PATH INTL.
CTRI Study Guide 2026 | Practice Questions &
Answers with Rationales | Complete Exam Prep
RESOURCE FEATURES
• 2026 CTRI exam review
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Scenario-based questions
• Equine-management review
• Participant and volunteer management
• Lesson-management concepts
• Risk and safety review
• Riding-theory preparation
• PATH Intl. Standards review
• Certification-focused study preparation
, PATH Intl. CTRI Study Guide 2026 | Practice
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Complete
Exam Prep
1. While preparing a horse that has been in a therapeutic riding
program for many years, the instructor observes that the animal's
bursa and deep digital flexor tendon areas are inflamed. The horse
does not show any signs of lameness. What is MOST LIKELY the cause?
• A) Carpitis
• B) Capped Elbow
• C) Dorsal metacarpal disease
• D) Windpuffs
Answer: D) Windpuffs
Rationale: Windpuffs are soft swellings in the bursa and tendon sheath
areas, often seen in older horses. They typically do not cause lameness and
are common in horses that have been in work for many years.
2. From the picture below, what is the proper foot falls for an equine
at the trot?
• A) 1, 2, 2, 1
• B) 2, 1, 1, 2
• C) 1, 1, 2, 2
• D) 2, 2, 1, 1
, Answer: B) 2, 1, 1, 2
Rationale: At the trot, the horse moves in a two-beat diagonal gait. The
footfall pattern is right hind and left fore (diagonal pair), followed by left
hind and right fore (diagonal pair).
3. While warming up an equine at the trot, the instructor observes the
horse's head pop up and then drop down dramatically and
uncharacteristically and with the rhythm of the trot. What is
happening?
• A) When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up. When
a sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head drops.
• B) When a sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up.
When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head drops.
• C) When a horse has an energetic trot, the head movement is much
more pronounced.
• D) When a horse has an energetic trot, the horse's head will drop when
the rider's outside leg is too far behind the girth.
Answer: A) When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head
pops up. When a sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head
drops.
Rationale: Head nodding at the trot indicates lameness. The horse lifts its
head when the lame limb hits the ground to reduce weight bearing, and
drops its head when the sound limb hits the ground.
CTRI Study Guide 2026 | Practice Questions &
Answers with Rationales | Complete Exam Prep
RESOURCE FEATURES
• 2026 CTRI exam review
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Scenario-based questions
• Equine-management review
• Participant and volunteer management
• Lesson-management concepts
• Risk and safety review
• Riding-theory preparation
• PATH Intl. Standards review
• Certification-focused study preparation
, PATH Intl. CTRI Study Guide 2026 | Practice
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Complete
Exam Prep
1. While preparing a horse that has been in a therapeutic riding
program for many years, the instructor observes that the animal's
bursa and deep digital flexor tendon areas are inflamed. The horse
does not show any signs of lameness. What is MOST LIKELY the cause?
• A) Carpitis
• B) Capped Elbow
• C) Dorsal metacarpal disease
• D) Windpuffs
Answer: D) Windpuffs
Rationale: Windpuffs are soft swellings in the bursa and tendon sheath
areas, often seen in older horses. They typically do not cause lameness and
are common in horses that have been in work for many years.
2. From the picture below, what is the proper foot falls for an equine
at the trot?
• A) 1, 2, 2, 1
• B) 2, 1, 1, 2
• C) 1, 1, 2, 2
• D) 2, 2, 1, 1
, Answer: B) 2, 1, 1, 2
Rationale: At the trot, the horse moves in a two-beat diagonal gait. The
footfall pattern is right hind and left fore (diagonal pair), followed by left
hind and right fore (diagonal pair).
3. While warming up an equine at the trot, the instructor observes the
horse's head pop up and then drop down dramatically and
uncharacteristically and with the rhythm of the trot. What is
happening?
• A) When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up. When
a sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head drops.
• B) When a sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up.
When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head drops.
• C) When a horse has an energetic trot, the head movement is much
more pronounced.
• D) When a horse has an energetic trot, the horse's head will drop when
the rider's outside leg is too far behind the girth.
Answer: A) When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head
pops up. When a sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head
drops.
Rationale: Head nodding at the trot indicates lameness. The horse lifts its
head when the lame limb hits the ground to reduce weight bearing, and
drops its head when the sound limb hits the ground.
