wait shit RAINBOW YOU FUCKING LIAR why focus on that …frankly weeeiiird idiosyncrasy if later the writers would completely forget about it? people notice details! you’re dealing with nerds!
It’s probably she doesn’t like having her hooves touched for frilly things or just in general. Being at an olympic sort of thing and getting your hooves shined is a bit different I’d say. It would have worked a bit better if she made a face or something but I don’t think it’s too out of the realm of possibility that she’d be ok being spruced up for a trial.
I guess they are like the figurines. Brushable and hard.
Dash doesn’t like having her hooves touched at the spa.
The truth is revealed! Equestria is populated by animate toys!
Or ponies are made of plastic.
…wait…
I always like to think their whole bodies are squishy like marshmallows.