spoiler How well can ponies grip tools and objects with hooves?

[cider float 2,539]

What took me off guard in Slice of Life in particular was how well the ponies used their hooves to grip things like a cello bow or the bowling balls (don't you need 3 fingers for that).

 

Ponies like Fluttershy does delicate hand work like knitting so it begs the question how good are they with their hooves compared to human hands?

 

The Apple Family gives the illusion that ponies use their tails and hind hooves to kick things around but no semblance of picking apples up with their hooves

Edited June 15, 2015 by cider float

[Lisa 5,553]

Apparently they're octopi. 

Edited June 15, 2015 by Monique

[Pastel 7,630]

I guess they can only pick flat things.

 

But anyway there are many weird moments for plot convenience.

Edited June 15, 2015 by Blobulle

[Snake 516]

remember back in the day when pony toys had magnets one their hooves/one hoof so they could activate toys and such?
Everything in equestria is magnetic, so it sticks to their hooves.

 

THEORY CONFIRMED

[Chaton 3,766]

How about we go with the more obvious choice.

 

[cider float 2,539]

I guess my fanfic of ponies using swords might make some sense then 0.o

[Unikitty 1,212]

How about we go with the more obvious choice.

 

 

Y'know, I had a whole theory written up about how this may be more close to the truth than you'd think. It was to do with latent magic coursing through all ponies. Unicorns being the most attuned and able to focus the magic through their horns, but appendages also acting like minor focus points(just like a horn). Allowing some sort of magic-magnetism.

At the very least, this is my headcanon on the scenario.

[Chaton 3,766]

Y'know, I had a whole theory written up about how this may be more close to the truth than you'd think. It was to do with latent magic coursing through all ponies. Unicorns being the most attuned and able to focus the magic through their horns, but appendages also acting like minor focus points(just like a horn). Allowing some sort of magic-magnetism.

At the very least, this is my headcanon on the scenario.

You do realise that first part about latent magic was already cannon. Lauran Faust posted it on her twitter a while back. Your headcannon is actually already cannon.

Edited June 15, 2015 by Vinyl Scratchy DJ

[superdogz1999 551]

They can hold objects in their hooves, but not when they are trotting.

[Unikitty 1,212]

You do realise that first part about latent magic was already cannon. Lauran Faust posted it on her twitter a while back. Your headcannon is actually already cannon.

 

I didn't know that, so if it's as I thought, that's really awesome. I've had this idea running for a very long time, but have never really heard about an official explanation.

[Daring_Do 552]

I didn't know that, so if it's as I thought, that's really awesome. I've had this idea running for a very long time, but have never really heard about an official explanation.

I think he was just referring to the latent magic part, not to the part that this explains the hooves thing. From what I heard Faust specifically forbade using hooves as hands, urging creative things like the "umbrella saddle".

Edited June 15, 2015 by Knight Dash

[Unikitty 1,212]

I think he was just referring to the latent magic part, not to the part that this explains the hooves thing. From what I heard Faust specifically forbade using hooves as hands, urging creative things like the "umbrella saddle".

 

Ooh, I see now. Huh. Well I still like the headcanon I use and think it works out quite nicely. It also brought up interesting ideas of the origin of ponykind and all that.

[ManaMinori 4,149]

maybe their hooves work like gecko toes

Edited June 15, 2015 by Nightmare Muffin

[An Unknown Pony. 370]

When a object is in a ponies hand,it is permanently glued,Unless the pony throws it or puts it down,Ponies grip things better than humans

[Justin_Case001 4,934]

They seem to be just as dexterous as we.  They can also briefly defy gravity by walking on three legs, and when they pick up their foreleg, they don't tip or lose their balance.  What I mean is--watch a pony walk while holding something with one hoof.  They way they do it shouldn't be physically possible.  They would need to push off and hop/limp, but they just stroll casually.

 

Y'know, I had a whole theory written up about how this may be more close to the truth than you'd think. It was to do with latent magic coursing through all ponies. Unicorns being the most attuned and able to focus the magic through their horns, but appendages also acting like minor focus points(just like a horn). Allowing some sort of magic-magnetism.
At the very least, this is my headcanon on the scenario.

I like it.  I really like it.

[cider float 2,539]

I think he was just referring to the latent magic part, not to the part that this explains the hooves thing. From what I heard Faust specifically forbade using hooves as hands, urging creative things like the "umbrella saddle".

If the Faust demands it I must obey.

 

[Malinter 3,064]

Invisable Magnetic Horseshoes.

[Manman20x6 359]

Y'know, I had a whole theory written up about how this may be more close to the truth than you'd think. It was to do with latent magic coursing through all ponies. Unicorns being the most attuned and able to focus the magic through their horns, but appendages also acting like minor focus points(just like a horn). Allowing some sort of magic-magnetism.

At the very least, this is my headcanon on the scenario.

 

I have a very similar headcanon; mine is that pony hooves are made of the same substance as unicorn horns, which means that all ponies can channel magic through their hooves. However, since the "magic gland" is located near the head, it is very difficult or impossible to actually cast big spells without a horn, since that means that the magical energy has to travel through the entire body to reach its destination. As a result, earth ponies and pegasi can only use subtle kinds of magic through their hooves, such as walking on clouds. Very short-ranged levitation of small objects might be one kind of magic that all ponies can use.

[chirox the pony 1,336]

Often times they use the ends of their legs and curl it instead of using their actual hooves, only time I've seen them only use their hooves is when they point their hooves upwards and place an object on top. 

[manic 121]

 

Pinkie Pie as always holds (see wut I did thar) all the answers!

[sweetolebob18 728]

There is probably a great deal of variance in hoof grips.  Professional musicians like Octavia (or the fiddle player in Apple Family Reunion) probably practice a LOT & are way better than most non unicorns.   IRL, piano players, for example have a bigger hand span & better grip than most non piano players.

 

Most unicorns probably use their TK & not their hooves (Rarity when she is sewing, for instance) & thus have less hoof dexterity.  But, some ponies have their problems.  Some, (like Apple Bloom) use their mouths to grip at least some stuff (& you think your handwriting is bad?) 

 

As to bowling balls.  Yes, modern bowling as played in the USA uses a ball w finger holes but there are variants that use a ball w no holes.  (I'm too shiftless & inept to look up what they are called ) 

Edited June 16, 2015 by sweetolebob18

[Tapfire 92]

Latent Magic or Kids Show, take your pick.

Oh, and ponies can bowl. So there's no way it's just how they're holding it.

Edited June 16, 2015 by Tapfire (NinjaWulv)

[Daring_Do 552]

Didn't we see one of the CMC holding the ball in their mouth in the first episode the bowling alley (and the Lebowski ponies) appeared? Or am I wrong?

[Grepper 3,193]

I'd just chalk it up to cartoon physics. No fancy headcanons for me.

[Cwanky 17,754]

You guys are overthinking this.

 

 

When you have the king of rule breaking and a 4th wall breaking Pink pony on the loose, everything's fair game.