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PATH INTL CTRI STUDY GUIDE LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
PATH International CTRI Study Guide
The PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI®)
exam is the entry-level credential for professionals in equine-assisted
services (EAS) who provide riding instruction of therapeutic value to
people with disabilities. This guide provides a comprehensive
overview of the certification process, exam content, test-taking
strategies, and practice questions to help you prepare.
1. What is the normal resting heart rate range for an adult horse?
A) 28-44 beats per minute
B) 60-80 beats per minute
C) 10-20 beats per minute
D) 80-100 beats per minute
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Answer: A – The normal resting heart rate for an adult horse is 28-44 beats per minute. Foals
have higher rates (60-80 bpm). Rates above 44 may indicate pain, stress, or illness.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of colic in horses?
A) Overfeeding grain
B) Sudden change in feed
C) Parasites
D) All of the above
Answer: D – Colic can result from multiple causes including sudden feed changes, overfeeding
grain, parasites, inadequate water intake, and stress. Prevention includes gradual feed
transitions and regular deworming.
3. When assessing equine conformation, a horse that is "cow-hocked" has which characteristic?
A) Hocks that turn inward
B) Hocks that turn outward
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C) Straight hind legs
D) Sickle-hocked conformation
Answer: A – Cow-hocked refers to hocks that point inward toward each other. This
conformation can affect the horse's ability to track straight and may predispose to certain
lameness issues.
4. Which type of hoof condition involves the separation of the hoof wall from the underlying
sensitive laminae?
A) Thrush
B) Laminitis
C) White line disease
D) Quarter crack
Answer: C – White line disease is a separation of the hoof wall from the underlying laminae at
the white line junction. Laminitis involves inflammation of the laminae, thrush affects the frog,
and quarter cracks are vertical fissures.
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5. A horse's teeth should be examined by a veterinarian or equine dentist at least:
A) Every 3 months
B) Every 6 months
C) Every 12 months
D) Every 24 months
Answer: C – Horses' teeth should be examined at least annually. Floating (filing) may be needed
to remove sharp points that can cause discomfort and interfere with proper chewing.
6. Which of the following is the correct order of the horse's digestive system?
A) Mouth → esophagus → stomach → small intestine → cecum → large colon → small colon →
rectum
B) Mouth → esophagus → stomach → cecum → small intestine → large colon → rectum
C) Mouth → stomach → esophagus → small intestine → large colon → cecum → rectum
D) Mouth → esophagus → cecum → stomach → small intestine → rectum
4
PATH INTL CTRI STUDY GUIDE LATEST UPDATE THIS
YEAR (2026-2027) ALL 300 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
PATH International CTRI Study Guide
The PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI®)
exam is the entry-level credential for professionals in equine-assisted
services (EAS) who provide riding instruction of therapeutic value to
people with disabilities. This guide provides a comprehensive
overview of the certification process, exam content, test-taking
strategies, and practice questions to help you prepare.
1. What is the normal resting heart rate range for an adult horse?
A) 28-44 beats per minute
B) 60-80 beats per minute
C) 10-20 beats per minute
D) 80-100 beats per minute
1
, Page 2 of 165
Answer: A – The normal resting heart rate for an adult horse is 28-44 beats per minute. Foals
have higher rates (60-80 bpm). Rates above 44 may indicate pain, stress, or illness.
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of colic in horses?
A) Overfeeding grain
B) Sudden change in feed
C) Parasites
D) All of the above
Answer: D – Colic can result from multiple causes including sudden feed changes, overfeeding
grain, parasites, inadequate water intake, and stress. Prevention includes gradual feed
transitions and regular deworming.
3. When assessing equine conformation, a horse that is "cow-hocked" has which characteristic?
A) Hocks that turn inward
B) Hocks that turn outward
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C) Straight hind legs
D) Sickle-hocked conformation
Answer: A – Cow-hocked refers to hocks that point inward toward each other. This
conformation can affect the horse's ability to track straight and may predispose to certain
lameness issues.
4. Which type of hoof condition involves the separation of the hoof wall from the underlying
sensitive laminae?
A) Thrush
B) Laminitis
C) White line disease
D) Quarter crack
Answer: C – White line disease is a separation of the hoof wall from the underlying laminae at
the white line junction. Laminitis involves inflammation of the laminae, thrush affects the frog,
and quarter cracks are vertical fissures.
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5. A horse's teeth should be examined by a veterinarian or equine dentist at least:
A) Every 3 months
B) Every 6 months
C) Every 12 months
D) Every 24 months
Answer: C – Horses' teeth should be examined at least annually. Floating (filing) may be needed
to remove sharp points that can cause discomfort and interfere with proper chewing.
6. Which of the following is the correct order of the horse's digestive system?
A) Mouth → esophagus → stomach → small intestine → cecum → large colon → small colon →
rectum
B) Mouth → esophagus → stomach → cecum → small intestine → large colon → rectum
C) Mouth → stomach → esophagus → small intestine → large colon → cecum → rectum
D) Mouth → esophagus → cecum → stomach → small intestine → rectum
4
