What are foal slippers?

25 February 2025

What are foal slippers? If you have seen them, consider yourself very lucky. These strange looking things are completely normal and they play a very important part in the birthing process.

These foal slippers, or eponychium, are rubbery capsules that completely cover the hooves of the newborn foal.

You have to be quick to see them, as these strange looking finger-like projections disappear rapidly after birth. As soon as the hoof makes contact with the air, they begin to disappear.

This may well sound like something straight out of Hogwarts, but actually they're just further proof that nature is incredible!

Foal slippers (which are also referred to as golden slippers or fairy fingers), protect the mare as the foal enters the birth canal, from the 'hard' hooves underneath.

If we think back to the days where wild horses would roam freely across the plains in herds, they would have been perhaps been at their most vulnerable when a mare was giving birth. The smell of the placenta would have attracted predators, so to have the very best chance of survival, both the mare and her foal needed to be on their feet as quickly as possible.

These seemingly magical, vanishing slippers allowed for just that. As soon as the foal was up on their feet, they would be able to run from any danger.

Quite incredible when you think about it ðŸŒ±

ðŸ“¸ Melody (Sales & Marketing at Simple System HQ), taken just moments after foaling down one of her own mares.

If you're expecting a foal this season, our experienced team are available to help with all aspects of feeding the mare, and in time, her foal. Contact the Feed Line on 01728 604 008 or complete our online form.

What are foal slippers?

25 February 2025

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