Asked to Pay Just to View a PRE Stallion in Europe? That's Why EquiConnections Exists
A Smarter, More Transparent Way to Buy Horses in Europe
Not long ago, I came across a striking young PRE stallion for sale online in Europe. He looked solidly built, had nice movement, allegedly good x-rays and my hope was he had the brain I was searching for: a sensible, trainable horse and a thoughtful, willing dressage prospect to bring up the levels for meaning, not medals. A horse for the joy of the journey, together. Curious, I messaged the listing agent to ask for a few video clips and the horse’s location, mentioning where I was based and that, if I was interested, I’d drive over, get an Airbnb, and go see him.
That’s when the red flags started.
The agent was polite enough at first. But no matter how I phrased it, she wouldn’t tell me the name of the stable. Not even the city. All I got was that the horse was in Andalucía. Um, well, yeah… Andalucía is HUGE. She replied, “The horse is 4 hours from Alicante,” and that was it. This wasn’t just me being nosy. I needed to book an Airbnb nearby if I wanted to see the horse. But still, no info.
Then came the kicker:
“I charge €100 to show you the horse,” she told me.
Non-refundable, unless I bought the horse in which it would be applied to purchase price.
I paused. I didn’t want to sound like a know-it-all, but seriously… I’ve bought horses in several countries, from Germany to the Netherlands and throughout the U.S., and through my experience buying horses in Europe, not once had I paid just to view a horse for sale. Nor was I asking for a full day of hand-holding or a curated tour. I was happy to go solo, meet the seller or trainer directly, and handle logistics on my own. But that wasn’t allowed either.
“No one sees my client’s horses without me present,” she said. She went on about how hard she’d worked to build her network and how some buyers just waste her time. Having sold my fair share of horses, I 100% understood where she was coming from, but still, the lack of transparency didn’t sit right. What if the horse wasn’t represented accurately? What if I drove four hours only to discover a mismatch?
Later that week, I mentioned the experience to a friend and fellow lifetime equestrian.
“Oh yeah,” he said, “that’s becoming more common now. I’ve heard of it in Spain and Germany. Some agents charge just to visit horses, even if you’re not asking them to come.”
I was shocked. And honestly? A little angry.
Not because €100 is unreasonable, it’s not, in the right context. But because the entire interaction made me feel like a suspect, not a serious buyer. It was gatekeeping at its worst: vague details, no trainer name, zero transparency, and a paywall before I even set foot on the property, much less in the saddle.
That’s when it hit me:
This is exactly why EquiConnections was built.
I never want another rider, especially someone new to buying abroad, to feel like they’re being tested or taken advantage of just for wanting to try a horse.
EquiConnections was designed to make the process of buying horses in Europe (and throughout the world) simpler, smarter and more honest. We believe in clear listings, realistic videos, seller accountability, and no-nonsense connections between buyers and sellers.
If you’re a rider who’s had enough of cryptic responses, shadowy locations, or “pay to play” policies before a handshake is even made, you’re not alone.
Or if you’re an agent simply tired of the game and wanting to reach serious buyers, you’ve landed in the right place.
EquiConnections has rethought how horses are sold online for riders seeking clarity and confidence.
Curious what transparent horse buying should look like? Read how one rider found her dream Lusitano in Pamplona—sight unseen.
