Anyone here have experience importing horses from Spain or Portugal? Any sellers or agents to avoid or recommend? Vets to avoid or recommend? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!
1 Like
I just did earlier this year.
Are you planning a trip to try horses with an agent or do you plan to buy without going?
I used the popular agent “Sofie Andalusitano” which is the name of her Telegram channel and website. The ads are listed on the Telegram page so signing up with her there is the only way to view all her listings. Sofie will work with you in either case, visiting and trying them or buying and importing without going over. She will recommend going to see them in person if possible. Lots of info on how to do that on her website.
I did not go Spain myself. We bought a 2018 stallion sight unseen off his videos and photos and show records and had him gelded in Spain. He shipped in late March.
Sofie handles the logistics of vetting, negotiating prices, setting up the shipping, whatever quarantine or time needed at the quarantine/processing center in Spain, and the over road travel between places. Her vet was very communicative and helpful for the vetting as well as the castration and recovery.
She was recommended to me by a trainer in my barn who has imported many horses from Spain, both ways-- some going in person and others off videos, for herself and for clients. We have a LOT of Iberian horses in our all-dressage boarding barn.
She is not an agent who will ride horses for you and report back from that aspect. There is another agent (actually a pair of agents) called Jamie and Jane who will do that. They mainly use their Facebook page to list ads.
3 Likes
Worst situation of my horse life. 2020 import of Lusitano from Spain.
“Owner” was a breeder/finder well known to a number of people in Florida. I had seen some of the horses and heard of others that were as expected by the buyers.
Horse passed the PPE, had my vet involved, all was well. He then went to be gelded prior to shipping.
Horse went to some unknown farm not back to trainer (another lie) for healing, and also unknown to me was an eye issue on one side. The latter identified when he arrived in Netherlands for flight. Possible loss of vision- appeared to be about a month old. We shipped directly to Univ of Fla where after tests and specialists etc he was diagnosed with a neurological disease impacting cranial nerves (face) and hind end. Auto immune related they think, and possibly triggered by the gelding as he was put under for gelding. He declined pretty quickly and we had to put him down.
Owner of horse or whoever she was, lied to me so many times - Owner, then “partner” then only “agent” Horse was not where he was supposed to be after gelding - though I specifically asked. Some vet actually took a pic of his eye prior to shipping, it clearly wasn’t right, but they didn’t share with me. Offered to make me whole, in writing and in voice mails, never saw a nickel. On and on.
I had some legal grounds but it is difficult to go through an international suit, and would probably have cost more than I was out of pocket.
Be VERY careful. Get everything in writing. Question everything. Be sure to do neuro tests as part of PPE just in case. Communicate every day while you wait. These horses have become so popular, everyone is selling them. My trainer, who was just in Germany looking at some WBs heard stories from his contacts about horses from Spain, questionable health, questionable quality.
5 Likes
Trust no one. Paranoia is your friend. All the stories about “horse trading” are there for a reason
5 Likes
So sorry for you and that poor horse!
2 Likes
Thank you. I will say that UF veterinary care was outstanding. An assortment of specialists - ophthalmology, neurology, internal med were all doing their thing, I received multiple updates daily, along with pics and video clips. They consulted with at least one outside neurologist. They tested for many things, determined that eye and facial issues were not trauma related, tried several courses of meds. The vet students groomed him, they turned him out or hand grazed him. They kept in close contact with my insurance people.
2 Likes
bless insurance. I just bought a new policy this year with higher limits. Guess it says something about the costs of clinic care if $25k surgical is now possible.
1 Like
Thank goodness you chose to insure, I had a friend with a similar situation but she did not insure. ouch!
WOW, that is shocking and scary. I’m not sure if costs that’s because costs have escalated OR the fact that they will try to save every single horse, every single time.
What an awful story, @2tempe. I went to Spain twice horse shopping. I used the same agents both times. And after the second trip, found another agent that sold me my current horse. If you will PM me , I can give you names.
I was very fortunate I am still in touch with my agents as friends. I can also recommend a super super vet in southern Spain. His English is good and he will communicate with your vet.
I never shopped in Portugal, but I rode multiple Lusitanos as well as PRE’s. I visited Portugal on vacation and it’s a lovely place. I love Spain and Portugal. If you get the chance to go, please do!!
Just for information, my first purchase from Spain was a stallion and he was gelded there with no complications. The recovery took a little longer as he was 12 at the time and had many babies. But just out of caution.
Thanks, but it is not me that is thinking about shopping. I have an older lusitano (21) who came from Brazil as a stallion and was still a stallion when I bought him @12. I admit bias but he is as close to perfect as I could ever want. That said: I would LOVE to see Portugal and Spain one of these days.
3 Likes
I bought one of mine directly from a Lusitano stud in Spain - Yeguada La Perla
No agent, did a lot of online research on bloodlines ( I wanted it to be as far as possible from my other Lusos, athletic, sound in body and mind and a fancy colour (cream dilute) found this stud that ticked all my boxes and arranged a visit.
Had a brilliant trip, the then manager now full owner Leonie is Austrian and spoke fluent English (& Spanish & German) I was taken on a full tour, met all the stallions, mares, foals and youngsters and then was specifically shown the fillies they had picked out that fitted my wish list.
Agreed price on the one that grabbed me, they gave me choice of vets and I had a non ridden five stage plus x-rays.
I used their usual transporter who was Spanish as they had a few others leaving to new homes elsewhere in Europe around the same time, so I had to deal with the import paperwork myself. Generally UK transporters take all that on. It wasn’t too onerous a task then but will be now re Brexit.
She arrived safe and sound and has been everything I could have wished for since.
They have sold to the USA I believe, there was an American couple there viewing colts the same day I visited.
Highly recommend them if they have what you are looking for.
3 Likes
I’ve been over a fair bit shopping - both on my own, with my trainers, and with agents. Send me a pm if you have any questions.
Thanks! I’d love your good contacts!
Ugg! Really sorry for your awful experience!
Thanks!
I say this about importing from anywhere, but especially places where Piro is more prevalent…do not sign the sales contract (or sign one with a written contingency) or wire any money until all of the bloodwork comes back squeaky clean. I’ve only bought from Germany, but my vet there says the same thing.
Acquaintance of mine bought a horse from Spain that had found his way to a sales barn in NL, and sent the money and then horse came back Piro positive. Luckily, sellers (not the agent) agreed to a refund, but they had no obligation to do that. In which case, this person would have owned a lovely horse who would have to stay in Europe and be resold there.
1 Like
Piroplasmosis is a huge issue it you are importing from anywhere outside of US…not just Spain or Portugal. Piro is endemic in most of Europe and Latin America
1 Like
Plus one for the confirming your negative Piro test - I had to get two done due to a delay between purchase and transport. I had the first one pulled before I vetted the horse. I know someone who bought a horse that was Piro negative in Europe, but tested positive when she landed in the US. Horse had to be sent back to be resold, it was very sad and quite stressful for everyone involved.
Once you have purchased the horse, it is a good idea to immediately secure insurance coverage. I was able to get the cost of transport worked into my policy (on top of purchase price) plus an additional rider for coverage during transport. Better safe than sorry.
Yes, yes, and yes re Piro.
I couldn’t import a horse that I owned and loved for many years whilst living in Europe when I moved back to the states. I was heartbroken. I ended up selling him even though I knew I’d come back in a few years because the perfect person came along (someone that I knew quite well).
3 Likes
