PATH CTRI EXAM QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
balanced seat - Answers - That 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 in the reins - Answers - The part of the reins passing between thumb and fingers
and out the top of the hand.
blemish - Answers - A defect that hurts an equine's appearance but does not hurt its
working ability (e.g., a scar).
bolting - Answers - An animal breaking out of control or trying to run away.
broke - Answers - 1. Tamed and trained to a particular function, as halter-broke. 2. To
leave or alter gait (e.g., the trotter broke stride).
canter or lope - Answers - A three-beat gait in which the first and third beats are made
by two legs striking the ground independently and the second beat is made by two limbs
striking the ground simultaneously. In the left lead, the sequence of beats is (1) right
hind leg, (2) left hind leg and right foreleg, and (3) left foreleg. The reverse applies for
the right lead.
cavesson - Answers - Headstall with a noseband (often quite large) used for exercising
and training horses.
change of lead - Answers - Change of leading leg at the canter.
cinch - Answers - Girth of a Western saddle.
cold backed - Answers - Describes 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 - Answers - Remaining on the bit, the horse moves forward with its neck
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 - Answers - the way the horse is put together, its physique. Good
conformation is beautiful, but more important, it makes a horse able to work well and
stay sound even with hard work. Conformation defects can make a horse weak in a
particular part or they can just make it less handsome.
, counter canter - Answers - A suppling movement deliberately asking for the opposite of
the normal lead, such as right lead on a circle to the left.
crest release - Answers - A way in which riders in the jumping 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 - Answers - A riding whip with a short, straight stock and a loop.
cross firing - Answers - A gait defect that occurs when the inside of the hind foot strikes
the diagonal foreleg.
curb bit - Answers - A type of bit designed to exert a leverage type of action in the
horse's mouth.
direct rein steering - Answers - The 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 - Answers - A time-tested, methodical progression of exercises designed to
increase a horse's muscular capabilities and degree of suppleness, allowing it to
perform increasingly difficult movements under saddle.
equine - Answers - A general description inclusive of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys or
miniatures.
equine assisted activities (EAA) - Answers - Activities that are facilitated by equine
professionals and may provide opportunities for participants to experience therapeutic
benefits.
Equine assisted therapy (EAT) - Answers - Treatments conducted by appropriately
licensed medical professionals. PATH Intl. provides standards of professionalism and
safety for all these EAAT professionals.
equitation - Answers - The act or art of riding horseback.
extended gait - Answers - Covering as much ground as possible, lengthening strides to
the utmost while maintaining the same rhythm.
far side - Answers - The right side of the horse.
footfall pattern - Answers - The sequence in which the legs
move in a gait, such as the walk, trot or canter.
balanced seat - Answers - That 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 in the reins - Answers - The part of the reins passing between thumb and fingers
and out the top of the hand.
blemish - Answers - A defect that hurts an equine's appearance but does not hurt its
working ability (e.g., a scar).
bolting - Answers - An animal breaking out of control or trying to run away.
broke - Answers - 1. Tamed and trained to a particular function, as halter-broke. 2. To
leave or alter gait (e.g., the trotter broke stride).
canter or lope - Answers - A three-beat gait in which the first and third beats are made
by two legs striking the ground independently and the second beat is made by two limbs
striking the ground simultaneously. In the left lead, the sequence of beats is (1) right
hind leg, (2) left hind leg and right foreleg, and (3) left foreleg. The reverse applies for
the right lead.
cavesson - Answers - Headstall with a noseband (often quite large) used for exercising
and training horses.
change of lead - Answers - Change of leading leg at the canter.
cinch - Answers - Girth of a Western saddle.
cold backed - Answers - Describes 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 - Answers - Remaining on the bit, the horse moves forward with its neck
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 - Answers - the way the horse is put together, its physique. Good
conformation is beautiful, but more important, it makes a horse able to work well and
stay sound even with hard work. Conformation defects can make a horse weak in a
particular part or they can just make it less handsome.
, counter canter - Answers - A suppling movement deliberately asking for the opposite of
the normal lead, such as right lead on a circle to the left.
crest release - Answers - A way in which riders in the jumping 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 - Answers - A riding whip with a short, straight stock and a loop.
cross firing - Answers - A gait defect that occurs when the inside of the hind foot strikes
the diagonal foreleg.
curb bit - Answers - A type of bit designed to exert a leverage type of action in the
horse's mouth.
direct rein steering - Answers - The 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 - Answers - A time-tested, methodical progression of exercises designed to
increase a horse's muscular capabilities and degree of suppleness, allowing it to
perform increasingly difficult movements under saddle.
equine - Answers - A general description inclusive of horses, ponies, mules, donkeys or
miniatures.
equine assisted activities (EAA) - Answers - Activities that are facilitated by equine
professionals and may provide opportunities for participants to experience therapeutic
benefits.
Equine assisted therapy (EAT) - Answers - Treatments conducted by appropriately
licensed medical professionals. PATH Intl. provides standards of professionalism and
safety for all these EAAT professionals.
equitation - Answers - The act or art of riding horseback.
extended gait - Answers - Covering as much ground as possible, lengthening strides to
the utmost while maintaining the same rhythm.
far side - Answers - The right side of the horse.
footfall pattern - Answers - The sequence in which the legs
move in a gait, such as the walk, trot or canter.
