Selling a horse internationally can introduce your horse to a much larger market of riders, trainers, dealers and owners. It can also create more questions, negotiations and practical responsibilities than a local sale.
A successful international sale depends on more than advertising. Buyers need accurate information, representative videos, transparent communication and a clear process for trials, veterinary examinations, payment and transport.
The objective is not simply to attract attention. It is to give the right buyers enough confidence to take the next step.
Prepare the Horse Before Advertising
Before creating a listing, confirm that the horse is genuinely available and that the person advertising it has permission from the legal owner.
Collect the essential information in advance:
Registered name and passport details
Year of birth, sex and height
Sire, dam and studbook
Current competition level
Relevant competition records
Current location
Asking price
Temperament and rideability
Current training and management routine
Known veterinary history or maintenance
Availability for trials
Expected sales timeline
Having this information ready allows enquiries to be answered quickly and consistently.
If an agent, rider or trainer is selling the horse on behalf of an owner, the responsibilities and sales conditions should be agreed before the horse is advertised.
Set a Realistic Asking Price
The asking price is one of the most important parts of the listing.
A horse’s value can be influenced by:
Age and experience
Current competition level
Results and consistency
Pedigree and breeding potential
Rideability and temperament
Suitability for amateur or professional riders
Veterinary history
Location
Market demand
Future potential
Pricing a horse too high can discourage serious buyers and leave the horse on the market for an extended period. Pricing it too low can attract excessive enquiries and create doubts about why the horse is being sold.
The price should reflect the current horse—not only what it might achieve in the future.
Hiplando requires both the price and location to be included. “DM for price” is not accepted because professional buyers need this information before deciding whether a horse fits their search.
Create Honest, Professional Photographs
The main photograph creates the buyer’s first impression. It should show the horse clearly rather than attempting to hide its conformation behind dramatic angles, filters or equipment.
For a strong sales presentation:
Groom the horse carefully
Use clean, correctly fitted tack
Choose a tidy, uncluttered location
Photograph the horse in natural daylight
Include at least one clear standing photograph
Show the complete horse from ears to hooves
Avoid heavy filters or artificial editing
Use recent photographs that represent the horse today
A beautiful photograph attracts attention, but accuracy builds trust.
Record Representative Sales Videos
Videos should help the buyer understand how the horse normally moves, responds and performs.
Depending on the horse, a useful video package may include:
Walk, trot and canter on both reins
Transitions and basic flatwork
Recent training footage
Jumping appropriate to the horse’s current level
A complete competition round
Footage from more than one occasion
Normal stable handling when relevant
Avoid using only slow motion, short highlights or one exceptional jump. Buyers should be able to observe rhythm, balance, rideability and the horse’s natural way of going.
If the horse is suitable for an amateur, include footage with a representative rider when possible. A video ridden only by a highly experienced professional may not show how the horse feels for its intended buyer.
Keep the original, unedited videos available. Serious buyers or their trainers may request them after viewing the main advertisement.
Write a Complete Horse Listing
A professional listing should answer the buyer’s first questions without becoming exaggerated or excessively long.
Include:
Horse’s name
Year of birth
Sex
Height
Pedigree
Studbook
Discipline and competition level
Important results or results link
Temperament and rideability
Type of rider the horse may suit
Current location
Asking price
Veterinary information available
Trial availability
Clear contact method
Descriptions such as “future Grand Prix horse,” “perfect amateur horse” or “completely safe” should only be used with great care. No seller can guarantee future performance or behaviour in every situation.
Specific information is more valuable than superlatives. Explain what the horse is doing now, what experience it has and why it may suit a particular rider.
Transparency Creates Better Enquiries
Serious buyers understand that horses are living athletes. They do not expect every horse to be perfect, but they do expect clear answers.
Known medical history, regular maintenance, behavioural considerations and management requirements should be discussed honestly. Hiding important information normally creates greater problems later during the trial, veterinary examination or after the sale.
Transparency does not necessarily make a horse unsellable. It allows buyers and veterinarians to decide whether the horse is suitable for its intended purpose.
Qualify Potential Buyers
Not every enquiry represents a suitable buyer. Before arranging a trial, it is reasonable to understand:
The rider’s current level
Their intended use for the horse
Whether they work with a trainer
Their approximate budget
Their location
Their expected purchasing timeline
Whether they want to visit or buy from videos
Any essential veterinary requirements
This protects everyone’s time and reduces unnecessary trials.
Sensitive documents, detailed veterinary records and personal information should be shared carefully and only with credible parties involved in a serious discussion.
Arrange Trials Professionally
Some international buyers may purchase based on videos and professional recommendations. Others will want to reserve a trial before making a decision.
Before the trial, confirm:
The date, time and location
Who will be riding the horse
Whether a trainer or agent will attend
What level of work or jumping is appropriate
Whether the horse is reserved during the process
Any deposit or trial conditions
The next steps if the buyer wants to proceed
The trial should take place in an appropriate facility with suitable supervision. The horse should be presented in its normal condition and routine.
When possible, allow the buyer to see the horse ridden by its regular rider before trying it.
The Pre-Purchase Veterinary Examination
The buyer should be encouraged to arrange an independent pre-purchase veterinary examination appropriate to the horse’s age, value, discipline and intended use.
The seller should provide accurate information and make the horse available for the agreed examination. Existing veterinary records or X-rays can be provided when available and properly authorised, but the buyer may still choose to commission a new examination.
The buyer’s veterinarian is responsible for interpreting the findings. A veterinary examination provides information about risk at that moment; it cannot guarantee the horse’s future health or performance.
Agree on the Sale in Writing
Once the buyer decides to proceed, the main terms should be documented clearly.
A written agreement may address:
Identity of the buyer and seller
Horse’s registered identity
Purchase price and currency
Deposit and payment schedule
Veterinary conditions
Included tack or equipment
Delivery and transport responsibilities
Passport and ownership transfer
Commission or agency fees
Any other agreed conditions
Tax, customs and legal requirements can differ between countries. Professional advice may be appropriate for complex or high-value international transactions.
Payment details should always be verified through a trusted communication channel. Be cautious if bank details change unexpectedly or if anyone creates unnecessary pressure to transfer funds immediately.
The horse, passport and ownership documents should not be released until the agreed payment has been confirmed securely.
Plan International Transport Early
Transport should be discussed before the sale is completed, particularly when the horse will cross borders or travel by air.
Important considerations can include:
Final destination
Proposed travel date
Licensed transport provider
Horse identification documents
Health documentation
Export or import requirements
Suitable overnight stops
Insurance arrangements
Delivery contact and stable access
The exact requirements depend on the countries involved and the nature of the journey. Planning early helps prevent unnecessary delays after payment.
Hiplando can assist with transport coordination and the practical steps needed to deliver the horse safely to its new stable.
Selling Through Hiplando
Hiplando connects sellers with an international network of buyers, riders, trainers and equestrian professionals.
Through the classic Horse For Sale service, Hiplando can support:
Preparation of the advertisement
International promotion
Buyer enquiries
Trial coordination
Veterinary arrangements
Negotiation and communication
Sale documentation
Transport planning
Support from the first listing to final delivery
For sellers without an active subscription, a classic Horse For Sale listing costs €99. A 10% commission applies when the horse is sold. Hiplando Pro members can list an unlimited number of horses as part of their plan.
Commercial terms should be confirmed with Hiplando before the horse is listed.
Ready to Sell Your Horse?
Prepare the horse’s information, recent photographs, representative videos, price and location. You must also have the owner’s permission to advertise the horse.
Contact Hiplando directly on WhatsApp or email [email protected] to discuss your listing.
The best international sales do not begin with exaggerated promises. They begin with a well-presented horse, accurate information and a professional process that gives both buyer and seller confidence.