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 escrow, and trust rests on reputation rather than platform-enforced KYC. Even between professionals, miscommunication happens — Hoofine's escrow 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.
Your money is protected by escrow
BigEq is an advertising venue — buyer and seller arrange payment privately, so a wire or deposit leaves you exposed. On Hoofine every payment is held in escrow and only released after delivery, with a 48-hour inspection window.
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, escrow-backed sale costs the seller 4.8% plus $69.99 from the payout, and the buyer 3% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Escrow 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 sellThe fixed fee drops to $24.99 on sales under $2,000. | 4.8% + $69.99 from the payout, only on a completed sale | Listing fees regardless of outcome |
| Cost to buy | 3% 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 escrow explains what the buyer’s 3% actually pays for.
Why buyers and sellers choose Hoofine
- Escrow 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 escrow and identity verification as a safety net — protecting reputations and relationships, not replacing your trainer's expertise.Does BigEq hold funds in escrow?
No — BigEq is a classifieds marketplace; high-value payments are arranged privately, typically by wire or certified check. Hoofine holds the payment in escrow until the horse is delivered and inspected.How much does Hoofine cost?
Listing is free, and there are two fees on a completed sale. The seller pays 4.8% plus a $69.99 service fee, deducted from the payout at release — the fixed part drops to $24.99 on sales under $2,000. The buyer pays 3% on top of the agreed price, shown before the payment is funded, never added afterwards. Nothing is charged on a cancelled or refunded transaction. Current figures are always on the pricing page.