Horses for sale — verified, escrow-protected

Buying a horse on Hoofine

• Should I have the horse vetted?

  Yes, and instruct the vet yourself rather than accepting one the seller has arranged. A pre-purchase examination is an opinion about risk for the job you describe, not a certificate of soundness — so tell the vet what you actually intend to do with the horse, and read the report before any money moves.

• How does the money move?

  Through escrow: the funds are held and released once the agreed conditions are met, so neither side has to go first. Escrow governs the payment only. It does not examine the horse, verify a passport or make a seller honest, and it is not a substitute for going to see the horse yourself.

• Can I buy from another country?

  Yes. The passport travels with the horse, an official vet issues a health certificate within a few days of travel, and a transporter will refuse a load whose documents do not match. Start the paperwork the week you agree the price rather than the week the lorry comes.

• How do I know the price is fair?

  Compare like with like — age, height, training level, competition record and what the horse is genuinely suitable for — and remember the purchase price is the smallest number in the first year. Livery, shoeing, insurance and routine veterinary care will exceed it.

• There is nothing here that suits me. What now?

  Post what you are looking for on the Wanted board and let sellers come to you. You describe the horse you want; people with a match reply with a specific animal rather than a phone number. It is often faster than refreshing a search.