Horse shopping in the Netherlands - tips!

[DressageLin]

So after saving my pennies, I am accompanying my trainer and a friend to the Netherlands to shop for a young horse to bring along in dressage. I have my older gelding that I’ll still continue to ride, but it feels like the right time to start slowly bringing along another one.

The weather looks like it will be highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s with rain many of the days we are there. We are going to be driving around with an agent to shop, so I’m assuming breeches and a warm jacket should be suitable. I’m packing a sturdy raincoat in case we try horses outside. (I’ll also pack some casual clothes in the chance we get some time to actually do something non-horsey). Haven’t exactly figured out the luggage situation with boots, helmet, etc. I love to travel out of a carry-on, but may need an actual checked bag for this trip.

Any tips for this whole experience? I trust implicitly my trainer who has successfully matched lots of people with talented and suitable horses and he has connections that he’s worked with for years. Hopefully we’ll both agree on the right horse.

Tack shops? Tell me where to shop! If I don’t come home with a horse, I intend to come home with cool horse stuff!

Shipping/Insurance/Vetting – So I know nothing about this and will heavily rely on trainer for this side of things. I’ve googled, but is there any particular advice about any of these things?

And because I’ve experienced a little bit of negativity from some folks I’ve told, any positive experiences doing this are welcome, too!

[2DogsFarm]

I went on a 5-day riding vacation in Spain (followed by 3 days in Madrid) & took paddock boots in a carryon plus a helmet bag so I did not have to check that item either (counted as my +1).
Be aware, on your return to the US, Customs will want to treat your boots & that can hold up getting through the line.

In the Netherlands, if you are near Eindhoven get to the Epplejeck tack store.
Comparable to Dover here for selection & good prices.
~7yrs ago I paid 60EU for kneepatch breeches that are still holding up great.

I LOVED the Netherlands, but I was not on a buying trip, went to visit a Dutch friend.
Still, you will get to see the countryside - which is just beautiful - and everywhere you go food is Awe-Some!

P.S.
Dutch is an incredibly hard language to learn, but all Dutch learn English in schools so you s/b able to communicate.
As your trainer has connections s/b a non-issue.

[Puddin_Pie]

I just used Nichols Agency for the import of a Friesian mare. They handled the arrangements for everything. The company Horses2fly did the actual flight out of the Netherlands. The import company gave wonderful, timely updates and handled the initial NY quarantine to the transport to the NC quarantine. Be aware that a mare (or stallion) has a 19+day quarantine, which is going to add to your expense.

Also, make sure you get an international rider on any insurance, so the horse is covered from the moment of purchase, not just when it touches American soil. Good luck!

[The_Blonde_amp_The_Bay]

Did you go yet!? Find a new horse?! I’m heading over in early June on the same mission

If you haven’t gone yet, definitely some warmer clothes that you can layer if it looks rainy. Bring a pair of spurs. If you have a boot bag and WANT to just do carry on, it can be done. But it’s way more fun to have a half empty suitcase so you can shop.

Shipping/Insurance/Vetting – So I know nothing about this and will heavily rely on trainer for this side of things. I’ve googled, but is there any particular advice about any of these things?
— Get insurance as soon as you pay for the horse and have a contract. It will cover him or her during travel.
— Shipping I love the Dutta Corp. They’re just really great. IRT as well.

Usually you see the most horses in the first two days, go back on day three to try your ‘short list’ horses again and if you can arrange vetting quickly, stay for the vetting on day 4, 5 or 6 so you can film flexions etc and send the video to your local vet.

They have pretty awesome vets in Holland, usually the big barns have stallion inspection type vets so don’t fret too much. European vets can tend to be pretty lax about radiographs though, so don’t be afraid to ask for a more full set of films if you want them (you’ll pay per picture). I looove my vet at home so I send her confirmation photos, videos under saddle and videos of the flexions and she likes a huge range of x rays from Europe.

Have fun! YAY you!!

[Mardi]

Have you looked in the US ?

[CanteringCarrot]

I purchased my last horse in the Netherlands and my most recent in Spain. I do live in Germany, but I am from the US, and may end up back in the US, so I’ve done extensive research on importing. So far I’ve just “imported” inside the EU.

If I can fit everything in carry on, I will. I like having my luggage with me and knowing how it is handled. Usually I don’t check a bag unless I’m going somewhere 4+ days. It’s kind of personal preference and what space allows.

I always vet and end up doing 15+ x-rays after doing feet, hocks, front legs, stifle, back, etc. I’ve seen the general going rate be 20-40 Euro per picture. I then send them to my own vet for evaluation. Flexion, general exam, and any desired testing should be done too. I usually find an FEI Official Vet for this if I am unfamiliar with an area.

There are companies such as Dutta that will handle shipping from barn to airport to quarantine to your barn. That part is actually quite easy! The horse most be quarantined in NY, Miami, or LA I believe. Geldings are the easiest and cheapest. The horse will likely fly out of Amsterdam.

I always have insurance active on the day I sign the sales contract. I use a German company that I can sign up online or via the phone and they have super quick turn around. I imagine it is similar in the US. Without a doubt have insurance for/while shipping.

​​​​​​Obviously ride the horse. Thoroughly. To get a feel for general disposition and abilities. Do not be afraid to walk away or say no. This is a big expense after all!

I’m not sure what part of Holland you’ll be in, but I find the Dutch to be generally nice and fluent in English. I can possibly recommend shopping if I know the area. The countryside is beautiful! I’m actually pursuing a potentially living/working arrangement there for when my time is up in Gemany. It’s beautiful here too, but there is just something I like a little more there.

You are fortunate to be able to have this experience, and I hope that it is enjoyable!

[DressageLin]

Well, the week was incredible. Everyone was hospitable, the horses were gorgeous, and yet, I still did not come home with a horse.

I clicked with one 4 year old instantly. He was rideable, had the canter I have always dreamed of, and was a lover on the ground. Negotiated the price before leaving the Netherlands. The sellers had a full set of x-rays taken the day before I tried him and I sent them to my vet who found several concerning issues. I then had another vet review them who was less concerned, but noted the same issues. He felt it was a “maybe okay” for the future work. It was heart-breaking but I decided to pass. Moved on to a 6 year old that I liked very much, and he failed the x-ray review fairly spectacularly. Had x-rays of a 4 year old mare sent. She had a club foot and upright pastern on one side and there was some concerning issues on the x-rays in that exact area. Vets agreed this could likely spell trouble in serious work. Pass. My fourth choice was a really, really elegant Danish horse. The sellers had just had his neck and back x-rayed and sent us only the back to say they had just learned that it was clear kissing spine. I’ll admit that at that point, I cried a bit. Talk about first world problems, but I was definitely surprised that none of my top 4 had decent x-rays.

I tried 35 horses, but many were quite green and, frankly after getting run off with by one such green-bean, I ruled some of those out fairly quickly. Looking back, I wish I had eliminated the 3 year olds from my shopping list and tried more that were more schooled. I am much older and wiser since I last rode an athletic 3 year old. It was a big dose of reality that I am indeed an adult amateur who rides one horse a day.

So I am back to shopping in the U.S. I will say the quality of young horses for the money that can be bought over there is very hard to find in the U.S. The quality is absolutely here, but it’s typically outside of my budget. If I don’t find anything this summer, I won’t hesitate to make the trip again with my trainer in the fall. Others on the trip found lovely horses; it was just bad luck for me unfortunately.

[dressagegirl123]

Don’t worry about not having found what you want! You are much smarter to reject horses that might not work for you. Looking for 6 months is my norm! Your horse is out there. On your next trip, or the one after, you’ll find him/her!

[Mardi]

@DressageLin

So I am back to shopping in the U.S.

Welcome back. Sorry it didn’t work out for you overseas, but many US breeders and owners are happy that
you’ve reconsidered and will start looking here again. As you said, the quality is here.