PATH INTL CTRI STUDY GUIDE PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH 100%
COMPLETE ANSWERS, ALREADY PASSED!!
Question 1
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 digital 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
E) Navicular Syndrome
Correct Answer: D) Windpuffs
Rationale: Windpuffs are soft, fluid-filled swellings around the fetlock or pastern joints,
often involving the bursa and deep digital flexor tendon, and they typically do not cause
lameness.
Question 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 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.
E) The horse is displaying signs of excitement and playfulness.
Correct Answer: A) When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up. When a
sound foot strikes the ground, the horses head drops
Rationale: This head-bobbing motion is a classic sign of lameness. The horse raises its head
to take weight off the painful (lame) limb and drops its head when the sound limb bears
weight.
,Question 3
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, especially in the hind end.
What is MOST LIKELY the issue to address?
A) Abscess
B) Sidebone
C) Navicular Syndrome
D) Arthritis
E) Windpuffs
Correct Answer: D) Arthritis
Rationale: Narrow, shortened steps and reluctance to move forward, particularly in the
hind end, are common signs of stiffness and pain associated with arthritis, especially in
older horses.
Question 4
During a lesson, the instructor observes that an equine is swishing its 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
E) Poorly fitting tack
Correct Answer: C) Increased Enrichment in class
Rationale: Tail swishing, nipping, and ear pinning are signs of agitation, stress, or pain.
Increased enrichment would likely decrease, not cause, these behaviors.
Question 5
A participant is sweating, breathing rapidly, and refusing to comply with directions during a
lesson. What is the MOST LIKELY cause of this behavior?
A) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B) Anxiety
C) Sensory processing disorder
,D) Bipolar disorder
E) Low muscle tone
Correct Answer: B) Anxiety
Rationale: Sweating, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and non-compliance are classic
physiological and behavioral responses to anxiety or a panic response.
Question 6
Why is an atlantoaxial instability test required for participants with Down syndrome?
A) To indicate if the heart is healthy enough for activity.
B) To indicate if vertebra spacing is safe for activity.
C) To indicate if gastrointestinal abnormalities prevent activity.
D) To indicate if immune disorders prevent activity.
E) To screen for seizure activity.
Correct Answer: B) Physical indicates if vertebra spacing is safe enough for activity
Rationale: Individuals with Down syndrome are at higher risk for atlantoaxial instability (a
lax joint between the first two cervical vertebrae), and a physician must confirm the
spacing is safe for riding activities.
Question 7
When teaching a volunteer to support a rider, all of the following are appropriate supports
EXCEPT:
A) Thigh hold
B) Ankle hold
C) Thigh and ankle hold
D) Thigh and hip hold
E) Calf hold
Correct Answer: D) Thigh and hip hold
Rationale: A thigh and hip hold is not a standard or recommended support hold. Thigh and
ankle holds are common, but a hip hold can be restrictive and less effective.
Question 8
An instructor is teaching a horse leader proper procedures for an emergency dismount. What
does the horse leader do during this event?
, A) Stay with the equine.
B) Stay with the rider.
C) Unclip from the horse.
D) Tie off the horse.
E) Call for assistance.
Correct Answer: A) Stay with the Equine
Rationale: During an emergency dismount, the sidewalker's priority is the rider, while the
horse leader's priority is to maintain control of the equine.
Question 9
All of the following responsibilities can be conducted by trained volunteers EXCEPT:
A) Physical warm-up of equines
B) Assisting with mounting and dismounting
C) Soundness check
D) Cooling off of equines
E) Grooming and tacking
Correct Answer: C) Soundness check
Rationale: A soundness check requires the expertise of an instructor or equine manager to
assess for lameness or other health issues and cannot be delegated to a volunteer.
Question 10
What is the BEST strategy an instructor can use to ensure they are teaching each component of a
new skill?
A) State clear and detailed verbal instructions.
B) Perform a task analysis of the skill.
C) Use knowledgeable coaches to provide prompting when needed.
D) Videotape a lesson and have a peer provide feedback.
E) Ask the participant to repeat the instructions.
Correct Answer: B) Perform Task Analysis of the skill
Rationale: A task analysis breaks down a complex skill into its smallest, sequential
components, ensuring the instructor teaches each part systematically.
COMPLETE ANSWERS, ALREADY PASSED!!
Question 1
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 digital 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
E) Navicular Syndrome
Correct Answer: D) Windpuffs
Rationale: Windpuffs are soft, fluid-filled swellings around the fetlock or pastern joints,
often involving the bursa and deep digital flexor tendon, and they typically do not cause
lameness.
Question 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 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.
E) The horse is displaying signs of excitement and playfulness.
Correct Answer: A) When a lame foot strikes the ground, the horse's head pops up. When a
sound foot strikes the ground, the horses head drops
Rationale: This head-bobbing motion is a classic sign of lameness. The horse raises its head
to take weight off the painful (lame) limb and drops its head when the sound limb bears
weight.
,Question 3
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, especially in the hind end.
What is MOST LIKELY the issue to address?
A) Abscess
B) Sidebone
C) Navicular Syndrome
D) Arthritis
E) Windpuffs
Correct Answer: D) Arthritis
Rationale: Narrow, shortened steps and reluctance to move forward, particularly in the
hind end, are common signs of stiffness and pain associated with arthritis, especially in
older horses.
Question 4
During a lesson, the instructor observes that an equine is swishing its 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
E) Poorly fitting tack
Correct Answer: C) Increased Enrichment in class
Rationale: Tail swishing, nipping, and ear pinning are signs of agitation, stress, or pain.
Increased enrichment would likely decrease, not cause, these behaviors.
Question 5
A participant is sweating, breathing rapidly, and refusing to comply with directions during a
lesson. What is the MOST LIKELY cause of this behavior?
A) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
B) Anxiety
C) Sensory processing disorder
,D) Bipolar disorder
E) Low muscle tone
Correct Answer: B) Anxiety
Rationale: Sweating, rapid breathing (hyperventilation), and non-compliance are classic
physiological and behavioral responses to anxiety or a panic response.
Question 6
Why is an atlantoaxial instability test required for participants with Down syndrome?
A) To indicate if the heart is healthy enough for activity.
B) To indicate if vertebra spacing is safe for activity.
C) To indicate if gastrointestinal abnormalities prevent activity.
D) To indicate if immune disorders prevent activity.
E) To screen for seizure activity.
Correct Answer: B) Physical indicates if vertebra spacing is safe enough for activity
Rationale: Individuals with Down syndrome are at higher risk for atlantoaxial instability (a
lax joint between the first two cervical vertebrae), and a physician must confirm the
spacing is safe for riding activities.
Question 7
When teaching a volunteer to support a rider, all of the following are appropriate supports
EXCEPT:
A) Thigh hold
B) Ankle hold
C) Thigh and ankle hold
D) Thigh and hip hold
E) Calf hold
Correct Answer: D) Thigh and hip hold
Rationale: A thigh and hip hold is not a standard or recommended support hold. Thigh and
ankle holds are common, but a hip hold can be restrictive and less effective.
Question 8
An instructor is teaching a horse leader proper procedures for an emergency dismount. What
does the horse leader do during this event?
, A) Stay with the equine.
B) Stay with the rider.
C) Unclip from the horse.
D) Tie off the horse.
E) Call for assistance.
Correct Answer: A) Stay with the Equine
Rationale: During an emergency dismount, the sidewalker's priority is the rider, while the
horse leader's priority is to maintain control of the equine.
Question 9
All of the following responsibilities can be conducted by trained volunteers EXCEPT:
A) Physical warm-up of equines
B) Assisting with mounting and dismounting
C) Soundness check
D) Cooling off of equines
E) Grooming and tacking
Correct Answer: C) Soundness check
Rationale: A soundness check requires the expertise of an instructor or equine manager to
assess for lameness or other health issues and cannot be delegated to a volunteer.
Question 10
What is the BEST strategy an instructor can use to ensure they are teaching each component of a
new skill?
A) State clear and detailed verbal instructions.
B) Perform a task analysis of the skill.
C) Use knowledgeable coaches to provide prompting when needed.
D) Videotape a lesson and have a peer provide feedback.
E) Ask the participant to repeat the instructions.
Correct Answer: B) Perform Task Analysis of the skill
Rationale: A task analysis breaks down a complex skill into its smallest, sequential
components, ensuring the instructor teaches each part systematically.
