Bear | Montana | Slam | Breeze | Joey | R.J. | Laddie
Our Horses
GAIT utilizes specially trained horses carefully selected for temperament, soundness, and equilateral movement. The horses have good ground manners, are accepting of their environment and riders, have a low flight response, and are able to handle people walking on both sides of them. Most are 13-15 hands tall; age is usually in the teen years or older. Each horse’s health and happiness, as well as the safety of riders and volunteers, are of the utmost importance.
Horse Sponsorship Program
GAIT maintains a herd of ten very special horses, each unique and with specific needs. Providing for the herd is expensive, and GAIT’s Horse Sponsorship Program helps to offset the high costs of vet care, farrier visits, basic necessities, and individual needs. The cost of sponsorship is $2000/year.
Platinum-level members who sponsor a horse will receive additional horse-related benefits, including personalized updates and unique opportunities to connect with their sponsored horse.
- Wallet-Size Membership Card/ Unique Fridge Magnet – On hand reminder of your impact featuring key GAIT EAS characters/info
- Exclusive Facility Visit – Enjoy a pre-arranged visit to GAIT with your family and friends to see firsthand the difference your support makes.
- Early Access to Events – Be the first to know about upcoming GAIT programs, fundraisers, and special gatherings.
- Member-Only Events – Gain access to two exclusive member appreciation events throughout the year.
- Recognition on the GAIT Honor Plaque – Your name will be displayed on a dedicated (by year) membership plaque in the barn, showcasing your commitment to GAIT’s mission.
If you have any questions, feel free to call GAIT 570-409-1140.
Laddie
“Kings Boy Laddie”
Breed: Thoroughbred
Color: Bay
Born: Circa 2005
Laddie’s Sponsors for 2025:
Lena and Mo Masri
Laddie is a thoroughbred (TB) that came to GAIT in 2021 at the age of 16. He has a striking blaze, that adorns his face, with a personality to match. In the barn he is a gentleman and a scholar, well versed in the ways of human expectations. Out with the herd, Laddie is ready to rumble and is often the first horse to start a round of the zoomies, when all the horses start kicking up their heels and running around.
TBs tend to be more energetic, sensitive, and quick witted. Although known for racing, they also excel in the show ring, competing in the English disciplines such as dressage, eventing, and hunter/jumpers. In the western disciplines, they are popular as barrel racers.
Because of their sensitive nature, TBs, like Laddie, are also the perfect horse for centers such as GAIT, especially our veteran’s program. Because of his keen awareness of the participant’s energy, Laddie helps Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy participants to learn more about themselves through his reactions to them as they work toward forming a partnership. Laddie also works in Adaptive Riding (formerly called Therapeutic Riding) and provides a willing, long stride for the rider.
Laddie has moved around a lot in his life but seems happy to call GAIT his home.
R.J.
“My Rocky Joe”
Breed: Haflinger Pony
Color: Flaxen Chestnut
Born: March 31, 2005
R.J.’s Sponsors for 2025:
Martha Dubensky
RJ is very playful and full of energy. He loves attention and will entice you with his antics and bubbly personality. His curiosity and eagerness to be a part of everything going on around him make him a quick learner. RJ loves to put on a show and “horse around” with his herd mates.
The Haflinger breed is thought to have originated in the Tyrolian Mountains of Austria, dating as far back as 555 A.D. They were developed for mountainous terrain and were selectively bred for their sturdy confirmation, strong hind end, being surefooted, and, most notably, their gentle dispositions. Relatively small, Haflingers are known for their golden chestnut coloring, flaxen mane and tail, and their distinctly energetic, yet smooth, gaits. This versatility has allowed this breed of horse to excel in many different jobs such as: farming/ plowing, trail/pack horse, wagon pulling, competitive horse shows and events, military use, and therapeutic riding.
The Austrian description of Haflingers as “a prince in the front, a peasant behind,” suits RJ as he embodies all of the physical qualities and easy personality of a typical Haflinger pony, which is why he was chosen to become a member of the GAIT herd and family.
Montana
“Ebony’s Mountain Pride”
Breed: Tennessee Walking Horse
Color: Black
Born: October 3, 1996
Montana’s Sponsors for 2025:
Jing Moore
This smooth “walker” will easily capture your heart with his sweet disposition. Energetic and playful, it’s hard to say no to this black beauty. He will gently tease his herd mates in hopes of coaxing them to play. When he’s not playing with his buddies, Rusty and RJ, Montana loves nothing better than to enjoy a good roll after a hard day’s work.
Tennessee Walkers were bred as a utility horse to adapt to a variety of riders and styles of riding. Tennessee Walkers are gaited horses because of an additional gait that was bred in to them called a “running walk.” The running walk is an extra-smooth gait that gives the rider a feeling of gliding through the air.
Here at GAIT we look for horses that have something really special to offer our riders- whether it is through size, personality, or movement. With Montana, we found all of those things. Formerly a field horse, Montana was expected to carry equipment, a rider, and the occasional dog while out on dog training exercises, and was such a steady mount that he became the horse of choice to bring back the dogs. As a therapeutic horse, this quality instills confidence in his riders as he patiently does whatever is asked of him. Standing at 14.3 hands, Montana’s loving personality, docile temperament, and smooth gaits make him a great addition to the GAIT family.
Little Bear
“Gneisti”
Breed: Icelandic Horse
Color: Bay
Born: On or before 1992
Bear’s Sponsors for 2025:
Maryellen Rafferty
Small in stature with a mighty personality, Little Bear quickly earned his place in the herd after his arrival in the fall of 2016. His gentle demeanor and nearly unflappable disposition instantly endear him to anyone he meets. Eager to please and full of curiosity, Bear is a quick learner and easily adapts to any situation set before him.
Iceland’s only breed of horse is known for their rich history, sure-footedness, and displaying two gaits in addition to the typical walk/ trot/ canter. The “tolt” is a four- beat lateral ambling gait, comparable to the running walk of the Tennessee Walking Horse. The “flying pace” is a two-beat lateral gait used over short distances and capable of reaching speeds up to 30 mph. Despite being “pony sized” at an average of 13-14 hands tall, breed registries have always referred to Icelandics as “horses.” Theories suggest this is due to their spirited temperament and big personalities, while others credit their strength, stamina, and longevity.
True to his breed’s characteristics, Little Bear proves that greatness comes from within. Born in New Hampshire, he participated in 4H events, gymkhana, obstacles, and competitive trail riding. His versatility, confidence, and experience have made him an asset to GAIT in providing therapeutic services.
Slam
“Slam Hanover” aka “Sandman”
Breed: Standardbred
Color: Bay
Born: May 23, 1996
Quiet and thoughtful, Slam’s steady and calm demeanor instills trust and confidence in his riders and easily makes him one of the most dependable horses in the barn. His quirky charm and sweet disposition are sure to make you smile. Whether he is gazing dreamily out his stall window or gracefully prancing in the field, it is easy to see that Slam is an innately remarkable horse.
The Standardbred is a true American horse that was bred for harness racing as trotters or pacers; two distinctly different gaits. Most Standardbreds can be traced back to “Hambletonian,” the fastest trotting horse in the mid- 1800’s. This breed is so named for setting the “standard” of racing a mile in 2.15 minutes (for three year olds) to 2.20 minutes (for two year olds), or less.
Although not much is known about Slam’s past, by researching the brand on the right side of his neck, we know that he did race for many years. Slam moved several times in his life before being introduced to the GAIT in August, 2013. He is a smart horse and took to his new job as a therapeutic horse willingly and with ease. His smooth yet forward-moving walk gives riders a sense of fast movement through space without any fear of being rocked off balance. Slam seems to like his new job, and we are very happy to have him here at GAIT!
Breeze
“Breeze of Lexlin”
Breed: Gypsy Vanner
Color: Black Blagdon
Born: July 24, 2010
Breeze is sure to turn heads with her strong stature, flowing mane and tail, “feathery” legs, and blue eyes, but it is her gentle and adaptable nature that draws people to her. She is exceedingly patient, willing to please, and loves to share a cuddle or enjoy a head rub during quiet moments with her humans.
The Gypsy Vanner is a small draft horse developed by the Romani/ Gypsy people in Great Britain and Ireland after WWII and was largely unknown to the outside world until their “discovery” in the mid 1990’s. Named for the “caravans” they pulled, Gypsy Vanners were strictly bred for their strength and docile nature. The nomadic lifestyle of the Gypsies required horses that were easy keepers, hard workers, calm in any situation, and gentle enough for children.
Breeze was donated to GAIT by Lexlin Gypsy Ranch, located in Tennessee, through their Gypsy Gift Facebook Contest. There were 80 PATH Intl. member centers were nominated to win one of 20 selected Gypsy Vanner horses. Through the outstanding support of the community and abroad during this two month long contest, GAIT won 2nd place with 26,272 votes! Breeze was described by Lexlin as “forward moving and eager to work” and was one of two horses offered who had already been trained under saddle. Her experience with basic training on the trail and arena, participating in leadership programs, and maturity made her the perfect pick for GAIT!
Joey
“My Cuppa Joe”
Breed: Quarter Horse Type
Color: Tri-Color Paint
Born: January 1, 1999
Joey’s Sponsors for 2025:
Maryann Martone
Joey stands out in the herd with his good looks and bay/white color (known as skewbald tobiano or tri-colored in the Paint world), but it is his easygoing personality that quickly wins hearts. He is as steady as they come, down to earth, and exceedingly gentle.
The American Quarter Horse is arguably the most popular horse in the United States and is the largest breed registry in the world. The breed was named for its ability to run faster than a Thoroughbred for a quarter of a mile and became a staple working horse on cattle ranches. This iconic horse of the Old West is best known for its versatility, athleticism, and above all dependability. Joey is no exception, as his strong build and sesnsible temperament is the embodiment of his breed.
Joey, before coming to GAIT in 2018, lived at Mosefund Farm in New Jersey, where he was utilized as a lesson horse. His former owner and staff at Mosefund described him as “a good egg,” as he was a barn favorite and their go-to horse for lessons. Whether he was helping a new rider to learn the basics or teaching an experienced rider to jump, Joey was a confident and willing partner his riders could depend on. These very qualities, as well as his strong build and experience as a lesson horse, make him a perfect fit for GAIT. Joey has easily transitioned into GAIT’s therapeutic riding program and quickly became a favorite among participants and volunteers.
Winnie
Breed: Criollo/Welsh Pony Mix
Color: Dun
Born: January 1, 2002
Winnie may be the smallest in stature of the GAIT herd, but she has a larger than life personality. Her nose is always poking out into the aisle to keep track of what is going on. She doesn’t want to miss a thing.
The Welsh pony breed developed in the mountainous region of Wales. They are know for their friendly nature as well as their intelligence and trainability. While the Welsh pony came from the European continent, the Criollo is a South American breed. They are from the grasslands and are known for their hardiness and endurance. Used by gaucho horsemen (cowboys), Criollos are one of the most popular horse breeds in South America.
Before coming to GAIT, Winnie had a career as a child’s show pony. After he outgrew her, she came to GAIT in 2024. She is the perfect size for young riders needing to be at face level with their sidewalkers. For new riders, her small size will help to build their confidence. She arrived just in time to take over Bear’s riders in time for his retirement. She has also played an important role in off horse activities.
Misty
Breed: Paint
Color: Chestnut/White
Born: January 1, 2009
Misty’s Sponsors for 2025:
Martha Dubensky
Misty is the newest mare of the herd, bringing the total to three mares (females). Compared to our other pinto colored horses, Joey and Tonka, Misty has larger portions of her body solid chestnut. She has a star, stripe, and a snip on her face with freckles in the white that add a charming effect. She is the most refined in body shape of the three pintos and has a more clssic shape than many in the herd.
Misty joined GAIT’s program in the Fall of 2024 along with Tonka. They had spent the summer as camp horses and came from a barn that provides lessons for children. She is learning the ropes while working in our off horse activities.
Tonka
Breed: Unknown
Color: Chestnut/White Pinto
Born: December 7, 2008
Tonka is a bit of a clown. You have only to see his toupee-like forelock to get a chuckle. While Joey has a blaze of white down his face, Tonka, like Misty has a stripe. Unlike Misty, Tonka does not have freckles and his stripe is noticibly angled. His personality with the herd is that of a spitfire. While being lead, he is a gentleman, willingly going where he is lead.
The term pinto describes the coloring of a horse where its base color is broken up by large areas of white. There is a breed of horse known as a Paint, but not all pintos qualify to be registered as a Paint by the American Paint Horse Association. To be registered as a Paint, the horse has to be of Paint, Quarter Horse, or Thoroughbred lineage.
Tonka joined GAIT’s program in the Fall of 2024 along with Misty. They had spent the summer as camp horses and came from a barn that provides lessons for children. He is learning the ropes while working in our off horse activities.
In Loving Memory
Patrick
“Mamie’s Boy Patrick”
June 6, 1994–September 3, 2023
Rusty
“Jimmers Rhinestone” aka “Cheyenne”
May 28, 1996–March 27, 2023
Thunder
GAIT’s Rolling Thunder
May 7, 2019-August 1, 2022
Peter
Circa 1998-November 5, 2021
Lobo
Pikos Peppy Girl
January 15, 1996-May 23, 2020
Diggy
Sarah’ Dignity
April 8, 1990-March 26, 2018
Midnight
Lonesome
Beau
Tiger
HH Habiel Tigre
May 17, 1984-August 14, 2015