Why buy directly from the breeder?
When you buy from the breeder, you buy a horse whose whole story is known. We have known it since the day it was born and raised it in the herd on our pastures. We know its dam, often its siblings and the qualities of its damline, and we can tell you honestly what the horse is ready for and what it is not.
There is no dealer or agent between us, which keeps the process simple and transparent, and you keep a direct contact for questions after the purchase.
How the purchase works
- Tell us what you are looking for: discipline, level, age, size and budget.
- We suggest suitable horses and send you current videos and photos.
- You visit us and see the horse in the stable, moving loose, on the lunge or under saddle, depending on its age.
- A vet of your choice carries out the pre-purchase examination.
- We sign a written sales contract and you pay by bank transfer.
- The horse travels to you with all its papers.
Viewing the horse
We always recommend seeing a horse in person before you buy it. Visits are by appointment, and Hamburg Airport is the closest international airport for most of Schleswig-Holstein. If you cannot travel, we will send you additional videos of exactly the situations you want to see.
The pre-purchase examination (vetting)
In Germany the pre-purchase examination is called Ankaufsuntersuchung, or AKU. It consists of a clinical examination and, as a rule, a standard set of X-rays taken according to the German X-ray guideline (Röntgenleitfaden). The buyer chooses and pays the vet, and the findings belong to the buyer.
Many international buyers have the examination carried out by an experienced equine clinic near the farm and send the X-rays to their own vet at home for a second opinion. We are happy to recommend clinics in the region.
Contract, payment and papers
The sale is based on a written sales contract that records the horse, the price and the agreed terms; our terms and conditions apply. Payment is usually made by bank transfer before the horse leaves the farm.
With the horse you receive its equine passport with the Holsteiner papers, which record its identity, microchip and pedigree, together with its vaccination history and the certificate of ownership (Eigentumsurkunde), which is transferred to you.
Transport within Europe, to the UK and overseas
Professional international horse transporters handle the route, the rest stops and the paperwork, and we are happy to recommend companies we know.
- Within the EU: the horse travels with its passport and an official health certificate issued through the EU TRACES system shortly before departure.
- To the United Kingdom: an export health certificate is required, and the horse enters Great Britain through a border control post with advance notification. Your transporter arranges both.
- To the USA and Canada: horses usually fly from Amsterdam, Liège or Frankfurt. On arrival in the USA they go into import quarantine; geldings are normally released after a few days, while mares and stallions need additional testing for contagious equine metritis (CEM), which takes longer.
Your transporter will give you exact costs and timings for your destination.
What does it cost?
Besides the purchase price, plan for the pre-purchase examination, the transport and, for buyers overseas, quarantine and import fees. The price of the horse itself depends on age, training, pedigree and health. You will find our current horses and prices under Holsteiner horses for sale.
Next steps
Have a look at our Holsteiner horses for sale and our young horses, read more about the Holsteiner breed, or contact us directly.