Foundered horses climb the road to recovery one step at a time in heart bar shoes, according to farrier Esco Buff. The key, he believes, is to apply those shoes exactly as needed according to detailed radiographs and meticulous records of the horse’s progress.

Q: I recently had a new client contact me who has racing Quarter Horses and he wants them shod with race plates. I don’t have any experience with racehorses and racing plates. I imagine they’re shod the same way — by making sure the foot is balanced and level — followed by putting the shoe on.