Chestnut (horse)

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For the chestnut color in horses, see Chestnut (coat).
Close-up of chestnut
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Close-up of chestnut
The chestnut of this horse is seen as a tan scab-like object on its inner right front leg, just above its knee. There are also chestnuts on the other 3 legs that cannot be seen.
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The chestnut of this horse is seen as a tan scab-like object on its inner right front leg, just above its knee. There are also chestnuts on the other 3 legs that cannot be seen.

The chestnut is a part of the body of horses, found on the inner side of the leg near the knee or hock. Horse chestnuts vary in size and shape, and can be used as a finger-printing tool to identify the animal. Chestnuts do get larger as time goes on, and most horsemen peel the outer layer off of show horses to give a neater appearance. Although peeling the chestnut does not hurt the horse, it often comes off more easily if baby oil or moisturizer is first applied to soften it.

Chestnuts are actually vestiges of a toe from early equids.

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