Four White socks - mind how you go!?

Question

I read a poem on horses as a child that suggested that you could tell a horses personality from how many white socks it had:-
One white sock.....
Two white socks - steady and slow
three white socks...
Four white socks - mind how you go!

1. Does anybody know the rest of this poem/superstition?
2. Do you agree that horses with four white feet are more difficult to train than those with less?

Answer 1

Are four white feet bad? Or good? There are two different versions of 'white feet' rhymes, with different suggestions.
The two poems are:

One white foot, buy him.
Two white feet, try him.
Three white feet, be on the sly.
Four white feet, pass him by.

The other says just the opposite:

One white foot, keep him not a day,
Two white feet, send him far away,
Three white feet, sell him to a friend,
Four white feet, keep him to the end.

There are superstitions relating specifically to Arabian horses too. Four stockings were said to be evil. However, two hind and one fore was good. One hind and one fore on opposite sites were excellent. Both forefeet white was very bad, while both hinds white was good.

There is also a tale about an Arab who had bred his fine mare for the first time, and everyone gathered to watch the birth. All were vying to purchase the foal As the foal's head appeared a star was evident, and its master rejoiced; his horse was very lucky. Then came the near-fore leg, and the proud owner asked a hundred duros for the foal. Next came the off-fore, with a white sock; The price dropped to fifty duros. Then came the near-hind; it was white, and the Arab was joyous and vowed not to sell his foal for anything in the world. But then came the fourth leg-- pure white! And the owner ordered the foal to be destroyed, for it was worthless.

In reality, a horse's color or markings does not determine its temperament or ability. However, some horse people do believe that black feet tend to be harder than light feet, or more brittle than light feet. Is this really true? I know of no research that indicates there is any proof either way. If this was true, you would expect to see a noticeable difference in health and lameness of different colored horses...

Answer 2

The main reason that four white socks maybe a problem is due to conditions like mud fever, which affects horses with white socks more than others. It is a painful skin condition similar to severe eczema in humans and is a condition more common in such animals. It does not affect the horse's personality, but too much white on the legs is classed as being flashy with some equine people, and is frowned upon!

Answer 3

Well, the white socks has to do with genetics and skin pigment. If you notice, the skin is pink where the "socks" are at. The darker body colored hair will be darker. Some horses have no socks and as you know some have 1 to 4 (one on each leg). In the Thoroughbred world, it use to be "lucky" for a horse to have 4 socks or one on each foot. There was also a myth that socks make the hoof softer meaning the horse was not a good trail-type horse. Not sure where your dad came up with the thing about the socks on the back legs. Maybe because they match?? Maybe that is just his opinion. :) I know a lot of people, especially with show horses, like to have a horse with "matching" socks-either front or back or all or none and not an odd number.

Answer 4

It comes from the belief that a white hoof is weak and prone to problems. It's not so much the sock itself. However there is no proof that white feet are softer. It depends on the animals genetics and nutrition. The closest I've ever seen was a gelding who didn't like to get his one white foot wet. The owner believed the nerves of that leg were closer to the surface of the skin. It's all based in folk superstition, the poem to keep four whites was simply because they were very flashy, eight white legs pulling a carriags looks great.


Shootingstar, you meant a convex face is stubborn. Concave and dished are the same thing. There's no proof to that folk tale either.

Answer 5

I've heard the poem, but was always told that it was to do with the soundness of the horse (it not going lame) I tend to keep away from chestnut mares with 4 white socks as they tend to be a bit loopy and stroppy. another saying is no good horse is a bad colour. the only rule I'd go with is make sure the horse has an even number of white socks, stockings, legs, ermines as you'll normally find the odd leg is the one which has most troubles.

Answer 6

it was an old dealer's rhyme

One white sock buy him
two white socks try him
three white socks think for a day
four white socks turn him away.

it was believed that horses with white socks and therefore white hooves had hoof problems ie white hooves are not as strong as black or striped hooves. Personally i think it's a load of rubbish. if the horse's feet are looked after they should be ok whatever colour they are.

training is training, doesnt matter about colour of legs/feet.

Answer 7

The socks mean nothing. The shape of the head,the line of the nose, is the most important thing to look at. If the line is straight and the eyes are almond shaped your good. A concave is stubborn, harder to train,don't take too well to force able training. A dish-face,very aggressive, will lash out. Don't fool with this type unless you know horses. The socks are for pretty.

Answer 8

White Stocking Poem

Answer 9

Oh I remember that poem aswell! I have for years and years wondered what them to lines were aswell!

I grew up with horses and remember:
"One white foot, buy a horse; Two white feet, try a horse".

I do agree thats horses with four white feet are more difficult to train for some reason and also a pony with small ears is cheeky and bold!Do u find that?

Answer 10

i dont know about the poem but my horses i have two have 4 white socks each and they are easy to train