Hello,
I have a 7 year old AQHA mare and an unregistered yearling colt (sire unknown!) in the United States, that I am having imported this summer. I've had the mare, Peachface Breeze, since she was a yearling ('adopted' during my gap year work in the States and trained by me every summer since then) and can't wait to finally have her on the same soil as me, BUT...am having concerns/anxieties/worries about the whole process. I'm having them quarantined and exported by Nedpoint Quarter Horses, at least as far as Amsterdam, and then hopefully to the UK by John Parker. Does anyone have any experience of either Nedpoint or John Parker or any other import/export companies?

I'm trying to get an overall idea of costs, besides that of quarantine and import, etc., such as tax and handling charges and am wondering if anyone could give my any kind of a breakdown of costs from their own experience of importing, is possible?

And to continue the onslaught of questions (I am desperate for any and all advice I can get to make it all as smooth as possible for the horses!)...the horses are out on pasture just about all year round. They are in North East Nevada where pickings are reasonably slim and the grass is definitely not as lush as ours here in the UK and am really worried about their transition to grass. I am planning to have them stabled for the first month, with a gradual transition to grass, as I hope to have them out on grass livery year-round as soon as they are ready. Does anyone have any tips on this process and also advice on whether they think a month of gradual turn-out is a sensible idea?

I'd love to hear from fellow QH/Western Riding enthusiasts, and all advice is very welcome!

Well I used Gordon Hamilton a few times and it cost £700 form Germany to the UK. He was very calm, quiet and patient and the horses arrived in good spirits.

I think gradual turnout is a great idea. Or put them onto a bare paddock and gradually extend the area.

Good luck

John Parker has a good reputation from everybody I spoke to when I was trying to buy a filly in the US.

I think you have to accept that however good the transporters some horses cope easily with the whole process but some find it much more stressful and take time to settle down.

Good luck!

We imported two mares from Canada in 2006 and whole process was very smooth. John Parker was very good and sorted out a VAT query very quickly.

We did the turnout very gradually as the mares had been in quarantine for a month before they flew. Literally 5-10 mins a day in hand for a couple of days, then increased by about 1/2 hour a day. We fed hay, not haylage, while they were in, and no hard feed at all. I think it was about a month before they were out 24/7. Probably overcautious, but it was problem free.

Good luck!

Hi katieadah,
I imported my mare three years ago and I wrote a whole article entitled "AQHA Palomino Mare for Sale" posted on this site and still in the archives, about the entire process.
I used Nedpoint and John Parker and the whole thing was totally painless. Both companies were brilliant to use and totally professional in all ways. Holly arrived in fantastic condition and seemed completely unconcerned about the whole deal.
I realise that many horses do not handle the trip as well as she did but she was fine.
As I remember, she went straight into our usual winter daily routine of early turn out and in her stable at night. She came from San Antonio, Texas and has not found our climate a problem. Actually, although she grows almost no winter coat, she neither needs or wants more than one good rug on at any time. She is much tougher in that respect than many other home bred horses on the yard.
I still have all the paperwork from her import and would be more than happy to have a chat with you about it, PM me if you think that would help.
Good luck with it all and hope it turns out well for you.

Cowboy

Hi Ive seen some horses arive at my trainers from the states with John parker
they seem to be ok some ended up with minor bumps, they seem a very professional firm with helpful and good staff if you PM quarterhorse mad on here she has imported a few and should be able to advise you..good luck