Did you know, that the so-called foal slippers …
… that the so-called foal slippers on the hooves of an unborn foal protect the mare’s amniotic sac and genital tract from damage during pregnancy and foaling?
The amniotic fluid causes the soft horn of the foal hooves to swell, and together with the foal slippers protect the mare. When exposed to air after the foal is born the foal slippers and horn rapidly dry out. The foal slippers then break off on their own.