PATH CTRI Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Windpuffs - CORRECT ANSWER Fluid-filled swellings in the rear aspect of the
tendon/fetlock area—called 'windpuffs'—are a common condition in horses and result from
inflammation of the digital flexor tendon sheath.
Thoroughpin - CORRECT ANSWER Thoroughpin is a cosmetic blemish of the hock
area that is similar to windpuffs of the ankles (fetlocks). Specifically, thoroughpin is swelling
of the tendon sheath around the deep digital flexor tendon as it passes over the hock. This
swelling is not accompanied by heat or pain, and it does not usually cause lameness.
Sarcoid - CORRECT ANSWER Equine sarcoids are the most commonly diagnosed
tumor of equids, representing 20% of all equine neoplasms and 36% of all skin tumors in
horses. Studies suggest there is no significant sex or age predisposition. Equine sarcoids are
rarely life threatening but can compromise function and be an economic concern.
Proud flesh - CORRECT ANSWER Proud flesh is the overproduction of granulation
tissue in a horse. Granulation tissue is the material that the body makes during wound repair.
Medically, this condition is known as "exuberant granulation tissue." It is recognized by its
red, bumpy, cobblestone appearance.
Capped elbow - CORRECT ANSWER Capped elbow and capped hock are
inflammatory swellings of subcutaneous bursae in horses. The conditions are often termed
hygromas. Usually, capped hock and capped elbow occur in acquired bursae, but some horses
have naturally occurring subcutaneous calcaneal bursae. Can be causes by trauma to the area.
Capped hock - CORRECT ANSWER See capped elbow.
Bog Spavin - CORRECT ANSWER Bog spavin is a swelling of the tibiotarsal joint of
the horse's hock which, in itself, does not cause lameness. The joint becomes distended by
excess synovial fluid and/or thickened synovial tissue bringing about a soft, fluctuant
swelling on the front of the joint, as well as in the medial and lateral plantar pouches. Bog
spavin is generally an indication of underlying pathology within the joint. Bog spavin is a
physical finding, and does not directly create lameness. Causes include synovitis
, (inflammation of the lining of the joint capsule), degenerative joint disease, or excessive
strain of the joint capsule.
Buck knee - CORRECT ANSWER This is a forward deviation in which the knee is set
too far forward in relation to the leg.
Bowed tendon - CORRECT ANSWER Bowed tendon refers to tendon swelling that
appears as a bow in the leg. Chronic stress or an injury can cause a bowed tendon. Treatment
includes complete rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and gradual return to exercise.
Bone Spavin - CORRECT ANSWER Bone spavin is osteoarthritis, or the final phase of
degenerative joint disease (DJD), in the lower three hock joints. It usually affects the two
lowest joints of the hock (the tarsometatarsal and the distal intertarsal joints), with the third
joint, the proximal intertarsal, being the least likely to develop bone spavin. Can be caused by
excessive compression and uneven loading.
Contracted heels - CORRECT ANSWER Contracted heels are characterized by a
narrowing of the heel between the two bulbs, the soft fleshy area where the hoof wall, heel,
and coronary band come together. When this happens, it is important to provide the proper
hoof support in order to manage the condition, improve hoof health, and avoid lameness.
Founder (laminitis) - CORRECT ANSWER Laminitis or "Founder" that is associated
with Equine Metabolic Syndrome. EMS is often undiscovered until the horse or pony
develops laminitis ("founder"). "Laminitis" means inflammation of the lamina, which is the
tissue that attaches the hoof to the coffin bone in the foot. Can be caused by overfeeding,
being overweight, and a overheated animal drinking cold water.
Fistula - CORRECT ANSWER A fistula is an abnormal passage that leads from an
infection within the horse's body to the outside of the body, in the case of fistulous withers,
the outside of the horse's withers. Fistulous Withers is a chronic inflammatory disease of the
bursa, the sac-like container of lubricating fluid near the spine of the horse, caused by either
infection, parasites, or physical factors.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Windpuffs - CORRECT ANSWER Fluid-filled swellings in the rear aspect of the
tendon/fetlock area—called 'windpuffs'—are a common condition in horses and result from
inflammation of the digital flexor tendon sheath.
Thoroughpin - CORRECT ANSWER Thoroughpin is a cosmetic blemish of the hock
area that is similar to windpuffs of the ankles (fetlocks). Specifically, thoroughpin is swelling
of the tendon sheath around the deep digital flexor tendon as it passes over the hock. This
swelling is not accompanied by heat or pain, and it does not usually cause lameness.
Sarcoid - CORRECT ANSWER Equine sarcoids are the most commonly diagnosed
tumor of equids, representing 20% of all equine neoplasms and 36% of all skin tumors in
horses. Studies suggest there is no significant sex or age predisposition. Equine sarcoids are
rarely life threatening but can compromise function and be an economic concern.
Proud flesh - CORRECT ANSWER Proud flesh is the overproduction of granulation
tissue in a horse. Granulation tissue is the material that the body makes during wound repair.
Medically, this condition is known as "exuberant granulation tissue." It is recognized by its
red, bumpy, cobblestone appearance.
Capped elbow - CORRECT ANSWER Capped elbow and capped hock are
inflammatory swellings of subcutaneous bursae in horses. The conditions are often termed
hygromas. Usually, capped hock and capped elbow occur in acquired bursae, but some horses
have naturally occurring subcutaneous calcaneal bursae. Can be causes by trauma to the area.
Capped hock - CORRECT ANSWER See capped elbow.
Bog Spavin - CORRECT ANSWER Bog spavin is a swelling of the tibiotarsal joint of
the horse's hock which, in itself, does not cause lameness. The joint becomes distended by
excess synovial fluid and/or thickened synovial tissue bringing about a soft, fluctuant
swelling on the front of the joint, as well as in the medial and lateral plantar pouches. Bog
spavin is generally an indication of underlying pathology within the joint. Bog spavin is a
physical finding, and does not directly create lameness. Causes include synovitis
, (inflammation of the lining of the joint capsule), degenerative joint disease, or excessive
strain of the joint capsule.
Buck knee - CORRECT ANSWER This is a forward deviation in which the knee is set
too far forward in relation to the leg.
Bowed tendon - CORRECT ANSWER Bowed tendon refers to tendon swelling that
appears as a bow in the leg. Chronic stress or an injury can cause a bowed tendon. Treatment
includes complete rest, anti-inflammatory drugs and gradual return to exercise.
Bone Spavin - CORRECT ANSWER Bone spavin is osteoarthritis, or the final phase of
degenerative joint disease (DJD), in the lower three hock joints. It usually affects the two
lowest joints of the hock (the tarsometatarsal and the distal intertarsal joints), with the third
joint, the proximal intertarsal, being the least likely to develop bone spavin. Can be caused by
excessive compression and uneven loading.
Contracted heels - CORRECT ANSWER Contracted heels are characterized by a
narrowing of the heel between the two bulbs, the soft fleshy area where the hoof wall, heel,
and coronary band come together. When this happens, it is important to provide the proper
hoof support in order to manage the condition, improve hoof health, and avoid lameness.
Founder (laminitis) - CORRECT ANSWER Laminitis or "Founder" that is associated
with Equine Metabolic Syndrome. EMS is often undiscovered until the horse or pony
develops laminitis ("founder"). "Laminitis" means inflammation of the lamina, which is the
tissue that attaches the hoof to the coffin bone in the foot. Can be caused by overfeeding,
being overweight, and a overheated animal drinking cold water.
Fistula - CORRECT ANSWER A fistula is an abnormal passage that leads from an
infection within the horse's body to the outside of the body, in the case of fistulous withers,
the outside of the horse's withers. Fistulous Withers is a chronic inflammatory disease of the
bursa, the sac-like container of lubricating fluid near the spine of the horse, caused by either
infection, parasites, or physical factors.
