These humid conditions, the soggy earth, and the heat combine to make conditions suitable only for animals, such as the buffalo and the cow, that have cleft hooves. The cleavage in the hoof allows the humidity to escape and for air to circulate. It also provides a stable, balancing base to the animal treading upon slippery, treacherous top-soil during the monsoons. The horse has no cleavage in his hoof.
