CTRI Exam – Questions & Correct Answers (Verified)
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? Right 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- Right Ans - a serious condition that affects an equine's
usefulness and way of moving. The CTRI must be able to recognize visual signs
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
Right 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.
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 Right 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:
Right Ans - -width of chest
-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:
Right Ans - -muscle definition
-correctness of legs
-depth of body
-symmetry
When viewed from the side, the instructor should be looking for the equine's:
Right 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
An equine's conformation will affect its "way of going." Each equine should be
observed in motion from the front, from the hind and from the side at all gaits
as well as on a bend. With the equine in movement, the instructor should be
watching for: Right Ans - • unsoundness
• way of going
• footfall patterns on two tracks
• freedom of movement and bend
• frame unsoundness
• way of going
• footfall patterns on two tracks
• freedom of movement and bend
• frame
While preparing a horse that has been in a therapeutic riding program for
many years, the instructor observes that the animal's bursa and deep flexor
tendon areas are inflamed. The horse does not show any signs of lameness.
What is MOST LIKELY the cause?
a. Carpitis
b. Capped elbow
c. Dorsal metacarpal disease
d. Windpuffs Right Ans - d. Windpuffs
From the picture below, what is the proper footfall for an equine at the trot?
a. 2 | 4
1|3
b. 2 | 1
1|2
c. 2 | 3
1|2
, d. 3 | 4
1|2 Right Ans - b. 2 | 1
1|2
While warming up an equine at the trot, the instructor observes the horse's
head pop up and then drop down dramatically and uncharacteristically and
with the rhythm of the trot. What is happening?
a. When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up. When a
sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head drops.
b. When a sound foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up. When a
lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head drops.
c. When a horse has an energetic trot, the head movement is much more
pronounced.
d. When a horse has an energetic trot, the horse's head will drop when the
rider's outside leg is too far behind the girth. Right Ans - a. When a lame
foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up. When a sound foot strikes
the ground, the horse's head drops.
A horse leader is taking an equine in the ring for a warm-up. The instructor
notices the equine is walking behind the horse leader and is taking narrow,
shortened steps. What is MOST LIKELY the issue to address?
a. Abscess
b. Sidebone
c. Navicular syndrome
d. Arthritis Right Ans - d. Arthritis
During a lesson, the instructor observes that an equine is swishing the tail,
nipping at people and pinning its ears. These behaviors could likely indicate
any of the following EXCEPT:
a. unbalanced rider.
b. incorrect handling by leader.
c. increased enrichment in class.
d. having too many people in space. Right Ans - c. increased enrichment in
class.