Hoofine vs BigEq
A safety net for six-figure show horses, layered onto pro discovery.
BigEq is the go-to US marketplace for hunter, jumper and equitation horses, deeply integrated into the show circuit where many sellers are known professionals. It's still a classifieds model, though: high-value deals are wired privately with no integrated payment protection, and trust rests on reputation rather than platform-enforced KYC. Even between professionals, miscommunication happens — Hoofine's buyer protection and verified identities protect both sides of an expensive purchase.
BigEq — bigeq.com. Comparison is based on each platform's publicly described model and may change.
Every payment comes with buyer protection
BigEq is an advertising venue — buyer and seller arrange payment privately, so a wire or deposit leaves you exposed. On Hoofine you pay through Stripe, never by wire to a stranger, and if the horse isn't delivered, or you report a problem within 48 hours of handover, we help reverse the payment.
Every seller's identity is verified
BigEq relies on basic account registration, so you may have little more than a name and a phone number. Hoofine verifies seller identity (KYC) before a sale, so you know who you're dealing with.
Nothing is charged unless the sale completes
Instead of paying listing fees whether or not your horse sells, listing on Hoofine is free. A completed sale costs the seller 3% of the price, and the buyer 4.8% plus €69.99 on top of the agreed price — both shown before anyone commits. A sale that falls through costs neither side anything.
Hoofine vs BigEq, feature by feature
| Feature | Hoofine | BigEq |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer protection on every sale | ||
| Identity-verified sellers (KYC) | Pro reputation | |
| 48-hour inspection window | ||
| Dispute resolution on the transaction | Report ads only | |
| Public pedigree database | Per-listing only | |
| Breeding & stallion-at-stud network | ||
| Multi-currency, built for cross-border | ||
| Free to list | Listing fees | |
| Cost to sell | 3% of the price, only on a completed sale | Listing fees regardless of outcome |
| Cost to buyThe fixed fee drops to €24.99 on sales under €2,000. | 4.8% + €69.99 added at checkout, shown before you pay | No platform fee — payment is arranged privately |
Fees shown are current at the time of writing. The pricing page is the authority, and buyer protection explains what the buyer's fee pays for.
Why buyers and sellers choose Hoofine
- Buyer protection on high-value show-horse purchases
- Verified identity even within the professional circuit
- Cross-border and multi-currency for imported prospects
Hoofine vs BigEq — FAQ
Why use Hoofine alongside or instead of BigEq?
BigEq is invaluable for finding hunter/jumper and equitation horses through the professional network. But buying a six-figure horse by wire still carries risk. Hoofine adds buyer protection and identity verification as a safety net — protecting reputations and relationships, not replacing your trainer's expertise.Does BigEq protect the payment?
No — BigEq is a classifieds marketplace; high-value payments are arranged privately, typically by wire or certified check. Hoofine takes the payment through Stripe, with a 48-hour window after delivery to report problems.How much does Hoofine cost?
Listing is free, and there are two fees on a completed sale. The seller pays 3%, deducted from the payment to their Stripe account. The buyer pays 4.8% plus a €69.99 service fee on top of the agreed price — the fixed part drops to €24.99 on sales under €2,000 — shown before you pay, never added afterwards. Nothing is charged on a cancelled or refunded transaction. Current figures are always on the pricing page.