CTRI EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Balanced Seat. Answer: position of the mounted rider that requires
the minimum of muscular effort to remain in the saddle and that
interferes least with the horse's movement and equilibrium
◉ Bight of Reins. Answer: part of the reins passing between thumb and
fingers and out the top of the hand
◉ Blemish. Answer: defect that hurts the equine's appearance but does
not hurt their working ability (scar)
◉ Bolting. Answer: animal breaking out of control or trying to run away
◉ Broke. Answer: tamed and trained to a particular function (ex. halter
broke)
◉ Broke. Answer: leave or altar gait (broke stride)
◉ Canter/Lope. Answer: 3 beat gait (1st and 3rd eats- legs strike
indepently; 2nd beat- 2 legs strike on the diagonal)
◉ Cavesson. Answer: headstall with a noseband (often quite large)
containing rings used for exercising and training horses
,◉ Change of Lead. Answer: change of leading leg at the canter.
◉ Cinch. Answer: girth of a Western saddle
◉ Cold-Backed. Answer: a horse that humps its back and does not settle
down until the saddle has been on a few minutes (some "cold-backed"
horses will merely tuck their tails and arch their backs when first
mounted, but others will take a few crow hops until warmed up)
◉ Collected Gait. Answer: remaining on the bit, the horse moves
forward with its topline raised and arched as a result of energetic
impulsion; lightness of forehand, engagement of hindquarters are called
for; shorter strides, but lighter and more mobile
◉ Conformation. Answer: way the equine is put together, its physique;
makes equine able to work well and stay sound even with hard work
◉ Counter Canter. Answer: a suppling movement deliberately asking for
the opposite of the normal lead, such as right lead on a circle to the left.
◉ Crest Release. Answer: riders in the jumping or two-point position
can maintain balance and control by placing each hand firmly on top of
the crest approximately one-third the way up the horse's neck
◉ Crop. Answer: riding whip with a short, straight stock and loop
, ◉ Cross-Firing. Answer: gait defect that occurs when the inside of the
hind foot strikes the diagonal foreleg
◉ Cultural Competence. Answer: ability to understand, appreciate and
interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's
own
◉ Curb Bit. Answer: a type of bit designed to exert a leverage type of
action in the horse's mouth
◉ Direct Rein Steering. Answer: direct rein puts pressure on the bit,
directly back toward the rider; it works in opposition to the horse's
forward motion; the direct rein makes the horse shorten its stride for the
turn, so it works best where you need more control or a tight turn
◉ Dressage. Answer: time-tested, methodical progression of exercises
designed to increase an equine's muscular capabilities and degree of
suppleness, allowing them to perform increasingly difficult movements
under the saddle
◉ Equine. Answer: general description of horses, ponies, mules,
donkeys or minatures
◉ Equine Assisted Services (EAS). Answer: diverse range of services in
which professionals incorporate equines to benefit people
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ Balanced Seat. Answer: position of the mounted rider that requires
the minimum of muscular effort to remain in the saddle and that
interferes least with the horse's movement and equilibrium
◉ Bight of Reins. Answer: part of the reins passing between thumb and
fingers and out the top of the hand
◉ Blemish. Answer: defect that hurts the equine's appearance but does
not hurt their working ability (scar)
◉ Bolting. Answer: animal breaking out of control or trying to run away
◉ Broke. Answer: tamed and trained to a particular function (ex. halter
broke)
◉ Broke. Answer: leave or altar gait (broke stride)
◉ Canter/Lope. Answer: 3 beat gait (1st and 3rd eats- legs strike
indepently; 2nd beat- 2 legs strike on the diagonal)
◉ Cavesson. Answer: headstall with a noseband (often quite large)
containing rings used for exercising and training horses
,◉ Change of Lead. Answer: change of leading leg at the canter.
◉ Cinch. Answer: girth of a Western saddle
◉ Cold-Backed. Answer: a horse that humps its back and does not settle
down until the saddle has been on a few minutes (some "cold-backed"
horses will merely tuck their tails and arch their backs when first
mounted, but others will take a few crow hops until warmed up)
◉ Collected Gait. Answer: remaining on the bit, the horse moves
forward with its topline raised and arched as a result of energetic
impulsion; lightness of forehand, engagement of hindquarters are called
for; shorter strides, but lighter and more mobile
◉ Conformation. Answer: way the equine is put together, its physique;
makes equine able to work well and stay sound even with hard work
◉ Counter Canter. Answer: a suppling movement deliberately asking for
the opposite of the normal lead, such as right lead on a circle to the left.
◉ Crest Release. Answer: riders in the jumping or two-point position
can maintain balance and control by placing each hand firmly on top of
the crest approximately one-third the way up the horse's neck
◉ Crop. Answer: riding whip with a short, straight stock and loop
, ◉ Cross-Firing. Answer: gait defect that occurs when the inside of the
hind foot strikes the diagonal foreleg
◉ Cultural Competence. Answer: ability to understand, appreciate and
interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's
own
◉ Curb Bit. Answer: a type of bit designed to exert a leverage type of
action in the horse's mouth
◉ Direct Rein Steering. Answer: direct rein puts pressure on the bit,
directly back toward the rider; it works in opposition to the horse's
forward motion; the direct rein makes the horse shorten its stride for the
turn, so it works best where you need more control or a tight turn
◉ Dressage. Answer: time-tested, methodical progression of exercises
designed to increase an equine's muscular capabilities and degree of
suppleness, allowing them to perform increasingly difficult movements
under the saddle
◉ Equine. Answer: general description of horses, ponies, mules,
donkeys or minatures
◉ Equine Assisted Services (EAS). Answer: diverse range of services in
which professionals incorporate equines to benefit people
