sallyanna

We're left or right handed, can a horse be left or right "hooved"? If they need to, say paw at the snow, or when starting a walk, can they have one side they use more than the other?

HairyHorse

I am not sure about this but it certainly is an interesting question. I cannot see why not-the handidness comes from the brain, not the limbs and so it would make sense that all animals with a brain that is in two hemispheres would have one that is dominant. How it is expressed is another matter.

swish'n'neigh

I think horses do have a dominant hoof or side. Sometimes it is from brain wiring, and sometimes it is from previous injury, but in any case it's normal.

countrygirl

This is kind of a funny discussion. I don't believe horses have a dominant side. They just do what feels comfortable.
On the other hand, it may make an interesting study for a person who has a lot of time on their hands!

Roy Rogers

You know what? I have actually never thought about this much, but it WOULD make sense if they did have a hoof preference.

That said, I have never read anything that suggested they did have that hoof preference. At the very least this does make for some interesting discussion, and that's something in my book!

purplefdu

I've ridden plenty of horses who had a preference. I wouldn't call it a hoof preference, but that would do as well as the next. I normally noticed it at the canter/lope as they are naturally more apt to pick up one lead over the other given the choice when ridden in a straight line. Sometimes its due to early training in one direction (as with racehorses commonly) or just natural tendencies.

alexis

It is a rather interesting subject for sure here. I never thought about it much myself but I did wonder sometimes. Anything think there is a way to test this between natural or nurture (preference or trained)?