What is the coloring around the hooves suppose to be exactly anyways?

[Zygen 6,066]

Ok so this has been a question that I've been hesitant to say anything about, but I finally had to ask after failing to find it on google, and just outta plain curiosity.

 

So what exactly does the coloring around the hoofs have to do with anything? Like what is it? Does it just show the hoofs or something? Is it shoes? I'm pretty sure it isn't seeing as the shoes have this different look and I can tell what they are, but I can't seem to get the coloring and what its really suppose to be.

 

I feel kinda dumb for asking this, because the answers probably going to come and I'll be making physical contact between my desk and my face afterwards, but I just have to ask.

 

I also notice that in the show its only really on Stallions, the one I can think of who has it right now is big mac, and I don't know what it is really. I understand normal ponies have a difference of color around the hooves, but the majority of the MLP ponies don't, infact I don't see it around any Mares in MLP, just stallions.

 

So yeah, without more rambling I'm just curious but what is it suppose to be? I'm sorry for my dumb questions, but well.. Idk I'm dumb I ask alot of dumb questions, so I guess you may as well get use to it .

 

Thanks in advance!

[Mightymags 1,053]

I think it's just supposed to be hooves, but it's used more like a decorative thing so that's why it only shows up on some ponies. 

[akita-ken 581]

It's supposed to be the colour of the hoof material underneath the coat. You're right it mostly only appears on Stallions, but not all Stallions in the show have exposed hooves leading me to believe that it is a personal grooming choice that they make whether or not to trim the coat around their hooves. Personally, I don't like to expose the hooves (even on Stallions), and so that's why I rarely, if ever, draw my OC with his hooves exposed.

[Zygen 6,066]

I think it's just supposed to be hooves, but it's used more like a decorative thing so that's why it only shows up on some ponies. 

Thats it really o-o? Kinda strange how its just decorative though, I mean I expected it to be something different since it feels like it should be on all the ponies if its just hoofs.

 

Oh well, I guess it would be a bit strange on some of the ponies anyways .

 

It's supposed to be the colour of the hoof material underneath the coat. You're right it mostly only appears on Stallions, but not all Stallions in the show have exposed hooves leading me to believe that it is a personal grooming choice that they make whether or not to trim the coat around their hooves. Personally, I don't like to expose the hooves (even on Stallions), and so that's why I rarely, if ever, draw my OC with his hooves exposed.

Oh ok that kinda makes sense actually, Considering they have fur and everything it makes sense that it gives covered up on some of them.

 

Thank both of y'all btw for the insight .

[Betez 1,734]

I really think it serves no other purpose other than to keep the pony from blending with the background. Like an outline. Pretty much all cartoon characters have them. I mean, the ponies would look a lot less professionally animated if there was no outline.

[Blanky 3]

I think it is typically seen on the 'larger' male ponies.  Like Big Mac or Shining Armor.  Whether that is meant to indicate age or physical stature I'm not sure.  That one muscled up and tiny winged pegasus also has exposed hooves, but with a different design.

 

I think it is meant to be a Clydesdale style hoof.  They kind of have this fluff of fur at the end of their legs that falls over their hoof.  Clydesdales are somewhat famous for being a large and strong breed of horse (they're the ones Budweiser uses in their ads).  Which might be why they use their hoof design on stronger ponies.

 

It's kind of odd I know.  Most horses have their hooves completely exposed, whereas Clydesdales have them partially covered.  So 'exposed' hooves are not shown, but in order to show that it's partially covered you have to show that there's a hoof under it.  That's basically an art style thing I guess.  Or I could be completely wrong.

 

 

On the other hoof...   Back in a previous generation the set of male pony toys all had that kind of hoof design (I don't know if they did in the show).  So it may also just be a throwback.

[Sweets 198]

I think it is typically seen on the 'larger' male ponies.  Like Big Mac or Shining Armor.  Whether that is meant to indicate age or physical stature I'm not sure.  That one muscled up and tiny winged pegasus also has exposed hooves, but with a different design.

 

I think it is meant to be a Clydesdale style hoof.  They kind of have this fluff of fur at the end of their legs that falls over their hoof.  Clydesdales are somewhat famous for being a large and strong breed of horse (they're the ones Budweiser uses in their ads).  Which might be why they use their hoof design on stronger ponies.

 

It's kind of odd I know.  Most horses have their hooves completely exposed, whereas Clydesdales have them partially covered.  So 'exposed' hooves are not shown, but in order to show that it's partially covered you have to show that there's a hoof under it.  That's basically an art style thing I guess.  Or I could be completely wrong.

 

 

On the other hoof...   Back in a previous generation the set of male pony toys all had that kind of hoof design (I don't know if they did in the show).  So it may also just be a throwback.

 

 

Honestly, I feel like the fetlocks (it's what they're called -_- stickler for tihngsl ike that) indicate some sort of change in species, even though they're all ponies, so it may not be the case. You normally see fetlocks on larger draft horses, well, really long ones anyway. I think it's supposed to give an air of masculinity.

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

I think it is meant to be a Clydesdale style hoof.  They kind of have this fluff of fur at the end of their legs that falls over their hoof.  Clydesdales are somewhat famous for being a large and strong breed of horse (they're the ones Budweiser uses in their ads).  Which might be why they use their hoof design on stronger ponies.

 

Nailed it.  It's the shaggy look that the artists are trying to portray on very big stallions like Big Mac.  Here's a typical real-life example: