STARZ Equestrian Center

08/22/2025

Today’s to do list included installing more cameras around the farm to help keep our property, horses, riders, and volunteers safe!

Safety is always our number 1 priority both in and out of the arena!

08/19/2025

A couple months ago we were approached to provide a horse for a commercial for the Michigan Lottery! They needed a horse especially docile and cooperative in nature that would walk into a house in Detroit’s suburbs! We knew we had the perfect solution….A THERAPY HORSE! After submitting head shots of our herd, the ad agency picked the cutest little blonde movie star, Penny! Here is the Final Cut of her commercial! Don’t forget us little people when you’re famous!!!

If this motivates you to play, you legally owe us half your winnings.* Directed by: Sam Silverstein and Jeremy PaczosProduction: EightfoldDP: Benji Dell Exec...

08/10/2025

The weekend of the 4H show is one of the hardest yet most rewarding of the year! Our rider’s work tirelessly to be able to safely execute their skills alongside their peers in front of a judge and large audience. There are a million words and thank you’s that I will write separately tomorrow…….

But tonight, I want to say thank you to my amazing equine team. I could find 100 of the best volunteers and spend 100 hours a week training my riders, but without the heart and soul of our horsey herd, we would be stopped dead in our tracks. Most if our horses are donated to our program after they are ready to step down and semi-retire from their jobs during their younger days. They don’t go bucking across the warm up arena or spooking at the speaker system. They wait patiently for their turn to help their kiddos shine.

I’m actually tearing up at the moment at the thought of how careful our horses are and how they instinctuveky know how precious of cargo they carry! So here’s to the amazing STARZ horsey herd! May they always be sure-footed, big-hearted, and full of treats!

08/08/2025

The night before the horse show means bath night!!! Squeaky clean horses and soaking wet kiddos!

07/09/2025

Apparently it’s National Farrier Week! We want to thank the impeccable skill and care from Johnny Thompson and Restoration Horseshoeing while he cares for our herd every 6 weeks! We have horses who require time and patience that not all farriers can give….but Johnny shows up with a smile on his face and ready for sweat on his brow (all while working around my crazy work schedule!)

THANK YOU!!!!

07/08/2025

Do you want to join our amazing volunteer team as we roll out more group classes at the farm?

Join our new volunteer orientation this SUNDAY, JULY 13 from 2:00-4:00 at the farm (2444 Porter Rd. White Lake, MI 48383). All therapeutic riding volunteers must go through orientation before being eligible to assist in classes and lessons!

Please sign up on our volunteer portal and appplication found here: https://bttr.im/8b3w4

Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and capable of walking for 30 minutes at a time in a sandy arena for approx 2-3 hours. No horse experience necessary although we love to have those in the barn that do!

07/05/2025

With a quiet confidence, rider Eve leads Penny through the barn, her hand steady and her smile bright, while volunteer Avery walks beside her, offering silent support and encouragement. In this simple yet powerful moment, we witness the true magic of therapeutic riding: a child discovering her independence and strength, a horse offering unwaivering trust, and a community coming together to create space for growth, healing, and joy. Therapeutic horseback riding empowers all of us to build the connections in the barn whether in the saddle or out. Our programs change lives — one step, one stride, one connection at a time.

07/04/2025

We can’t thank our friends at Rodeo Horse Laundry Service enough! Not only do they wash our winter blankets, saddle pads, and general dirty farm laundry and return it all packaged and beautiful but they also donated several used blankets to our program that needed a new home! Collecting items like this help us keep our limited dollars working where we need them!! When we get horses donated and add new friends to our herd we want to make sure that we have items that will work for them!!!

Thank you!!!!

07/02/2025

Our amazing horse, Juliet, came to us with the cutest little baby (Hardy) by her side! After being a broodmare for 9 years and only having a brief training start, Miss Charlotte could see her potential and her good nature (Miss Charlotte has a thing for sweet Gypsy Vanner’s)! Hardy was finally old enough to be weaned from his mama and then Miss Charlotte started looking for training for Juliet but was running into difficulties of availability and pricing (so many places wanted $700-$1500/month for board and training).

She reached out to local contacts and friends to ask for recommendations and supporter/friend Molly King, who has her own farm and training program, just happened to have a stall available! Her daughter was diagnosed with autism and she fully understands exactly what Juliet needs to learn to be an amazing therapy horse! After just 4 days, Juliet has settled in and already accepting her important job! We can’t say thank you enough to Kings Spotted Farm and are so excited for when Juliet comes home!!

06/30/2025

Friday night my “big girl” riders and volunteers had a barn sleepover (something that was even on some Christmas lists!) We started the night replicating paintings on our horses, played horse charades (acting out each lesson horse), tye dyed saddle pads, went on a dark, glow stick trail ride after dark (the millions of fireflies was stunning and not something I will soon forget!), and participated in mounted riding karaoke!!!!! It’s our own real life saddle club!