History

Three Gaits was started in 1983 by Gail Brown and Lorrie Renker, one horse and eight riders.  The guiding vision was a love for horses and an interest in providing equine-assisted activities for individuals with disabilities in Dane County. The name Three Gaits refers to three movements of a horse -- walk, trot and canter.

Community response to the program was enthusiastic, and by 1986, Three Gaits gained sufficient support to obtain a mortgage for our 20-acre farm located on Highway 138 between Stoughton and Oregon.  This move gave the non-profit organization greater flexibility in designing a quality program that is tailored specifically to individual needs of each rider.

Today, approximately fifteen program horses, a large number of volunteers, and a limited, yet very dedicated staff provide more than 250 children, youth and adults each year the opportunity to extend therapy, special education and interpersonal skill development into the horsemanship experience. This includes group lessons, day camp, individual and group therapy.

As a non-profit 501(c)3, tax-exempt corporation, Three Gaits relies on support from the community to accomplish its goals. Volunteers give time and special expertise at the stable, property or office.  Organizations contribute in many ways, including donating stable and riding equipment, funds for scholarships, buildings and special projects, or contributing a sound, quiet and well-trained horse or pony. 

The steady growth of Three Gaits therapeutic riding program and the continued demand for services make it evident that consumers and their families, as well as service providers and other professionals, feel that the program has a definite positive impact on the participants' lives.

Since 2002, Three Gaits has been a Premier Accredited Center with PATH International, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (formerly NARHA).  PATH International is responsible for establishing safety standards and quality control.  PATH International also certifies our riding instructors meaning they have passed written examinations and evaluations of their teaching and riding skills.  In addition instructors are First Aid and CPR certified and they participate in a minimum of twenty hours of continuing education annually. 

It is the policy of Three Gaits, Inc. to promote equal service and employment opportunities for all employees, clients, board members and applicants to the agency. Equal service and employment opportunity means the treatment of those categories of people mentioned above without regard to their age, race, sex, creed or religion, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, color, disability, ancestry, or political affiliation.