What are the benefits of importing a horse from europe?

Question

I am thinking of importing a horse from europe in the near future, but i do not know if it worth the time and money that i will need to put into it. If you have ever imported a horse, or have info about importing please answer, i would really appreciate it.

Answer 1

There are so many horses in the US needing homes that it would be hard for me to consider doing that. With feed costs so high, there are record numbers of horses not being cared for. There are some really great horses out there that just need a chance and they'll be the best eventing horses out there.

Also, there are lots of wild horses needing placement through the Bureau of Land Management. Before turning up your nose about a scraggly mustang, realize that they aren't all like that and there are plenty of beautiful horses out there. Here's a great page by trainer Kitty Laumann about the mustang she was training for the Extreme Mustang Makeover Challenge. All the videos are amazing to watch, but look what she was able to do with him in just 100 days. Amazing, and he's a very nice horse. The BLM even has Thoroughbred-- anything you want, they have. Check it out:

http://www.laumantraining.com/ranger.htm

Answer 2

I have never imported a horse but like you said is it worth the time and money????

I do not know prices but I'm sure shipping isn't cheap and the risks involved in it.  The insurance, the value of our dollar(if from the US) over Euro's..I'm sure there is quarantine and perhaps a boarding charge while there.  The vetting and costs associated with it for soundness and health certificates.

Are you buying the horse by a picture and someones word..a video?  Are you travelling to try the horse out first?  There is another expense.  Or a risk that the horse isn't what you expected once at your location.

I don't know the type of horse your looking for or the discipline that you ride that you find it necessary to purchase from out of the country.  I don't see how I can answer that question...other than if it was me and whatever the circumstances, I would do what was within my means to do it.

Good luck with whatever your decision might be!!

Answer 3

its about bloodlines usually, which none of my horses have good bloodlines, but they are still good horses. And really it's kind of a status symbol, to say that your horse came from some european country. There are horses just as nice here in america

Answer 4

Only import a horse that is well worth it. Don't spend thousands to import an average horse. Importing costs about $10,000, I believe. You should buy a horse that is doing pretty darn well, as in they could go to the Olympic trials with a little more training. Here are the pros and cons:

PROS:

You can sell the horse for lots more $$$ if you decide to sell.

You will most likely end up with a very well bred horse.

There's more but my brain doesn't function completely on weekends. :P

CONS:

Importing costs $10,000 minimum, and that doesn't even include the horse.

The horse will be in quarantine for a month.

If the horse doesn't pass quarantine, you have to pay more $$$ to ship her / him back to Europe, etc.

Personally I would just buy a horse here in the U.S. (or whatever country you live in).

Answer 5

well i don't think it is a good idea unless it is a horse that you are going to the Olympics with. but if you have the time and money for a that horse i say go for it. but it is very stress full for the horse. but if you think your horse could take the stress it should be fine. but i think you should think about this for a while, so that way you will be satisfied with your decision. good luck. i hope i helped Sabrina

Answer 6

It is very costly to import a horse from another country. There are insurance costs, inspection fees, and quaranteen. I know of horses that have died from the stress, and people had already paid a lot of money into the process. Unless this is a one of a kind horse for a one of a kind purpose, I would strongly advise against it.

There are many horses going to slaughter just because they are not wanted any more. This would be one to think about.

Answer 7

Is there something about this horse that you can't find here? Besides the added cost, another factor to consider is if the horse being sold to you is really good.  I've heard it said that some breeders keep their best horses and sell their culls overseas.