The steps of the purchase
01
Meet with an advisor
We will have an interview during which you will tell us all about your project; how you would like your horse to be physically, what type of riding you will do with him, what is your level of riding, what type of boarding awaits him, if other people around you will ride him……
A whole series of details that are very important to us, as they help us to advise you.
Every horse has a personality, and the one you are going to buy should match yours and what you expect from him.
No. The interview is free. After the interview, we will let you know if we can help you find the type of horse you are looking for within your budget.
We can do this by telephone or by videoconference if you prefer to see your interlocutor. If you would like to do so, all you have to do is book an appointment below.
02
Contract our service
If, after the interview, you want us to get to work finding your horse, we will open a dossier with all your details and specify the services you want us to take care of.
The cost of opening your file is ___€. Non refundable.
As soon as you have paid this amount, we will dedicate ourselves body and soul to the search for the horse of your dreams.
- We will examine together which horses of the catalogue and our archives could match your search.
- If you decide to come to Spain, we will do a personalized search to find other possible candidates that suit you so that you can try several during your stay.
- We will send you more recent photos and/or videos of the horses you like.
- We will arrange a video conference with the horse owner and the horse so that you can observe the horse's behavior in real time and ask any questions you wish.
- We will help you with the negotiation.
- We will send a trusted veterinarian if you wish to carry out a pre-purchase examination.
- We will draw up the sale and purchase contract.
- We will find you the best transporter to bring the horse to you as soon as possible and we will follow up until he arrives at your stable.
- If you decide to pick him up yourself, we will also take care of the transport authorizations you will need.
- We'll send you the forms and instructions you need so updating your horse's papers in your country won't be a headache.
No.
Obtaining information will not cost you anything.
The only information that we will not be able to give you until you have contracted the intermediation service is information relating to the horse which allows you to contact the owner directly, such as the full name, the card of origin, the stud farm where the horse is, etc.
In that case, we can run a search to find him wherever he is.
Don't forget that we have been doing this for more than 10 years and that we have dozens of contacts in the equestrian world, both in Spain and Portugal. So unless you're looking for something impossible, and we will tell you during the interview, we can assure you that we will find him.
What we cannot guarantee, is that he will be within your budget.
We think you should buy the horse you like the most.
However, please remember that there are several people working for you. If you have seen a horse you like elsewhere, please let us know as soon as possible so that we do not waste our time.
We can ;
– Send a horse rider to test the horse and tell you how ridden it is, both on the track and outside.
– Send a veterinarian to do a pre-purchase examination.
– Organize transport and follow up
– Take care of customs clearance if the export is done outside the EC
– Suggest a training center where you can leave your horse for dressage training.
– Help you with the purchase of the equipment you need for your horse (saddle, travel protections, etc.)
Let us know which service you would like to engage and we will send you an invoice by email. Payment is made by bank transfer.
03
See and try the horse
Once you have chosen a specific horse and confirmed the date of your visit to Spain/Portugal, we will scan that area to find other horses for sale that match the horse profile you are looking for.
This way, you can try several horses and choose the one you like best.
If you are not willing or able to come and see him in person, we'll do our best to show him to you as if you were there. Please note that IberHorse horses have been tested and selected by experts, so they are all good.
We will give you details about how they are ridden and what their character is. Likewise, if you send us a video of you riding, we will be able to tell you if your riding level matches the level required by the horse.
Unfortunately not. No owner will let his horse go without being paid first. However, you can try the horse as much as you want on the spot.
Physically
Before buying a horse, you will have seen him in several videos and probably also in a videoconference. Physically, there will be no surprises, except for the best, because horses are often more beautiful in reality than on camera.
Health
Their state of health will be certified by a veterinarian if you decide to do a examination before purchase.
This is something we always advise you to do, because;
>> We are horse riders and do not have the skills to be able to ensure that he is in perfect health.
>> We do not do flexion tests. We limit ourselves to ride them and do a general visual and tactile examination.
>> Maybe something has happened since we last saw him that we don't know about.
Obviously, if we see something wrong during the test and we consider it might be a risk, we will not offer him to you…those horses are immediately discarded.
Character:
As for his character, you will see thatit will be exactly as we told you. If he is wary at first, that's normal… sometimes very sensitive horses need a few days or weeks to feel safe and trust their new owner.
Give him time, if you see that the relationship is not improving day by day, call us and explain your problem.
We are also here to help you after purchase. We will study your case and offer you solutions to solve the problem.
Your feeling on horseback
The only thing we can't tell you from a distance is how you will feel when you ride him.
In general, Iberian horses adapt very well to changes and quickly learn what their new horse rider asks of them.
Indeed, although the aids are the same in your country and in Spain, sometimes the way of riding is not the same.
It may happen that you ask him things and he doesn't understand them at first, because he is used to the way his previous horse rider rides.
Or you may be used to riding another horse, with a different rhythm and different demands, and feel strange on this one.
Again, give yourself some time to get used to him. This time can last a few minutes, a few hours, days or weeks… it depends on both of you.
In all cases, you can also call us and ask us for advice.
It is important to us that your purchase is a success. We want the horse you bought through us to be the one that makes you happy every day.
If this is not the case, we advise you to sell him and start a new search.
This happens very rarely…we've only had 4 cases in 10 years, but to be honest I warn you that it can happen.
Horses are very sensitive and it may be that for one reason or another the horse is not comfortable in his new home and of course if he is not comfortable you will not be either.
It may also be that the horse requires a higher level of riding than the one you have and you cannot solve it in a few lessons.
Or simply that your personalities are not compatible.
In all these cases, and although the purpose of buying a horse is not to sell him, but to make him part of your life for many years, we can only advise you to look for another home for him.
If this happens to you, call us, tell us about your case and we will do our best to resell him for FREE as soon as possible;
>> We will place an ad in our online catalog mentioning where he is. You will see that you will quickly get visitors to go try him out.
>> We will publish him in pages of advertisements of horses for sale in your country, but also internationally.
>> We will spread the advert on different social networks such as Instagram and Facebook of IberHorse and horse selling groups.
> We will offer him to people in your area who contact us to looking for a horse.
As soon as an interested person shows up, we will put you in direct contact with them so that you can carry out the transaction directly with the buyer.
We do not charge any commission or fees for this management, quite the contrary.
If this happens to you, as compensation, we will offer you a FREE clinical veterinary examination of the next horse you buy from us.
We recommend a minimum of 3 days, 2 days to try the horses and a third day to ride the horse(s) you like best and confirm your choice.
We can do that if you want, but it would incur extra costs and is not really necessary.
If you choose an international airport such as Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga or Alicante, you will find direct flights on low cost airlines that serve these cities quite frequently.
Accommodation can be found on any booking site, such as Booking or Expedia.
However, we will tell you where to stay according to the itinerary that we have prepared for you.
Flight, hotel, meals, car rental, petrol… for 2 people, 3-4 days, it usually costs around 500€.
Of course, it all depends on the airline you are traveling with, the type of hotel you book, the type of car you rent, the dates of the trip….. Etc.
Yes. We will organize your itinerary and schedule appointments to make the most of your stay in Spain/Portugal so that you can try as many horses as possible.
We will send you by WhatsApp the exact locations of the stables where the horses are so that it is very easy for you to find them.
We will stay in constant contact by phone. If you need to bring an appointment forward, delay it or change the itinerary, let us know and we will do it for you.
Of course, you tell us how much time you have available to visit the stables and we will arrange appointments within the time slot you indicate.
I (Inés) will be available on the phone at all times for anything you may need during your stay in Spain/Portugal and I will act as an interpreter if you need it.
This will not be necessary, but if you would like someone to accompany you from your arrival at the airport and on all your journeys, we can also provide this service.
However, please note that this is a paid service and costs slightly more than €100 per day.
We work with breeders, professional horse riders, horse dealers and private individuals. the whole Iberian Peninsula, and not only in Andalusia. For this reason, we can assure you that if the horse of your dreams exists, we will find him.
Yes, all our experts are in Spain or Portugal.
>> We do not offer horses that we have not tested before.
>> We export to the world stallion
>> By keeping the horses in Spain we can offer more competitive prices as we do not incur any costs.
If you need time to reflect, because you liked several horses, take it.
You don't need to give an immediate answer.
However, you must bear in mind that the horse market in the peninsula is very active and if you wait too long the horse may be sold and you will have to start the search again.
Of course not, you don't have to buy something you don't like.
If during your trip you don't find the horse of your dreams in your budget or if the veterinary visit reveals major risks and you want to try again on a second trip, go ahead, we will always be here to help you.
04
Book the horse
A horse will remain for sale until the seller has received a deposit.
To prevent the seller from selling your chosen horse while we carry out veterinary tests and paperwork, you will need to leave a deposit.
This amount may vary depending on the price of the horse and the seller.
Payment will be made by bank transfer to IberHorse, and we will be responsible for his custody until we get the results of the veterinary tests.
If the result of the pre-purchase examination is negative, you will be refunded the full amount paid as a deposit.
If the test is positive, this amount will be paid to the seller and deducted from the total price of the horse.
05
Veterinary visit
A pre-purchase examination carried out by a professional veterinarian is not compulsory, but it guarantees the good health of the animal you are about to acquire.
We strongly advise you to ensure the health of your horse before buying him.
Rest assured, we have a team of the best vets in each region. They will examine the horse thoroughly and write a detailed bilingual report in English and Spanish which you will receive by e-mail.
The cost of this examination is always borne by the buyer.
The veterinary visit takes place in several stages
The veterinarian verifies that the description of the booklet corresponds, the microchip, the vaccinations.
The veterinarian will first examine the stationary horse (conformation, general condition, absence of wounds or externally visible lesions, legs conformation, etc.). Then, he carries out a complete clinical examination: cardiac and pulmonary auscultation, state of the mucous membranes, examination of the eyes, mouth, etc.
Consists of a series of tests: Feet pinch test (detection of tenderness), joint flexion tests, joint extension tests, patella mobility test, checkcation of the flexibility of the column, absence of heat at the level of the vertebrae
The veterinarian watches him trot in a straight line on a hard floor (back and forth), then he does the bends again, but keeping each joint flexed for 1 minute. The horse starts trotting immediately. If the appearance is the same before and after flexion, the test is negative, otherwise it is positive and reveals a problem concerning the joint tested or neighboring structures. Then, he looks at the horse in a circle, at both hands and three legs, to detect possible abnormalities in the kneecaps, muscles and tendons.
Depending on the result of the examination and the use you are going to give it to your horse (leisure, sport, etc.), the veterinarian may recommend that you take x-rays of; feet, giblets, hocks, stifles, cervicals, back...
These X-rays are meant to rule out possible future injury issues due to osteoarthritis, osteochondrosis OCD, navicular disease…
- Orthopedic ultrasound: tendons and ligaments.
- Transrectal ultrasound: examination of the female genitalia and pelvis
- Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract: confirms or rules out the presence of cornage
- Blood analysis: search for anemia, signs of inflammation, abnormal functioning of certain organs (kidneys, liver, etc.)
- Blood analysis: doping/drug residue screening.
- Coggins test (screening for Equine Infectious Anemia.
- Coprology: allows to know the level of parasitic infestation of the horse (intestinal worms).
- Piro-Like serology: screening for piroplasmosis, Lyme disease, erlichiosis and leptospirosis.
Payment for the service is made in advance, by bank transfer, upon receipt of the invoice.
Of course, but if not, we'll videotape all movement tests for you to watch or show your vet.
Most insurance companies accept it. Although there are insurances that ask you to fill out their own form. If this is your case, send it to us and we will ask the veterinarian to do it. This service is usually free.
A horse can be castrated at any age. What must be taken into account, to minimize the risk, is the size of the testicles. If they are very large, it must be done in a clinic to avoid risks and this makes the operation much more expensive.
It is also important to avoid very hot periods, as there are many flies and this can increase the risk of infection.
If the Iberian foal is castrated at a young age, the neck will not develop and the croup will probably be more prominent.
If you like baroque models and want him to develop his neck, we advise you to castrate him when he reaches adulthood, after 6 years.
Castration is a simple operation, but the incision is left open so that it can heal on its own and cicatinterior riser.
We recommend waiting at least 3 weeks before the horse goes on a trip to give the wound time to close completely.
Remember that the trip is long, that it lasts several days, that the horse will rest in different stables… so it is better that the wound is completely closed to avoid possible infections.
The behavior of a horse depends on its instinct and learning.
Sexual behavior is essentially instinctive and depends largely on hormones. In the case of a stallion horse, they depend on testosterone, a hormone that is primarily produced in the testicles.
When the testicles are removed, the sexual behavior of the horse changes. He will no longer warm up with other horses or mares, he will not need to be insulated and you can keep him with other horses without any problem.
However, if he has already covered, he has a learning that he can continue to reproduce even after being neutered.
If the horse is intact and behaves well with its horse rider and other horses, it will continue to behave well after castration.
Geldings are generally easier to handle than stallions because they are more docile.
It depends on each horse… In general, a noticeable change is already seen after a few weeks, but the complete change will take place after about 6 months, although some horses can take up to a year.
06
Purchase contract and payment
If the veterinarian's assessment is positive, we will prepare the purchase and sell agreement so that you and the seller can formalize the transaction.
Along with the contract, you will also receive a copy of the horse's papers.
At this point, you will also proceed with the payment of the horse. Payment is normally made by bank transfer, but you can also do it in cash (up to €10.000) if you are on site.
Cheques are not accepted.
If the seller is a professional, he will issue an invoice. VAT in Spain is 21%.
Transactions between professionals who are registered asintra-community operators and those in which thebuyer is not from EU are exempt from VAT.
No owner will allow a horse to leave their facility until he has been paid in full.
It is very important that you keep this in mind when booking transport as an international bank transfer can take several days to arrive.
07
Transport
We work with reputable international horse transport companies to ensure that our horses travel in the best possible condition.
If you have decided to contract this service with us, your horse will leave on the first available truck for his destination.
Trucks go out almost weekly, so be prepared to receive your horse 1-2 weeks after the seller has received payment.
Of course, we will keep you informed of each stage of the journey.
If you decide to pick it up yourself or have this service performed by another company, we will take care of the necessary authorizations to make it easier for you.
If you hire a group trip, it will depend on the route the other horses traveling in the truck will have to take. It may take 2-7 days.
If you hire a private trip, it will be carried out as soon as possible, respecting the mandatory stops and rests. It may take 1-3 days, depending on the distance.
If the driver is at fault or if the truck has an accident, the transport insurance is responsible.
However, if the horse falls ill or has an accident, the responsibility lies with the owner of the horse.
We therefore advise you to take out civil liability, accident and mortality insurance when signing the contract for the purchase of the horse.
08
Horse documentation
Contrary to what many people believe, this is a very easy procedure, in which, of course, we will also accompany you.
All you have to do is register the horse with the competent body in your country and if your horse is a thoroughbred (PRE, PSL, CDE…), inform the studbook that the horse now has a new owner and a new address.
When the time comes, we will send you the precise instructions and the forms to send.
It is advisable to do this as soon as possible. In most European countries, the deadline for submitting documents is three weeks from the day of arrival.
