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AMERICAN FARRIER'S ASSOCIATION (AFA)
FARRIER PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
FARRIER
Prepare for the American Farrier's Association (AFA) Farrier Certification
Examination with practice questions covering equine anatomy, hoof
structure and function, trimming techniques, horseshoe selection and
fitting, forging skills, gait evaluation, and farrier safety practices.
Designed to improve technical proficiency and boost confidence in
providing quality hoof care and shoeing services. Suitable for apprentice
farriers, equine professionals, and individuals preparing for AFA
certification.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Equine Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–15)
1. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) runs down the back of
the leg and inserts on which bone?
A. First phalanx (P1)
B. Second phalanx (P2)
C. Third phalanx (P3 – coffin bone)
D. Navicular bone
Correct answer: C. Third phalanx (P3 – coffin bone)
Rationale: The deep digital flexor tendon passes over the
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navicular bone and inserts on the flexor surface of the
coffin bone, flexing the distal interphalangeal joint.
2. What are the three bones located immediately below the
carpus (knee) in the front limb?
A. Radius, ulna, accessory carpal
B. Cannon bone, medial splint bone, lateral splint bone
C. Tibia, fibula, talus
D. P1, P2, P3
Correct answer: B. Cannon bone, medial splint bone,
lateral splint bone
Rationale: The cannon bone (third metacarpal) is the major
weight-bearing bone, flanked by the smaller medial and
lateral splint bones (second and fourth metacarpals).
3. Between the two splint bones on the back of the cannon bone,
which important structure is located?
A. The extensor tendon
B. The suspensory ligament
C. The deep digital flexor tendon
D. The annular ligament
Correct answer: B. The suspensory ligament
Rationale: The suspensory ligament originates at the
proximal end of the cannon bone and runs down the back of
the cannon bone between the splint bones.
4. The proximal sesamoid bones are located at the back of which
joint?
A. Carpus (knee)
B. Fetlock (metacarpophalangeal)
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C. Pastern (proximal interphalangeal)
D. Coffin (distal interphalangeal)
Correct answer: B. Fetlock (metacarpophalangeal)
Rationale: The paired proximal sesamoid bones lie at the
palmar/plantar aspect of the fetlock joint, forming part of
the suspensory apparatus.
5. How many bones make up the hock joint (tarsus) in the horse?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
Correct answer: C. 6
Rationale: The equine hock is composed of six tarsal
bones: talus, calcaneus, central tarsal, and the first
through third tarsal bones (sometimes counted differently,
but the total number is 6).
6. Which structure allows a horse to lock its stifle and sleep
standing up?
A. The reciprocal apparatus
B. The suspensory apparatus
C. The stay apparatus
D. The patellar locking mechanism
Correct answer: C. The stay apparatus
Rationale: The stay apparatus is a series of tendons and
ligaments in the forelimbs and hindlimbs that allows the
horse to relax muscles while standing, including a locking
mechanism in the stifle.
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7. Where is articular cartilage located in the equine limb?
A. Covering the shaft of long bones
B. At the ends of bones within a joint
C. Inside the hoof wall
D. Surrounding the tendons
Correct answer: B. At the ends of bones within a joint
Rationale: Articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue
that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a
joint, reducing friction and absorbing shock.
8. What is the function of a bursa in the equine distal limb?
A. To connect muscle to bone
B. To produce red blood cells
C. To reduce friction between tendons and bones or ligaments
D. To store calcium
Correct answer: C. To reduce friction between tendons and
bones or ligaments
Rationale: A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction
and cushions pressure points between tendons and bones.
The navicular bursa is a well-known example.
9. Which structure is NOT located in the hock?
A. Calcaneus
B. Talus
C. Intermediate tarsal bone
D. Accessory carpal bone
Correct answer: D. Accessory carpal bone
Rationale: The accessory carpal bone is part of the carpus
(knee) on the palmar aspect, not a bone of the tarsus
(hock).
AMERICAN FARRIER'S ASSOCIATION (AFA)
FARRIER PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
FARRIER
Prepare for the American Farrier's Association (AFA) Farrier Certification
Examination with practice questions covering equine anatomy, hoof
structure and function, trimming techniques, horseshoe selection and
fitting, forging skills, gait evaluation, and farrier safety practices.
Designed to improve technical proficiency and boost confidence in
providing quality hoof care and shoeing services. Suitable for apprentice
farriers, equine professionals, and individuals preparing for AFA
certification.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Equine Anatomy & Physiology (Questions 1–15)
1. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) runs down the back of
the leg and inserts on which bone?
A. First phalanx (P1)
B. Second phalanx (P2)
C. Third phalanx (P3 – coffin bone)
D. Navicular bone
Correct answer: C. Third phalanx (P3 – coffin bone)
Rationale: The deep digital flexor tendon passes over the
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navicular bone and inserts on the flexor surface of the
coffin bone, flexing the distal interphalangeal joint.
2. What are the three bones located immediately below the
carpus (knee) in the front limb?
A. Radius, ulna, accessory carpal
B. Cannon bone, medial splint bone, lateral splint bone
C. Tibia, fibula, talus
D. P1, P2, P3
Correct answer: B. Cannon bone, medial splint bone,
lateral splint bone
Rationale: The cannon bone (third metacarpal) is the major
weight-bearing bone, flanked by the smaller medial and
lateral splint bones (second and fourth metacarpals).
3. Between the two splint bones on the back of the cannon bone,
which important structure is located?
A. The extensor tendon
B. The suspensory ligament
C. The deep digital flexor tendon
D. The annular ligament
Correct answer: B. The suspensory ligament
Rationale: The suspensory ligament originates at the
proximal end of the cannon bone and runs down the back of
the cannon bone between the splint bones.
4. The proximal sesamoid bones are located at the back of which
joint?
A. Carpus (knee)
B. Fetlock (metacarpophalangeal)
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C. Pastern (proximal interphalangeal)
D. Coffin (distal interphalangeal)
Correct answer: B. Fetlock (metacarpophalangeal)
Rationale: The paired proximal sesamoid bones lie at the
palmar/plantar aspect of the fetlock joint, forming part of
the suspensory apparatus.
5. How many bones make up the hock joint (tarsus) in the horse?
A. 4
B. 5
C. 6
D. 7
Correct answer: C. 6
Rationale: The equine hock is composed of six tarsal
bones: talus, calcaneus, central tarsal, and the first
through third tarsal bones (sometimes counted differently,
but the total number is 6).
6. Which structure allows a horse to lock its stifle and sleep
standing up?
A. The reciprocal apparatus
B. The suspensory apparatus
C. The stay apparatus
D. The patellar locking mechanism
Correct answer: C. The stay apparatus
Rationale: The stay apparatus is a series of tendons and
ligaments in the forelimbs and hindlimbs that allows the
horse to relax muscles while standing, including a locking
mechanism in the stifle.
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7. Where is articular cartilage located in the equine limb?
A. Covering the shaft of long bones
B. At the ends of bones within a joint
C. Inside the hoof wall
D. Surrounding the tendons
Correct answer: B. At the ends of bones within a joint
Rationale: Articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue
that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a
joint, reducing friction and absorbing shock.
8. What is the function of a bursa in the equine distal limb?
A. To connect muscle to bone
B. To produce red blood cells
C. To reduce friction between tendons and bones or ligaments
D. To store calcium
Correct answer: C. To reduce friction between tendons and
bones or ligaments
Rationale: A bursa is a fluid-filled sac that reduces friction
and cushions pressure points between tendons and bones.
The navicular bursa is a well-known example.
9. Which structure is NOT located in the hock?
A. Calcaneus
B. Talus
C. Intermediate tarsal bone
D. Accessory carpal bone
Correct answer: D. Accessory carpal bone
Rationale: The accessory carpal bone is part of the carpus
(knee) on the palmar aspect, not a bone of the tarsus
(hock).
