Page |1
CTRI Study Guide Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
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: - removing him from the lesson
- allowing more time for warm-up before mounting
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.
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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 andto
reduce the impact of his self-stimulation behaviors on the horse. Once
the rider's behavior has been addressed, the instructor coaches th
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.
Why is it important for the horse to have a well maintained top-line?
Ans: an equine with a well-maintained topline can better
manage the demands of carrying unbalanced riders, age more
gracefully and potentially have a longer ability to stay active in
an EAAT program
What are a few exercises to help develop the horses top-line?
Ans: - Transitions with forward movement to encourage
balance, and impulsion
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
- Lateral movements like leg yields to drive the horse forward
and sideways
- Bending/circles
- Walking up hills
- Body stretches (belly lift, carrot stretch, back stretch )
What are the steps to ensuring equine wellness?
Ans: -Allow for breaks based on the equine's age, fitness level,
temperament and workload.
- Thoughtfully and purposefully select equine partners for
participants for lessons and activities.
- Build relationships by pairing an equine with a specific
instructor or volunteer for personalized attention and
veterinary recommendations specific to that horse.
- Tailor a workload appropriate for the equine in accordance
with PATH Intl. standards.
- Monitor stressors within the program and herd.
- Promote a consistent routine for each equine.
- Develop and execute personalized, consistent fitness
programs for each equine.
- Nurture overall equine well-being by monitoring nutrition and
health.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
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 injuryhas 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 the right,
which may have caused her tendon injury. A
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 viewing a horse from the front, we should be looking for the
horses...
Ans: - width of chest
- correctness of legs
- spring of rib
- head
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
CTRI Study Guide Questions and Correct
Answers/ Latest Update / Already Graded
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: - removing him from the lesson
- allowing more time for warm-up before mounting
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.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |2
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 andto
reduce the impact of his self-stimulation behaviors on the horse. Once
the rider's behavior has been addressed, the instructor coaches th
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.
Why is it important for the horse to have a well maintained top-line?
Ans: an equine with a well-maintained topline can better
manage the demands of carrying unbalanced riders, age more
gracefully and potentially have a longer ability to stay active in
an EAAT program
What are a few exercises to help develop the horses top-line?
Ans: - Transitions with forward movement to encourage
balance, and impulsion
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |3
- Lateral movements like leg yields to drive the horse forward
and sideways
- Bending/circles
- Walking up hills
- Body stretches (belly lift, carrot stretch, back stretch )
What are the steps to ensuring equine wellness?
Ans: -Allow for breaks based on the equine's age, fitness level,
temperament and workload.
- Thoughtfully and purposefully select equine partners for
participants for lessons and activities.
- Build relationships by pairing an equine with a specific
instructor or volunteer for personalized attention and
veterinary recommendations specific to that horse.
- Tailor a workload appropriate for the equine in accordance
with PATH Intl. standards.
- Monitor stressors within the program and herd.
- Promote a consistent routine for each equine.
- Develop and execute personalized, consistent fitness
programs for each equine.
- Nurture overall equine well-being by monitoring nutrition and
health.
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
, Page |4
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 injuryhas 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 the right,
which may have caused her tendon injury. A
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 viewing a horse from the front, we should be looking for the
horses...
Ans: - width of chest
- correctness of legs
- spring of rib
- head
All rights reserved © 2025/ 2026 |
