Importing horses from Europe..??

I've just bought one in from Portugal. You need a UK passport and a health cert issued within 10 days (I think) of travel. Health cert was 30 euros or something-plus travel. Mine was microchipped sometime before and jagged.
 
I bought my boy from Holland. I found him 'word of mouth', went there and tried him, bought him. I couldn't be there for the vetting, but the whole thing was videoed from start to finish for me to watch. He was also videoed loading on to the lorry. - We used Gellisens - they were fantastic - and they transport all round Europe.

ps I think it cost around 450 euros for transport, but I haggled that into the cost of the horse.
 
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I found him through someone out there I've known for some time (i.e. 6/7 years) as I tend to holiday in Portugal and my last horse was also a lusitano so I always knew my next one would be. I did buy this one without seeing him the flesh but he was cheap enough to take a risk on and I trusted her as I have met horses she's acted as a sales agent for in the past. I originally met her on a forum!She speaks excellent English so that wasn't an issue.


transport-quotes varied from £950 + VAT to £1600 + VAT. The big transporter (Parkers, LOC, ETA) are the cheapest probably and have good reputations. I am in Scotland which makes it more expensive and used a (excellent) Portuguese transporter (Portuguese VAT is at 23%) to Dover and a smaller UK one Dover to me. It was about an 1800 mile trip.
 
peanuts1984 said:
I've often wondered this too
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I've recently imported a horse from holland. My instructor found her for me through word of mouth and then I went out and tried her. I got more for my money over there than I did here. Health certificate was around 30 euros, transport was about £300 and vetting wasn't too expensive (can't remember the price off the top of my head). Overall it wasn't too expensive and I'm glad i've done it as i've got a lovely horse out of it
 
I was looking at a 'rescue' from portugal and was quoted about £700-£800 for transport
 
We have taken our own to and from UK to Europe with OH's postings. We used a shipping agents to do the paperwork and shipping a lot less hassle.

When we bought our stallion in Holland. We found him online at auction. Lots to choice from and we went to the two day sale. Had access to all areas and looked at him in and out of his stable and in the ring. He was far to good for me to ride. If we were to buy another would go direct to his breeder (OH if you are reading this we are not having another!!)

There are agents who will do the looking for you and you can then be taken around to see the horses they have found for you.

If you were thinking of France why not PM Richard Rider I think he lives in France.
Good luck
 
Was thinking the same AAlice.
Wondered why you're looking abroad OP. it obviously isn't that you've found your perfect horse that happens to be in France.

It baffles me why people think to get the best you need to look in Europe.
In reality, they are bred in such huge numbers, to maximise the chance of breeding a top class prospect. These potential stars will never leave the country, but british buyers are the perfect outlet for the excess.
These animals have super parentage, but that doesn't guarantee its passed on to the offspring, as the breeders well know, which is why they breed in such huge numbers.
Those that don't meet their criteria are sold over here, often with very silly price tags.
Some one I know has recently bought from a very well known stud in Germany. Eye watering money. Its a reasonably good horse, but she could have bought 3 of better quality here for less money.
It's just a huge shame that british breeders, quietly producing some fantastic youngstock are being overlooked for second grade European horses, based on the all singing all dancing reputation of foreign breeders.
They love the british buyer. They love them all the way to the bank.
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
Thanks for the replies. The biggest issue seems to be the language barrier and knowing where to look :/
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maybe PM Rollin or RichardRider and see if they have some advice. If you are looking for a specific breed that might be easier.


As for those wondering why we buy in from abroad. Well for me, there are very few people here breeding what I want for a price I can pay. I could certainly have picked up a cheaper already imported horse but then could not be sure of their history. I am under no illusions as to the quality of the horse I just bought but I bought from people I know and trust, I bought a youngster and he's still half of what I would have paid for the same type here-even with gelding and transport. I am old enough to know what I like, pay for it with my money and to not much care if people think. I wouldn't buy a WB from Europe as I wouldn't buy a WB at all.
 
Haven't imported but did export a Highland pony to Holland. John Parkers and Eric Gillies did a great job! I literally had to just present the pony to the lorry, head collared and on a lead rope, with the passport, John Parkers and Eric Gillies handled everything -- vet certificates, paper work, etc. Prices mentioned seem about right but I cannot give you a definite figure as my client dealt direct. No doubt Parkers could advise on contacts/translators if you were going to use them for transport?
 
I bought my horse from Haras de la Rose in France, Sarah is English so no language issues, used John Parker to transport and was all easy as they sorted it all out for me.
 
Thank you for all of the replies.
AA I completely agree that we should support British breeders 100%.
However...I'm after another heavy horse and while I'm trying to get a particular blood line of Clydesdale here in the UK (same bloodline as my late Goliath) it is proving difficult. If I cannot do this then I'd like an Ardennes or possibly a Breton...the issue with this is that there are few to no breeders here in the UK
I have been in contact with Rollin in the past about sourcing a stud for my friends pure bred Breton mare and she was amazingly helpful :)
I was going to view an Ardennes mare over here but got let down at the last minute and sadly don't have have infinite finances :(
 
You can go through agents who will find horses for you to look at and help with the language barrier... I didn't. I just saw him being ridden about the town and said I liked him, found out he was for sale asked a friend for help as she spoke Spanish. Then had all his health certificates done, blood tests and a fit for travel 24hours before and then he was shipped here. It cost me £740 to ship him from south east Spain in a shared travel (8 other horses) and it took him 6 days to get here.

If you have any questions regarding the shipping and health checks required, I still have all the paper work :)
 
OP, its lovely to hear you tried to support british breeders.
As you're looking for a specific breed not easily found here it makes sense to look abroad.
Good luck in your search, I hope you find your dream horse, and are able to bring him home without to much difficulty.
 
A bit of an afterthought really, but DEFRA has a special department that handles live animal imports and exports exclusively. They are very helpful. Just go to he DEFRA web site and follow the links. You can actually speak to a human being on the other end of the telephone who speaks Anglo-Saxon like a native AND knows what they are talking about!!!
 
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