Programs

2024 Lesson Plans

Program Descriptions

  1. Therapeutic Riding - Incorporates education, competition, therapy and recreation activities into horseback riding, with lessons focused on helping riders achieve self/family-determined goals. Therapeutic riding lessons are conducted by PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructors who are specially trained in working with people with disabilities. While there is an inherent therapeutic value in horseback riding, therapeutic riding lessons focus on teaching riding skills that also achieve goals for other areas of life.
  2. Horsemanship from the Ground -  Students work with horses from the ground to learn about safe handling, proper horse care and horse behavior. It incorporates decision-making skills, direction following, calming strategies, teamwork and physical activity.
  3. Occupational Therapy (also known as hippotherapy) - A therapist uses the movement of the horse as a treatment tool, working toward functional goals.  

Therapeutic Riding

Three Gaits is planning for a full and safe year of lessons in five, 6- and 8-week terms of lessons. Registration for lessons will be available for students who have returned all required forms and had an assessment completed. Upcoming terms include:

  • Term 1 Feb. 19 - March 31 (6 weeks)
  • Term 2 April 15 – June 10 (8 weeks)
  • Term 3 June 24 – August 25 (8 weeks, no lessons July 1 - 12 for Independence Day holiday break)
  • Term 4 Sept. 6 – Oct. 20 (6 weeks)
  • Term 5 Nov. 4 – Dec. 15 (5 weeks, no lessons week of Thanksgiving)

As a popular and effective program for students to reach their individual goals through learning to ride or work with a horse, we have a waiting list. With new instructors in the certification process and a vigorous search for just the right horses, we are working to move your student into lessons as quickly as possible.

How to Join Our Program

All students who have never participated at Three Gaits or have not participated at Three Gaits in more than one year, must have an assessment before they start lessons to assure safety and benefit to the student. Some students' health conditions may not be appropriate for therapeutic riding; others may not actually enjoy the experience when they try it out. The assessment helps everyone understand these things, determine class placement and identify goals for the term.

Scheduling an Assessment

Due to the waiting list, at this time prospective students should simply send the student's name, a responsible party's (self/parent/guardian/case manager) name, email address and phone number to info@three-gaits.org.

Three Gaits will contact students for an assessment appointment with at least one month lead time. Three Gaits will send the current enrollment forms, which must be fully completed before the assessment appointment. Use the fillable pdfs or scan and email to info@three-gaits.org for fastest service.

If you must print and mail, please address to:
Program Manager
Three Gaits Inc.
3741 State Road 138
Stoughton WI 53589

Please note we no longer have a PO box or fax line.

Program Fees

Three Gaits strives to reduce financial barriers to access. We accept private payment through cash or credit card, third-party payment through the public benefit Children's Long Term Services and IRIS programs, and we offers financial assistance through scholarship support. We also conduct additional fund raising to reduce participant costs for lessons.

  • Assessment 
    All new students and must have an assessment prior to starting lessons. The usual and customary fee is $116.73 . Discounted rate for self-payment by cash or check prior to the assessment is $99.20. We reserve the right to ask for an additional assessment for clients who have taken a one-year break from our program and wish to return.
  • Therapeutic Riding and Unmounted Activities Fees. Lessons are grouped into "terms", single lessons not available.
  • Most terms are 8-weeks. Some terms may be shorter due to holidays and breaks (Fees are less for shorter terms.)
  • Usual & customary Fees:
    30 minute lessons: each $77.83; typical 8-week term $622.24 45 minute lessons: each $116.73; typical 8-week term $933.84
  • Self-pay payment-in-full discount cash or check only:
    30 minute lessons: each $66.15; typical 8-week term $529.20 45 minute lessons: each $99.20; typical 8-week term $793.76
    Payment must be received in full the Friday before the start of each lesson term. No discounts for third party funding.
  • Payments by credit card or via PayPal will incur an additional 3% fee for both discounted pre-payment in full, or payments that are not subject to that discount..

Financial Assistance

Limited funds have been donated to assist in cases of financial need. To apply, please complete and return the Three Gaits Financial Assistance Application before the session registration deadline.

Absence Policy

We love to see you in class, but encourage you to take care of yourself and stay home if you are sick. Three Gaits does not receive payment from the CLTS or IRIS programs when students do not attend class. Because we cannot fill a student's spot in the moment, we ask that you reduce absences as much as possible to keep lessons affordable for everyone.

Consideration for Three Gaits volunteers and staff is appreciated. Please call the absence and cancellation line at 608 877-9087 as soon as possible if you know you will miss class.

Self-pay Student Refund Policy

Refunds will be given if student is unable to participate in the term for which they have registered and Three Gaits is notified prior to the start of the term.

Refunds will be given if student withdraws for the remainder of the term due to medical necessity (broken bones, hospitalization, etc.) with written notification from student’s medical provider.

There are no refunds or makeup lessons for rider vacations, temporary illness, or unanticipated circumstances. In the event of a Three Gaits cancellation due to weather or instructor unavailability, we will strive to offer a makeup lesson that does not impact previous schedules or our horse use policy. 

Student/family is financially responsible for amounts not authorized by third party billing sources.

Self-pay students will be offered credit or refund will be applied to student’s account when Three Gaits cancels lessons or terms. Credits must be used by end of following calendar year, e.g. credits from 2023 must be used by end of 2024. Credits may be donated to Three Gaits Scholarship Fund.

Cancellation by Three Gaits

The safety and good health of students and horses are the most important concerns of Three Gaits. Class will not be held during the following conditions:

  1. Temperature extremes
  2. High winds
  3. Thunderstorms or tornado watches or warnings

Please check the email address or text you provided to us for a cancellation notice. You may also call the office at 608-877-9086 before 3 pm if weather is uncertain. Leave a message in case we're in the barn and we'll get right back to you!

Clothing Requirements

  • A safety helmet (ATSM-SEI approved) must be worn and is provided.
  • Long pants that are not slippery fabric.
  • Protective sun screen, sun glasses and insect repellant as needed.
  • Shoes with sturdy heels (oxfords, riding boots) or non-slip soles are recommended.
  • No sandals, Crocs, clogs, open-toed or open-heeled shoes.

Three Gaits Annual Report

Three Gaits is a Premier Accredited Center of PATH International
Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship InternationalÂ