What is a primary function of heartbar shoes?

• A. Increase hoof growth rate
• B. Transfer pressure from wall to frog, frog protection, prevent further coffin bone sinking/rotation
• C. Decrease hoof hardness
• D. Improve scent

Answer: (B)

A heartbar shoe is built to shift load from the hoof wall onto the frog and solar surface. By placing a bar that contacts the frog, weight is borne more by the frog rather than the wall, which protects the frog and helps stabilize the coffin bone. This load transfer is especially important in conditions like laminitis or coffin bone rotation, where keeping pressure off the wall and supporting the frog helps prevent further sinking or misalignment of the bone.

So the primary function is transferring pressure from the wall to the frog, providing frog protection, and helping prevent coffin bone sinking or rotation. The other options don’t reflect this purpose—they don’t involve load transfer to the frog or protection of the frog and coffin bone.