CTRI EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Dudley, a 16-year-old quarter horse, has arrived in the arena a few minutes before his assigned
lesson with his horse leader, Maggie. As the instructor is completing the set-up of arena
equipment, she observes as Maggie warms Dudley up at walk and trot in hand. Dudley appears
to be stiffer than usual in the hind end at the trot. The instructor coaches Maggie to walk and
trot Dudley more forward, which will allow him to loosen up before his rider mounts. The
lesson plan for the day includes four trot poles. However, based on how Dudley is presenting in
his warm-up, the instructor modifies her set-up to reduce the demands on the horse's hind end.
After the lesson, the instructor shares her observations of Dudley's stiffness with the barn
manager for further evaluation.
What are two other choices that the instructor could have made regarding Dudley's stiffness? -
ANS Two other options for managing Dudley's stiffness are removing him from the lesson or
allowing more time for warm-up before mounting.
Unsoundness is- - ANS a serious condition that affects an equine's usefulness and way of
moving. The CTRI must be able to recognize visual signs of discomfort in the horse that may be
an indication of unsoundness, such as ear pinning, tail swishing, nipping or stiffness.
Horse Biting Handler During Lesson
Richard is a 10-year-old rider with autism who is riding Jack, a 17-year-old Haflinger gelding.
Richard is very excited to trot, which causes him to bounce on Jack's back during transition to
the trot. The instructor observes that Jack is nipping at his horse leader. The horse handler
moves his hand up to hold Jack's halter as a defensive response to the nipping behavior.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,The instructor identifies three corrections that need to be made to address Jack's biting
behavior and the safety of the horse handler based on her observations. First, the instructor
gives the rider a verbal correction to let Richard know that his bouncing is making his horse
uncomfortable. Additionally, the instructor has Richard trot in half-seat position to increase the
weight bearing input he is getting and to reduce the impact of his self-stimulation behaviors on
the horse. Once the rider's behavior has been - ANS Jack would benefit from a variety of
interventions to prevent burnout: exercise by a skilled rider outside of the arena, an evaluation
of equipment fit, chiropractic/acupuncture/massage treatment, a week off from therapeutic
riding lessons.
Evaluation of a Potential Therapeutic Riding Horse
An instructor and equine manager are searching for an equine to carry adult riders. They are
considering a 16-hand draft cross mare who is 20 years old. She has been an event horse and is
retiring from that career due to a tendon injury in her right front leg. The injury has been
rehabbed and the horse is back to work doing light trail riding. When evaluating the mare's
conformation, the instructor notes that the horse has three balanced parts (neck and shoulder,
back and barrel, hindquarters) and a wide spring of ribs. Her hind legs are placed close together
and she is cow hocked, which is typical of most work horse breeds. She has windpuffs on both
hind legs, likely due to her conformation in relation to jumping. The mare's front legs are
square under her chest and straight. Her feet are of good quality and she is only shod up front;
however, she is clubfooted on - ANS The mare described has three balanced parts with a
wide spring of her rib, which is indicative of a strong back. Additionally, at 16 hands this mare is
not too tall for use of sidewalkers should they be required for those riding her.
When viewed from the front, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: - ANS -width
of chest
-correctness of legs
-spring of rib
-head
-depth of body
-symmetry
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,When viewed from the rear, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: - ANS -muscle
definition
-correctness of legs
-depth of body
-symmetry
When viewed from the side, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: -
ANS •balance and symmetry
• length and thickness of neck
• length and lie of topline
• length of bone in the legs
• depth of body
• joint angles
• correctness of legs
An equine's conformation will affect its "way of going." Each equine should be observed in
motion from the front, from the hind and from the side at all gaits as well as on a bend. With
the equine in movement, the instructor should be watching for: - ANS • unsoundness
• way of going
• footfall patterns on two tracks
• freedom of movement and bend
• frame unsoundness
• way of going
• footfall patterns on two tracks
• freedom of movement and bend
• frame
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, 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 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 - ANS d. Windpuffs
From the picture below, what is the proper footfall for an equine at the trot?
a. 2 | 4
1|3
b. 2 | 1
1|2
c. 2 | 3
1|2
d. 3 | 4
1 | 2 - ANS b. 2 | 1
1|2
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.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
ANSWERS
Dudley, a 16-year-old quarter horse, has arrived in the arena a few minutes before his assigned
lesson with his horse leader, Maggie. As the instructor is completing the set-up of arena
equipment, she observes as Maggie warms Dudley up at walk and trot in hand. Dudley appears
to be stiffer than usual in the hind end at the trot. The instructor coaches Maggie to walk and
trot Dudley more forward, which will allow him to loosen up before his rider mounts. The
lesson plan for the day includes four trot poles. However, based on how Dudley is presenting in
his warm-up, the instructor modifies her set-up to reduce the demands on the horse's hind end.
After the lesson, the instructor shares her observations of Dudley's stiffness with the barn
manager for further evaluation.
What are two other choices that the instructor could have made regarding Dudley's stiffness? -
ANS Two other options for managing Dudley's stiffness are removing him from the lesson or
allowing more time for warm-up before mounting.
Unsoundness is- - ANS a serious condition that affects an equine's usefulness and way of
moving. The CTRI must be able to recognize visual signs of discomfort in the horse that may be
an indication of unsoundness, such as ear pinning, tail swishing, nipping or stiffness.
Horse Biting Handler During Lesson
Richard is a 10-year-old rider with autism who is riding Jack, a 17-year-old Haflinger gelding.
Richard is very excited to trot, which causes him to bounce on Jack's back during transition to
the trot. The instructor observes that Jack is nipping at his horse leader. The horse handler
moves his hand up to hold Jack's halter as a defensive response to the nipping behavior.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
,The instructor identifies three corrections that need to be made to address Jack's biting
behavior and the safety of the horse handler based on her observations. First, the instructor
gives the rider a verbal correction to let Richard know that his bouncing is making his horse
uncomfortable. Additionally, the instructor has Richard trot in half-seat position to increase the
weight bearing input he is getting and to reduce the impact of his self-stimulation behaviors on
the horse. Once the rider's behavior has been - ANS Jack would benefit from a variety of
interventions to prevent burnout: exercise by a skilled rider outside of the arena, an evaluation
of equipment fit, chiropractic/acupuncture/massage treatment, a week off from therapeutic
riding lessons.
Evaluation of a Potential Therapeutic Riding Horse
An instructor and equine manager are searching for an equine to carry adult riders. They are
considering a 16-hand draft cross mare who is 20 years old. She has been an event horse and is
retiring from that career due to a tendon injury in her right front leg. The injury has been
rehabbed and the horse is back to work doing light trail riding. When evaluating the mare's
conformation, the instructor notes that the horse has three balanced parts (neck and shoulder,
back and barrel, hindquarters) and a wide spring of ribs. Her hind legs are placed close together
and she is cow hocked, which is typical of most work horse breeds. She has windpuffs on both
hind legs, likely due to her conformation in relation to jumping. The mare's front legs are
square under her chest and straight. Her feet are of good quality and she is only shod up front;
however, she is clubfooted on - ANS The mare described has three balanced parts with a
wide spring of her rib, which is indicative of a strong back. Additionally, at 16 hands this mare is
not too tall for use of sidewalkers should they be required for those riding her.
When viewed from the front, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: - ANS -width
of chest
-correctness of legs
-spring of rib
-head
-depth of body
-symmetry
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
,When viewed from the rear, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: - ANS -muscle
definition
-correctness of legs
-depth of body
-symmetry
When viewed from the side, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: -
ANS •balance and symmetry
• length and thickness of neck
• length and lie of topline
• length of bone in the legs
• depth of body
• joint angles
• correctness of legs
An equine's conformation will affect its "way of going." Each equine should be observed in
motion from the front, from the hind and from the side at all gaits as well as on a bend. With
the equine in movement, the instructor should be watching for: - ANS • unsoundness
• way of going
• footfall patterns on two tracks
• freedom of movement and bend
• frame unsoundness
• way of going
• footfall patterns on two tracks
• freedom of movement and bend
• frame
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 3
, 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 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 - ANS d. Windpuffs
From the picture below, what is the proper footfall for an equine at the trot?
a. 2 | 4
1|3
b. 2 | 1
1|2
c. 2 | 3
1|2
d. 3 | 4
1 | 2 - ANS b. 2 | 1
1|2
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.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 4
