-rounders, sitting right next to professional show jumping and dressage yards producing horses that quietly end up competing across Europe. For a relatively small country, the variety of horses for sale in Lithuania is wider than many buyers expect.

Lithuania has a strong base in show jumping and eventing, with dressage steadily growing. You’ll see plenty of imported warmblood lines from the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium, often crossed with solid local mares to produce tough, rideable sport horses. The Lithuanian Heavy Draught and Žemaitukas are part of the country’s heritage, and while you won’t see them much at FEI shows, they still have a place in leisure riding, driving, and tourism. The overall market isn’t huge, but it’s active, especially around Vilnius, Kaunas, and the bigger sport stables that host national shows.

What makes buying or selling horses in Lithuania unique is the combination of relatively accessible prices and a community where “everyone knows everyone” in the sport world. Word of mouth still matters a lot. If you’re looking for horses for sale in Lithuania, you’ll find everything from young unbacked prospects in the €3,000–€5,000 range, to 1.30–1.40 m jumpers in the €15,000–€35,000 bracket, and a small but growing group of higher-end competition horses going well beyond that. For sellers, that means reputation, transparency, and connections are just as important as a polished online advert.

Buying horses in Lithuania - what you need to know

If you’re buying horses in Lithuania, the first pleasant surprise is usually the price-to-quality ratio. Compared with Western Europe, you can often find a correctly started 4–6-year-old sport horse for €7,000–€15,000 that would easily cost 20–30% more in Germany or the Netherlands. Lithuanian breeders and dealers have invested heavily in good bloodlines, especially for show jumping, and you’ll see offspring of well-known sires, just without the same brand-name price tag. For leisure horses or schoolmasters with mileage but maybe some limitations, expect a wide range from about €4,000 for sensible hacks up to €12,000–€18,000 for safe, well-schooled all-rounders.

Most buyers start online. Lithuanian platforms and Facebook groups are active, and many professional stables advertise on international horse sale websites in English. Still, the best horses are often sold via contacts, trainers, and WhatsApp videos before they ever reach a public advert. If you’re coming from abroad, it’s worth partnering with a local trainer, agent, or trusted rider who knows which yards consistently produce honest, rideable horses. Plan to see several horses in one region; distances are manageable and you can cover multiple stables in a couple of days.

For international buyers, the process of importing a horse from Lithuania is fairly straightforward, especially within the EU. EU buyers benefit from simplified transport and paperwork: you’ll usually just need a valid passport, ownership transfer, and a transport company that handles health certificates and route planning. Non-EU buyers need to factor in blood tests, quarantine requirements where applicable, and customs procedures, so work with a shipper experienced in moving horses from the Baltics. Most Lithuanian sellers are used to arranging vettings—standard pre-purchase exams range from a basic clinical check around €120–€200, up to full x-ray sets at €350–€700 depending on the clinic and how extensive you go. It’s normal for the buyer to pay for the vetting and to choose the vet, though many will suggest a clinic they trust.

When you’re buying in Lithuania, the usual rules apply, but with a few local nuances. Always ride the horse in different environments if possible—indoor, outdoor, and ideally outside the arena, because some young horses here are greener in open spaces. Ask specifically about competition experience; many horses will have started at local shows with modest course building, so a 1.20 m record in Lithuania might feel a bit different from a big Western European venue. Prices are influenced by pedigree, age, competition record, rideability, and vet history, just like anywhere else, but don’t be afraid to negotiate politely—sellers expect some discussion, especially on horses priced above €10,000. Clear communication, a good vet, and a realistic budget are your best tools for a successful purchase.

Everything about selling horses in Lithuania

When you’re selling horses in Lithuania, you’re not just targeting local riders. Domestic buyers are important—especially ambitious juniors, amateurs, and riding schools—but a significant portion of the market is international. Buyers from Scandinavia, Germany, the UK, and sometimes the Middle East look to Lithuania for young jumping prospects, reliable amateur horses, and budget-friendly schoolmasters. The country has built a quiet reputation for producing hardy, straightforward horses that travel well.

To sell successfully, you need to present your horse in a way that works both for local and foreign buyers. Good videos are essential: show walk, trot, canter on both reins, transitions, and for jumpers, a simple gymnastic line and a small course with accurate distances. Buyers looking at horses for sale in Lithuania will often decide whether to book a flight based on that first video. Clean, recent conformation photos and a clear description in English make a big difference if you want to reach beyond the local market. Have the passport, vaccination record, and any previous x-rays or vet reports ready; foreign buyers in particular expect transparency and will often ask for digital x-rays to send to their own vet.

When it comes to pricing, Lithuania has its own rhythm. The “sweet spot” for well-started 4–6-year-old sport prospects is often €6,000–€12,000, depending on pedigree and quality. Horses with a solid national competition record at 1.20–1.30 m usually sit in the €12,000–€25,000 bracket. Very safe, amateur-friendly types are in high demand and can command strong prices relative to their level, especially if they are uncomplicated and good on trails. It’s wise to set a realistic price with a small negotiation margin—overpricing significantly can leave a horse sitting unsold through a whole season. Spring and early summer, when riders plan their competition year and riding schools prepare for camps, are generally the best times for selling; mid-winter can be slower, unless you have a particularly special or well-priced horse.

For exports, be prepared to coordinate with transport companies and help with logistics. Many buyers will ask you to arrange or recommend a shipper who regularly moves horses from Lithuania to their region. Having experience with export paperwork, health certificates, and border procedures is a plus and can become part of your sales pitch. Buyers, especially from abroad, expect honest information about behaviour, health, and any quirks—Lithuania’s horse community is small enough that reputations travel quickly. If you market your horses clearly, price according to current Lithuanian market conditions, and maintain good relationships with trainers, vets, and transporters, you’ll find that selling horses in Lithuania can be both rewarding and sustainable in the long term.