PATH CTRI Exam Study Guide Section 1
|| Questions & Solutions (Graded A+)
2026\2027 update
9 examples of blemishes - ANSWER - 1. Buck knee
2. Bog Spavin
3. Capped Hock
4. Capped Elbow
5. Proud Flesh
6. Sarcoid
7. Thoroughpin
8. Warts
9. Windpuffs
3 examples that could be Unsoundness/Blemish - ANSWER - 1. Curb
2. Sidebone
3. Splint
When viewed from the front, the instructor should be looking for the Equine's: -
ANSWER - - Width of chest
- Correctness of legs
- Spring of rib
- Head
- Depth of body
- Symmetry
When viewed from the rear, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: -
ANSWER - - Muscle definition
- Correctness of legs
- Depth of body
- Symmetry
When viewed from the side, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: -
ANSWER - - 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
,With the equine in movement, the instructor should be watching for: - ANSWER - -
Unsoundness
- Way of going
- Footfall patterns on two tracks
- Freedom of movement and bend
- Frame
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 - ANSWER - d. Windpuffs
What is the proper footfall for an equine at the trot?
a. LH, LF, RH, RF
b. LH + RF, RH + LF
c. LH, RH + LF, RF
d. LH, RH, LF, RF - ANSWER - b. LH + RF, RH + LF
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.
4 signs of discomfort that may be indication of unsoundness - ANSWER - 1. ear pinning
2. tail swishing
3. nipping
4. stiffness
, What are 6 possible causes to adverse equine behaviors? - ANSWER - 1. unsoundness
2. equipment fit
3. rider balance
4. rider behavior
5. working environment
6. volunteer influences
What are some ways to develop equine topline? - ANSWER - - Transitions between
gaits
- Lateral movements
- Bending exercises
- Walking up hills
- Body stretches
8 steps to ensure equine wellness - ANSWER - 1. Allow for breaks based on the
equine's age, fitness level, temperament, and workload
2. Thoughtfully and purposefully select equine partners for participants for lessons and
activities
3. Build relationships by pairing an equine with a specific instructor or volunteer for
personalized attention and veterinary recommendations specific to that horse
4. Tailor a workload appropriate for the equine in accordance with PATH standards
5. Monitor stressors within the program and herd
6. Promote consistent routine for each equine
7. Develop and execute personalized, consistent fitness programs for each equine
8. Nurture overall equine well-being by monitoring nutrition and health
Equine anatomy - ANSWER - Page 21
9 examples of unsoundness - ANSWER - 1. Bowed Tendon
2. Bone Spavin
3. Contracted Heels
4. Founder (Laminitis)
5. Fistula
6. Navicular
7. Quarter Check
8. Ringbone
9. Stifled
A horse leader is taking an equine in the ring for a warm-up. The instructor notices the
equine is walking behind the horse leader and is taking narrow, shortened steps. What
is MOST LIKELY the issue to address?
a. Abscess
b. Sidebone
c. Navicular syndrome
d. Arthritis - ANSWER - d. Arthritis
|| Questions & Solutions (Graded A+)
2026\2027 update
9 examples of blemishes - ANSWER - 1. Buck knee
2. Bog Spavin
3. Capped Hock
4. Capped Elbow
5. Proud Flesh
6. Sarcoid
7. Thoroughpin
8. Warts
9. Windpuffs
3 examples that could be Unsoundness/Blemish - ANSWER - 1. Curb
2. Sidebone
3. Splint
When viewed from the front, the instructor should be looking for the Equine's: -
ANSWER - - Width of chest
- Correctness of legs
- Spring of rib
- Head
- Depth of body
- Symmetry
When viewed from the rear, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: -
ANSWER - - Muscle definition
- Correctness of legs
- Depth of body
- Symmetry
When viewed from the side, the instructor should be looking for the equine's: -
ANSWER - - 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
,With the equine in movement, the instructor should be watching for: - ANSWER - -
Unsoundness
- Way of going
- Footfall patterns on two tracks
- Freedom of movement and bend
- Frame
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 - ANSWER - d. Windpuffs
What is the proper footfall for an equine at the trot?
a. LH, LF, RH, RF
b. LH + RF, RH + LF
c. LH, RH + LF, RF
d. LH, RH, LF, RF - ANSWER - b. LH + RF, RH + LF
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.
4 signs of discomfort that may be indication of unsoundness - ANSWER - 1. ear pinning
2. tail swishing
3. nipping
4. stiffness
, What are 6 possible causes to adverse equine behaviors? - ANSWER - 1. unsoundness
2. equipment fit
3. rider balance
4. rider behavior
5. working environment
6. volunteer influences
What are some ways to develop equine topline? - ANSWER - - Transitions between
gaits
- Lateral movements
- Bending exercises
- Walking up hills
- Body stretches
8 steps to ensure equine wellness - ANSWER - 1. Allow for breaks based on the
equine's age, fitness level, temperament, and workload
2. Thoughtfully and purposefully select equine partners for participants for lessons and
activities
3. Build relationships by pairing an equine with a specific instructor or volunteer for
personalized attention and veterinary recommendations specific to that horse
4. Tailor a workload appropriate for the equine in accordance with PATH standards
5. Monitor stressors within the program and herd
6. Promote consistent routine for each equine
7. Develop and execute personalized, consistent fitness programs for each equine
8. Nurture overall equine well-being by monitoring nutrition and health
Equine anatomy - ANSWER - Page 21
9 examples of unsoundness - ANSWER - 1. Bowed Tendon
2. Bone Spavin
3. Contracted Heels
4. Founder (Laminitis)
5. Fistula
6. Navicular
7. Quarter Check
8. Ringbone
9. Stifled
A horse leader is taking an equine in the ring for a warm-up. The instructor notices the
equine is walking behind the horse leader and is taking narrow, shortened steps. What
is MOST LIKELY the issue to address?
a. Abscess
b. Sidebone
c. Navicular syndrome
d. Arthritis - ANSWER - d. Arthritis
