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CTRI Exam Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Graded A+
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
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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.
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.
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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
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-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:
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
CTRI Exam Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Graded A+
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
, Page |2
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.
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.
, Page |3
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
, Page |4
-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:
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
