AFA Therapeutic Endorsement Exam

AFA Therapeutic Endorsement Exam Practice Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of therapeutic shoeing in horses?
• Cosmetic improvement
• Mechanical assistance to aid movement and relieve pathology
• To reduce hoof color imperfections
• For improved traction on pavement

Rationale: Therapeutic shoeing is intended to correct, support, or

alleviate lameness and mechanical dysfunction.

• Which structure of the hoof bears the majority of vertical load in a

healthy hoof?

• Frog
• Hoof wall
• Sole 1 / 4

• Bars

Rationale: The hoof wall is the primary weight-bearing surface in a

normal equine hoof.

3. A heart bar shoe is most commonly indicated for:

• Sand cracks
• Founder (laminitis)
• Navicular syndrome
• Wall separation

Rationale: The heart bar supports the frog and helps redistribute

weight away from compromised laminae in laminitis cases.

• A horse with navicular disease benefits most from what type of

shoeing modification?

• Toe extension
• Rolled/rockered toe with heel elevation
• Increased sole pressure
• Frog pressure

Rationale: Heel elevation reduces tension on the deep digital flexor

tendon and improves breakover.

• What is the therapeutic purpose of wedge pads?
• Improve cosmetic hoof shape
• Raise the hoof angle to reduce DDFT strain
• Reduce sole pressure
• Increase traction 2 / 4

Rationale: Wedges elevate heels, reducing deep digital flexor tendon

strain and alleviating heel-related pathology.

• Which gait abnormality is most associated with laminitis?
• Rope-walking
• Stringhalt
• Short, choppy gait and reluctance to move
• Hind end ataxia

Rationale: Founder causes extreme hoof pain leading to short,

cautious steps.

• Which condition often benefits from an egg-bar shoe?
• Navicular disease
• Quarter cracks
• Thrush
• White line disease

Rationale: Egg-bar shoes extend posterior support and reduce strain

on the navicular apparatus.

• What is the function of a rocker toe modification?
• Increase traction on turf
• Facilitate easier breakover
• Increase hoof length
• Add weight

Rationale: A rocker toe shortens breakover distance and reduces

lever forces. 3 / 4

9. A horse with low, collapsed heels typically benefits from:

• Toe weighting
• Heel support and frog engagement
• Sole pressure
• Wall thinning

Rationale: Weak heels require therapeutic support to restore hoof

mechanics and load balance.

10. The bars of the hoof help mainly in:

• Cooling the hoof
• Stabilizing the back of the hoof capsule
• Increasing hoof size
• Blood circulation

Rationale: Bars act as internal braces to prevent excessive expansion.

11. A straight-bar shoe is indicated for:

• Toe cracks
• Quarter cracks and caudal hoof support
• Thrush
• Excessive sole depth

Rationale: The bar stabilizes the heel area and reduces displacement

forces on cracks.

12. Proper hoof-pastern axis alignment ideally forms:

• A broken forward angle
• A straight line from pastern to hoof wall
• / 4