Bringing horses to Costa Rica

[bbrunsca]

We will be moving to Costa Rica in a little over 2 years and we have horses. Has anyone brought horses to Costa Rica? Can you tell us the pros and cons of doing so? Also, can you tell us the particulars for bringing horses into the country? For those of you that have brought horses into the country, how well have they done?

[rosfreed]

Hi,
We moved to Costa Rica 5 months ago and our two horses are due to arrive Monday night! As you can guess, we are very excited! The only airport they can fly horses from is Miami, and since we lived in Az it cost a lot to get them across the country. My friend did the work in the US, I will get the shipper’s name for you, they were way the cheapest. There is a very nice Dutch lady called Githa who will help you with all the paperwork this end for $100.00…..it is well worth it! She has a good veterinarian, and she will arrnage transport also. I will ask her if it is OK to send you her name. She has a good tack store near Santa Ana.
As to how well they do, it seems to be according to where you live. If you are at 1000 metres or above, they are fine, but down on the beach areas, there is a lot of …..oh, I’ve forgotten the name, if you are in the US, it’s what we do a Coggins test for. Also there are snakes, a lot of horses get bitten by snakes, deadly. I got info from a girl who worked at a stables near Nosara, and she said she would not keep horses if she lived in the beach areas. We live above Alajuela, at 1500 metres, so it is more or less 16c to 23c, but of course humid and rainy, I DO NOT like the rain! But almost always the mornings are sunny, and you could ride.
Githa brings horses from Holland all the time, and they do fine, she lives in La Garita. They have more flies than we do because it’s lower, but still not many. She does dressage…what style do you ride, and what horses do you have? I have a quarter horse and a Rocky Mountain horse…I guess he will be the only one in Costa Rica.
Dow rite back and tell me where you are going to live, etc! My e mail is freed55@racsa.co.cr. My name is Rosalind
Hope to hear form you soon.

[keith]

Hi Rosfreed,

I don’t think you mentioned whether your horses were mares, stallions, or geldings? Are you planning on breeding the Rocky Mountain horse? It would be so great to own a Rocky Mountain breed in Costa Rica. Most of the horses I saw when there did not look too good although I’m sure there are plenty of well bred horses there if one looks for them but, I doubt there are many Rocky Mountain horses.

I can’t even begin to imagine what it cost to bring them in. Congratulations! Hope they arrive as planned. Pura Vida!

[Andrew]

There’s one question I would like you to clarify if you could please…

I was told that bringing horses to Costa Rica was not too complicated BUT, taking them back to the USA was VERY complicated.

Is that true? If so, could you please tell us why?

Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.com

[bbrunsca]

Hello Roaslind,

Thanks very much for your reply. Would love to get as much information as you can send us. Our property is in Puriscal – up in the mountains, over 3000 ft. My wife rides English and I ride Western. My wife was born with horses and I have recently been introduced to them. They are just wonderful. I love Rocky Mountain horses. I have a bad neck and Rocky Mountain gaits are just wonderful. Right now we have a half Peruvian Paso/TWH and 2 quarter horses. Just bought a 1/2 Paso Fin/Quarter horse. She is for me. I need something small though my wife would love to have a Thoroughbred!

We were wondering if horses brought in due well in Costa Rica. I can understand the problems near the beach.

I am sure you will hear from my wife!

Best,
Bob

[bnmbrown]

Hi. We are looking into moving to Costa Rica…all of us…two great danes, a dalmatian and a paint quarterhorse. I was wondering if anyone knew the cost of shipping a horse. I understand that he would have to be flown out of Miami. Is this still the only airport that he can fly out of?
How much did it cost…if you do not mind my asking.
Thanks.

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