Horse Buying Trip to Germany: Where to Stay and How Long to Plan

Buying a horse in Germany is one of the best decisions an international equestrian can make — but the trip itself requires careful planning. How many days do you need? Where should you stay? Can you come back for a second visit? Here is everything you need to know before you book your flights.

How Long Should You Plan for a Horse Buying Trip?

For first-time buyers, allow a minimum of four to seven days in Germany. This gives you time to:

• Visit three to six farms and try multiple horses
• Revisit your shortlisted horse a second time
• Commission and attend a pre-purchase veterinary examination
• Begin the export paperwork process

Experienced buyers who have pre-selected horses online and have a clear brief can sometimes complete a successful trip in three days. However, rushing the process increases the risk of a decision you later regret. Good horses are worth taking the time to evaluate properly. Be aware that the best ones may not be listed in the internet in order to avoid ‘trial tourism’, which is popular locally. This means that people who never intend to buy a horse try pretending they do buy within short.

Can You Make Multiple Visits?

Yes — and for significant purchases, it is strongly recommended. A second visit allows you to ride the horse in different conditions, assess its behaviour after a day of rest, and bring a trusted trainer or friend for a second opinion. Many international buyers build their trips around two visits separated by one to three months, especially when purchasing young horses with higher development potential.

Where Should You Stay?

The quality of your accommodation directly affects the quality of your buying trip. Options range from hotels in Hamburg or Hanover to guesthouses in rural Lower Saxony — but there is a third option that experienced horse buyers increasingly prefer: staying directly on a farm.

Farm accommodation gives you immediate access to the horses at any time of day. You observe morning feeding, notice how horses behave after work, and can ask spontaneous questions of the trainer or owner. This informal time often yields more useful insight than any structured trial ride.

Staying at Heinshof During Your Horse Buying Trip

Heinshof in Egestorf, Lüneburger Heide, offers eight fully equipped holiday apartments directly on the farm estate — accommodating two to five guests each. Guests staying at Heinshof can use the farm as a base for visiting other yards in the region, while also evaluating Heinshof’s own horses at their leisure.

Being trustworthy to other breeders you may save some time during your stay. Many bring their horses to Heinshof specially for your well planned visit.

Trainer Linda Naeve-Haht is available for consultations, trial rides and informal discussions throughout a guest’s stay. International buyers have used Heinshof as their base for buying trips across northern Germany, benefiting from Linda’s knowledge of local breeders, her network of contacts and her experience with export logistics.

To arrange a buying trip stay at Heinshof, contact the farm via heinshof.com or by phone at +49 4175 808 4618, e-mail office@heinshof.com.. Stays of three nights or more are recommended to make the most of a horse buying visit. Do not miss the chance to go hacking in the natural preserve “Lüneburger Heide” with your new horse!