Why do draft horses have the long hair around their hoofs?

September 30th, 2007 | by drafthorse |
draft horse
Megster asked:


what does it do? Is there a story behind it? Why is it only in the draft horses? How did it get there? Thanks for your time. Me and My mom asked my trainer and she didn’t know, maybe you will.

ANTON
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  1. 8 Responses to “Why do draft horses have the long hair around their hoofs?”

  2. By love, love me do on Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    im not sure the why… but friesians also have “feathers” too.
    i really am not sure but maybe its to keep those joints warm during winter? except you would expect them to lose the feathers during summer…
    hmm this is a very good question!

  3. By whatever on Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    Not all draft horses have feathers (the long hair on their feet).

    The most famously feathered breed, the Clydesdale (http://www.mypets.net.au/petimages/clydesdale.jpg

  4. By H is for H♥rse馬 on Oct 1, 2007 | Reply

    That is just a charactoristic of a heavy horse. Onlyl some have these. They are called FEATHERS! I dont think there is a story behind it but you could research it! Have fun!!
    :) hope i helped a lot!! ♥

  5. By txpainthorse on Oct 3, 2007 | Reply

    That is just the way they are born just like Arabians who have dished faces. Some people have more hair on their bodies than others…some people have dark skin and other nationalities have large noses..no special reason …it is just a significant characteristic or feature.

  6. By Matti M on Oct 6, 2007 | Reply

    i don’t now

  7. By Jay R on Oct 6, 2007 | Reply

    Good Question Draft horses have long hair around their hoofs because they where originated in a cold climates.

  8. By gboynguerrero on Oct 9, 2007 | Reply

    usually the horses with feathering come from humid climates (friesians come from the netherlands) they have the feathering to keep bugs off of their feet or to help keep them warm in cold weather.

  9. By see arr harr on Oct 11, 2007 | Reply

    It’s not only draft breeds; nor is it all draft breeds.

    Feathering is to protect the heels from rain. It’s not to keep the feet warm; very very little heat is lost through the feet, and if a breed is interested in saving heat it should evolve shorter canon bones, not longer feathers! Good quality hair down the back of the leg allows rain to run over the top hairs, keeping the heels and fetlocks dry and free from infection.

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