Buy Horses in Switzerland

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

What makes the Swiss horse market stand out is the combination of precision, transparency, and a genuinely horse-centered culture. You feel it the moment you visit a yard near Zurich, Basel, or Lausanne: tidy stables, detailed records, and owners who know every training session and vet visit by heart. Switzerland may be a small country, but its equestrian scene is surprisingly dense and diverse, from high-level show jumping and dressage to endurance, eventing, and family leisure horses in the Jura and Alpine regions.

You’ll find a strong focus on quality over quantity. Warmbloods dominate the performance market, especially Swiss Warmbloods, Holsteiners, Hanoverians, and Dutch bloodlines for jumping and dressage. In western and leisure circles, Quarter Horses, Haflingers, Freiberger (the traditional Swiss breed), and reliable crossbreds are very common. The pony scene is solid as well, with well-produced sports ponies for ambitious children. Because land is expensive and keeping horses in Switzerland is not cheap, the overall horse population is smaller than in neighboring Germany or France, but the standard of care is generally high.

What makes buying or selling horses in Switzerland unique is the blend of professionalism and community. Many owners are members of local riding clubs, active in FECH/FSSE competitions, and used to structured training and clear documentation. The market is quite transparent: vet checks are the norm, contracts are detailed, and prices are often more realistic than in some surrounding countries. Whether you’re a Swiss rider searching for your next partner, or an international buyer looking for a competition horse, understanding these local habits will make your experience smoother and safer.

Buying horses in Switzerland - what you need to know

If you’re buying a horse in Switzerland, you’re essentially shopping in a boutique market. Prices can be higher than in Eastern Europe, but you’re often paying for good management, clear history, and access to quality veterinary services. For a well-started leisure horse suitable for hacking and low-level dressage or jumping, expect to see prices between CHF 8,000 and CHF 20,000, depending on age, training, and location. For competition horses jumping 1.20–1.30m with results, you’re usually in the CHF 25,000–60,000 range, and anything with serious results at 1.40m and above can easily move into the CHF 80,000+ bracket. Young, unbroken but well-bred warmbloods often start around CHF 7,000–12,000.

Most buyers begin their search on Swiss online platforms, such as regional horse sale websites, Facebook groups, and dealer pages, combined with word-of-mouth through riding clubs and trainers. Professional dealers and training stables around Zurich, Bern, and the French-speaking regions often have several horses for sale at once, making it easier to try multiple rides in one visit. Auctions are less dominant than in Germany or the Netherlands, but there are selective auctions for young sport horses and breed-specific sales, especially for Freiberger and some warmbloods.

International buyers looking at horses for sale in Switzerland should plan for a bit of paperwork but nothing unmanageable. Switzerland is not in the EU, so you’ll need to consider customs, import VAT, and health certificates when exporting a horse to the EU or the UK. Most experienced dealers and shipping companies know these procedures well and can guide you through: standard export includes a health certificate from a Swiss vet, proof of ownership, and, depending on the destination, Coggins or specific vaccinations. Transport within Central Europe is straightforward, with professional horse transporters running regular routes.

The pre-purchase examination, or vetting, is taken seriously in Switzerland. It’s common to do at least a clinical exam plus basic radiographs for any sport horse purchase, and more extensive x-rays for higher-value horses. Buyers often bring their own vet or ask an independent clinic, and sellers are generally used to sharing previous medical records. When you buy, don’t rush this step: clarify in advance who pays for which x-rays, what is included in the standard vet check, and what conditions would be deal-breakers for you. Also pay attention to footing when trying a horse; Switzerland has a lot of high-quality sand-fiber arenas, so if you plan to ride mainly on grass or different surfaces at home, factor that into your assessment.

To buy successfully, be realistic about your budget and expectations. A safe, experienced schoolmaster for amateur riders is in very high demand and rarely cheap. If a price seems too low for what is promised, ask more questions: why is the horse being sold, how long has it been in the current stable, what do the competition results look like on the official database? In Switzerland, serious sellers will usually accept that you take time to think after a trial, but they also expect clear communication and respect for appointments.

Everything about selling horses in Switzerland

When you sell a horse in Switzerland, you’re speaking to two overlapping audiences: the domestic market of Swiss riders and the international buyers who come specifically for well-trained sport horses and reliable leisure horses. Riders from Germany, France, Italy, and occasionally Scandinavia and the Middle East are increasingly interested in Swiss-based horses, precisely because of the reputation for good care and transparent records. A Swiss-based junior jumper with regional results can be very attractive for a foreign rider who wants a well-schooled, correctly produced horse without sorting through hundreds of ads.

To present your horse well, you need more than a nice photo on an online marketplace. Buyers in Switzerland expect clear, honest descriptions: height measured accurately, age, breeding, full disclosure of any known medical history, and recent videos showing flatwork, jumping, and, ideally, show rounds. Clean, simple presentation works best: a well-groomed horse, tidy tack, and a rider who shows the horse in a balanced, sympathetic way. If you’re selling a leisure horse, show it hacking out, loading into a trailer, and standing quietly for the farrier. For sport horses, buyers want to see correct basic training, not just a big jump.

Choosing where to advertise depends on your target market. For a straightforward family or leisure horse, local Swiss classified sites, Facebook groups, and your regional riding club network might be enough. For competition horses, work with your trainer, use specialized sport horse platforms, and don’t underestimate the power of personal networks and WhatsApp videos shared between trainers across borders. Commission-based sales through a reputable dealer or training stable are common, especially for higher-priced horses; commission in Switzerland typically ranges from 10–15%, sometimes more for complex international sales.

Pricing is where many Swiss sellers struggle. The cost of keeping a horse is high – board of CHF 800–1,500 per month is normal in many regions – but buyers will still compare your asking price to similar horses in Germany or France. A realistic strategy is to set a price that reflects training, competition record, age, and health, then leave a small margin for negotiation rather than inflating the price excessively. Transparent veterinary information and a recent set of x-rays can support a higher price, especially for export buyers who are purchasing from a distance.

If you know your horse is likely to be sold abroad, prepare in advance: make sure the passport is in order, vaccinations are up to date, and microchip information is correct. Be ready to cooperate with export vets, transport companies, and customs brokers. International buyers often expect professional behavior: written contracts, clear payment terms, trial conditions agreed in advance, and prompt responses to questions and video requests. Timing can also influence your sale: sport horses tend to move fastest in late winter and spring, before the main competition season, while family and leisure horses are often in demand just before summer holidays when people plan more riding time. By aligning your expectations with how the Swiss horse market actually works, you can sell with far less stress and a much higher chance of your horse landing in the right home.