PATH INTL/ CTRI EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Broke - ANSWER-1. Tamed and trained to a particular function, as halter-broke.
2. To leave or alter gait (e.g., the trotter broke stride).
Balanced seat - ANSWER-That position of the mounted rider that requires the
minimum of muscular effort to remain in the saddle and that interferes least with
the horse's movement and equilibrium.
Blemish - ANSWER-A defect that hurts an equine's appearance but does not hurt
its working ability (e.g., a scar).
Bolting - ANSWER-An animal breaking out of control or trying to run away.
Bight in the reins - ANSWER-The part of the reins passing between thumb and
fingers and out the top of the hand.
Canter or lope - ANSWER-A three-beat gait in which the first and third beats are
made by two legs striking the ground independently and the second beat is made
by two limbs striking the ground simultaneously. In the left lead, the sequence of
beats is (1) right hind leg, (2) left hind leg and right foreleg, and (3) left foreleg.
The reverse applies for the right lead.
Cinch - ANSWER-Girth of a Western saddle.
Cold backed - ANSWER-Describes a horse that humps its back and does not settle
down until the saddle has been on a few minutes. Some "cold-backed" horses will
merely tuck their tails and arch their backs when first mounted, but others will take
a few crow hops until warmed up.
Cavesson - ANSWER-Headstall with a noseband (often quite large) used for
exercising and training horses.
Change of lead - ANSWER-Change of leading leg at the canter.
,Collected gait - ANSWER-Remaining on the bit, the horse moves forward with its
neck raised and arched as a result of energetic impulsion. Lightness of forehand,
engagement of hindquarters are called for. Shorter strides, but lighter and more
mobile.
Conformation - ANSWER-the way the horse is put together, its physique. Good
conformation is beautiful, but more important, it makes a horse able to work well
and stay sound even with hard work. Conformation defects can make a horse weak
in a particular part or they can just make it less handsome.
Counter canter - ANSWER-A suppling movement deliberately asking for the
opposite of the normal lead, such as right lead on a circle to the left.
Crest release - ANSWER-A way in which riders in the jumping position can
maintain balance and control by placing each hand firmly on top of the crest
approximately one-third the way up the horse's neck.
Crop - ANSWER-A riding whip with a short, straight stock and a loop.
Cross firing - ANSWER-A gait defect that occurs when the inside of the hind foot
strikes the diagonal foreleg.
Curb bit - ANSWER-A type of bit designed to exert a leverage type of action in
the horse's mouth.
Direct rein steering - ANSWER-The direct rein puts pressure on the bit, directly
back toward the rider. It works in opposition to the horse's forward motion. The
direct rein makes the horse shorten its stride for the turn, so it works best where
you need more control or a tight turn.
Dressage - ANSWER-A time-tested, methodical progression of exercises designed
to increase a horse's muscular capabilities and degree of suppleness, allowing it to
perform increasingly difficult movements under saddle.
Equine - ANSWER-A general description inclusive of horses, ponies, mules,
donkeys or miniatures.
,Equine assisted activities (EAA) - ANSWER-Activities that are facilitated by
equine professionals and may provide opportunities for participants to experience
therapeutic benefits.
Equitation - ANSWER-The act or art of riding horseback.
Equine assisted therapy (EAT) - ANSWER-Treatments conducted by appropriately
licensed medical professionals. PATH Intl. provides standards of professionalism
and safety for all these EAAT professionals.
Extended gait - ANSWER-Covering as much ground as possible, lengthening
strides to the utmost while maintaining the same rhythm.
Far side - ANSWER-The right side of the horse.
Footfall pattern - ANSWER-The sequence in which the legs
move in a gait, such as the walk, trot or canter.
Forehand - ANSWER-The front of the horse, including head, neck, shoulders and
forelegs; in other words, that portion of the horse in front of the center of gravity.
Forward seat - ANSWER-Style of riding that permits the rider to sit closer to the
forehand and permits adjustment of the center of gravity forward to negotiate
obstacles and remove the weight (seat) from the saddle when necessary.
Free Walk - ANSWER-A relaxed gait in which the horse is allowed complete
freedom to stretch out and lower its head and neck.
Girth - ANSWER-The strap or webbing that holds the saddle in place.
Half-pass - ANSWER-A variation of travers, executed on the diagonal instead of
along the wall. The horse, slightly bent round the inside leg of the rider, should be
as close as possible parallel to the long sides of the arena, the forehand slightly in
advance of the quarters.
, Hand Gallop - ANSWER-An extended canter, but the horse remains collected,
unlike the flat-out run when the horse's gait almost returns to a four-beat status.
Horse Leader - ANSWER-the person responsible for controlling the equine during
an EAA lesson/session.
Head carriage - ANSWER-Refers to the position in which the head and neck are
carried relative to the parallel. An ideal head carriage should have the neck parallel
to the ground to slightly above the parallel.
Headset - ANSWER-Refers to the amount of flexion at the poll. An ideal headset
should be perpendicular to the ground to slightly forward of the vertical.
Impulsion - ANSWER-Engagement of the hind legs and rounding of the back,
allowing the horse to move forward with greater energy.
Lead - ANSWER-The leading foot (leg) of a horse. When cantering circularly, the
foot to the inner arc of the circle clockwise, a right foot lead; and
counterclockwise, a left foot lead.
Leg Yield - ANSWER-A suppling exercise designed to make a horse responsive to
unilateral aids.
Lateral Bend - ANSWER-Refers to the horse's ability to curve or bend its body
from head to tail.
Lateral Movement - ANSWER-Work on two tracks, in which the horse is bent
uniformly from poll to tail and moves with the forehand and quarters on two
different tracks. Shoulder-in, haunches-in (travers), haunches-out (renvers), and
half-passes are lateral movements.
Medium Gait - ANSWER-Between the collected and extended.
Natural Aids - ANSWER-A natural aid is part of your body. Each natural aid has a
certain way of signaling the horse. There are four natural aids:
1. hands 2. voice 3. Legs 4. weight
ANSWERS
Broke - ANSWER-1. Tamed and trained to a particular function, as halter-broke.
2. To leave or alter gait (e.g., the trotter broke stride).
Balanced seat - ANSWER-That position of the mounted rider that requires the
minimum of muscular effort to remain in the saddle and that interferes least with
the horse's movement and equilibrium.
Blemish - ANSWER-A defect that hurts an equine's appearance but does not hurt
its working ability (e.g., a scar).
Bolting - ANSWER-An animal breaking out of control or trying to run away.
Bight in the reins - ANSWER-The part of the reins passing between thumb and
fingers and out the top of the hand.
Canter or lope - ANSWER-A three-beat gait in which the first and third beats are
made by two legs striking the ground independently and the second beat is made
by two limbs striking the ground simultaneously. In the left lead, the sequence of
beats is (1) right hind leg, (2) left hind leg and right foreleg, and (3) left foreleg.
The reverse applies for the right lead.
Cinch - ANSWER-Girth of a Western saddle.
Cold backed - ANSWER-Describes a horse that humps its back and does not settle
down until the saddle has been on a few minutes. Some "cold-backed" horses will
merely tuck their tails and arch their backs when first mounted, but others will take
a few crow hops until warmed up.
Cavesson - ANSWER-Headstall with a noseband (often quite large) used for
exercising and training horses.
Change of lead - ANSWER-Change of leading leg at the canter.
,Collected gait - ANSWER-Remaining on the bit, the horse moves forward with its
neck raised and arched as a result of energetic impulsion. Lightness of forehand,
engagement of hindquarters are called for. Shorter strides, but lighter and more
mobile.
Conformation - ANSWER-the way the horse is put together, its physique. Good
conformation is beautiful, but more important, it makes a horse able to work well
and stay sound even with hard work. Conformation defects can make a horse weak
in a particular part or they can just make it less handsome.
Counter canter - ANSWER-A suppling movement deliberately asking for the
opposite of the normal lead, such as right lead on a circle to the left.
Crest release - ANSWER-A way in which riders in the jumping position can
maintain balance and control by placing each hand firmly on top of the crest
approximately one-third the way up the horse's neck.
Crop - ANSWER-A riding whip with a short, straight stock and a loop.
Cross firing - ANSWER-A gait defect that occurs when the inside of the hind foot
strikes the diagonal foreleg.
Curb bit - ANSWER-A type of bit designed to exert a leverage type of action in
the horse's mouth.
Direct rein steering - ANSWER-The direct rein puts pressure on the bit, directly
back toward the rider. It works in opposition to the horse's forward motion. The
direct rein makes the horse shorten its stride for the turn, so it works best where
you need more control or a tight turn.
Dressage - ANSWER-A time-tested, methodical progression of exercises designed
to increase a horse's muscular capabilities and degree of suppleness, allowing it to
perform increasingly difficult movements under saddle.
Equine - ANSWER-A general description inclusive of horses, ponies, mules,
donkeys or miniatures.
,Equine assisted activities (EAA) - ANSWER-Activities that are facilitated by
equine professionals and may provide opportunities for participants to experience
therapeutic benefits.
Equitation - ANSWER-The act or art of riding horseback.
Equine assisted therapy (EAT) - ANSWER-Treatments conducted by appropriately
licensed medical professionals. PATH Intl. provides standards of professionalism
and safety for all these EAAT professionals.
Extended gait - ANSWER-Covering as much ground as possible, lengthening
strides to the utmost while maintaining the same rhythm.
Far side - ANSWER-The right side of the horse.
Footfall pattern - ANSWER-The sequence in which the legs
move in a gait, such as the walk, trot or canter.
Forehand - ANSWER-The front of the horse, including head, neck, shoulders and
forelegs; in other words, that portion of the horse in front of the center of gravity.
Forward seat - ANSWER-Style of riding that permits the rider to sit closer to the
forehand and permits adjustment of the center of gravity forward to negotiate
obstacles and remove the weight (seat) from the saddle when necessary.
Free Walk - ANSWER-A relaxed gait in which the horse is allowed complete
freedom to stretch out and lower its head and neck.
Girth - ANSWER-The strap or webbing that holds the saddle in place.
Half-pass - ANSWER-A variation of travers, executed on the diagonal instead of
along the wall. The horse, slightly bent round the inside leg of the rider, should be
as close as possible parallel to the long sides of the arena, the forehand slightly in
advance of the quarters.
, Hand Gallop - ANSWER-An extended canter, but the horse remains collected,
unlike the flat-out run when the horse's gait almost returns to a four-beat status.
Horse Leader - ANSWER-the person responsible for controlling the equine during
an EAA lesson/session.
Head carriage - ANSWER-Refers to the position in which the head and neck are
carried relative to the parallel. An ideal head carriage should have the neck parallel
to the ground to slightly above the parallel.
Headset - ANSWER-Refers to the amount of flexion at the poll. An ideal headset
should be perpendicular to the ground to slightly forward of the vertical.
Impulsion - ANSWER-Engagement of the hind legs and rounding of the back,
allowing the horse to move forward with greater energy.
Lead - ANSWER-The leading foot (leg) of a horse. When cantering circularly, the
foot to the inner arc of the circle clockwise, a right foot lead; and
counterclockwise, a left foot lead.
Leg Yield - ANSWER-A suppling exercise designed to make a horse responsive to
unilateral aids.
Lateral Bend - ANSWER-Refers to the horse's ability to curve or bend its body
from head to tail.
Lateral Movement - ANSWER-Work on two tracks, in which the horse is bent
uniformly from poll to tail and moves with the forehand and quarters on two
different tracks. Shoulder-in, haunches-in (travers), haunches-out (renvers), and
half-passes are lateral movements.
Medium Gait - ANSWER-Between the collected and extended.
Natural Aids - ANSWER-A natural aid is part of your body. Each natural aid has a
certain way of signaling the horse. There are four natural aids:
1. hands 2. voice 3. Legs 4. weight
