Buying & Importing a Sport Horse from Germany – A Guide for International Buyers

Germany is one of the world’s leading sources of well-bred, well-trained sport horses, and many of our buyers travel from Switzerland, Austria, the UK and overseas. This guide explains how the buying process works at a reputable German yard, what a pre-purchase vet examination involves, what to budget, and – the part most buyers underestimate – how to import your horse safely to your home country. If you already know what you are looking for, you can browse our sport horses for sale directly.

Why buy a sport horse in Germany, near Hamburg?

Northern Germany has a dense, generations-old breeding and training culture. Buyers value the combination of honest, rideable horses, transparent veterinary documentation and the option to try a horse in a calm environment before committing. The Hamburg region is well connected by air (Hamburg, Hanover and Bremen airports, plus the major equine air-freight hubs at Amsterdam, Liège and Frankfurt) and by road to the rest of Europe, which keeps transport straightforward.

How to choose a reputable yard – and what to watch out for

A trustworthy seller makes the process transparent rather than rushed. Look for:

• Time to try the horse properly – over more than one day, in different situations, without pressure.
• An independent pre-purchase vet examination that you commission and pay for, with full access to the X-rays and findings.
• Honest answers about temperament, training level and any quirks – a good yard would rather lose a sale than mismatch horse and rider.
• A written purchase contract stating what is included, the horse’s passport details and the agreed condition. Known defects should be listed too, as should any commission payments to third parties.
• Clear help with export and transport for international buyers.
• Hands-on experience as a horse breeder, not a pure dealership.

Red flags include pressure to decide the same day, refusal of an independent vet check, no written contract, or vague answers about the horse’s history.

The buying trip: trying several horses over several days

Rather than a quick appointment, we recommend planning a short buying trip so you can ride a shortlist of horses over several days and see the right one in different conditions. During the trip you book one of the estate’s holiday apartments, so there is no time pressure and no daily travel. You are already staying right where the horses are tried, and others are usually very close by. This is the single most important step in finding a horse that genuinely suits you.

The pre-purchase vet examination (AKU) and German X-ray classes

A pre-purchase examination (in German Ankaufsuntersuchung, AKU) is standard and strongly recommended. A clinical examination covers the horse at rest and in motion, including flexion tests; an extended examination adds a set of X-rays and, if required, scoping or blood work. The examination is carried out by an independent veterinarian on site; the buyer commissions and pays for it, which keeps the findings neutral. Discuss as much as possible directly with the veterinarian, who is university-trained and speaks foreign languages.

German X-rays are graded in radiographic classes (Röntgenklassen) 1 to 4, where class 1–2 describe findings with little or no expected clinical relevance and class 3–4 indicate findings that warrant closer consideration for the horse’s intended use. Ask for the full image set and the written report so your own vet at home can review them.

What does a sport horse cost?

Prices depend on age, training level, bloodlines, rideability, competition record and health status far more than on any single figure. As general market orientation, well-started amateur and leisure horses typically begin in the low five-figure range, while established competition horses with results reach well into five or six figures. We give you a concrete price for each individual horse on request – the fairest way, because every horse is different.

Beyond the purchase price there are additional costs for the buying trip and import – how much depends mainly on distance. Within Europe (road transport) they stay moderate, often around 5–10 % of the horse’s value. For overseas destinations they are considerably higher: air or sea freight is far more expensive, and permits, testing and quarantine come on top. The individual items:

• Travel and accommodation for the buying trip
• Pre-purchase veterinary examination (typically around €300–€1,500 depending on scope)
• Passport transfer and registration
• Export health certification
• Transport to your home country – by road within Europe (moderate), or by air or sea freight overseas (much more expensive, rising with distance)
• For overseas: import permit, required testing and quarantine
• Any import duties or taxes due in the destination country

Importing your horse: step by step

The requirements depend entirely on where the horse is going. Rules change, so always confirm the current requirements with the official veterinary authority in your destination country or with your transport company – the outline below is for orientation.

Within the European Union

Every horse needs a valid equine passport and microchip. For commercial movement between EU member states, an official health certificate is issued through the EU’s TRACES system by an official veterinarian shortly before transport. There are no customs formalities inside the EU. Horses usually travel by specialised road transport; a journey from northern Germany to, for example, Switzerland or Austria takes about a day, often with a rest stop.

To the United Kingdom

Since Brexit, a horse moving to Great Britain needs an Export Health Certificate and must be entered through the appropriate border processes; a customs declaration and, depending on status, import VAT apply. Your transporter and an official vet coordinate the paperwork and the Channel crossing.

To the United States and overseas

Imports to the USA are the most involved and should be planned early:

• A USDA APHIS import permit and an export health certificate endorsed by the official veterinary authority.
• A negative EIA (Coggins) test and the health testing required before export.
• A minimum quarantine on arrival at a USDA-approved facility (generally around three days). Because Germany is a CEM-affected country, intact mares and stallions require additional CEM (contagious equine metritis) testing and an extended quarantine at an approved facility; geldings are exempt from the CEM requirement.
• Air freight via a major equine hub (Amsterdam, Liège or Frankfurt), handled by a specialised horse-transport company, plus onward road transport in the destination country.
• Customs clearance, and any import duty or tax due on arrival.

Other overseas destinations follow a similar logic – import permit, health testing, endorsed certificate, quarantine and air freight – with country-specific details.

Timeline: from “yes” to your horse at home

Within the EU, a horse can often travel within one to two weeks of purchase once the vet check and paperwork are complete. Overseas imports typically take several weeks to a few months, driven mainly by the import permit, the required testing windows and quarantine, and air-freight scheduling. Starting the permit and testing early is the best way to keep the timeline short.

How Heinshof supports international buyers

We breed and train many of our horses ourselves and know them well. For buyers from abroad we help with the practical side so the purchase is as smooth as the riding: a relaxed buying trip with the option to stay on the estate, an independent vet examination arranged on site, export health certification, passport transfer, and coordination with established equine transport companies for road or air freight. You tell us your discipline, level and budget; we shortlist suitable horses once you have booked your trip with us.

Frequently asked questions

Can I try several horses over several days before buying?

Yes. We encourage a buying trip so you can ride a shortlist over several days without time pressure, and you should book your stay with us on site during the trip.

Do you help international buyers with export and transport?

Yes. We assist with export health certificates, passport transfer and the coordination of specialised equine transport companies for road or air freight. Buyers from outside the EU should allow extra time for import permits and testing.

What documents does my horse need to enter the USA?

Typically a USDA APHIS import permit, an endorsed export health certificate, a negative EIA (Coggins) test and the required pre-export testing, followed by quarantine on arrival. Intact mares and stallions from Germany also require CEM testing and extended quarantine; geldings are exempt. Always confirm the current requirements with USDA APHIS.

Is a pre-purchase veterinary examination available?

Yes. An independent vet carries out the examination on site, including X-rays if you wish. You commission and pay for it, and you receive the full image set and report.

How long does it take to import a horse to the USA?

Usually several weeks to a few months, depending on the import permit, testing and quarantine windows and air-freight scheduling. We recommend starting the permit process as soon as the purchase is agreed.

How do I transport a horse from Germany to Switzerland or Austria?

By specialised road transport, with an EU health certificate issued through TRACES before departure. The journey from northern Germany takes about a day.

Ready to start? Browse our sport horses for sale or contact us with your discipline, level and budget, and we will prepare a shortlist for your visit.