STARZ Equestrian Center

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

12/24/2025

‘Twas the night before Christmas, in the old wooden barn,
Not a creature was stirring, not one on the farm.

The hay nets were full and stuffed with great care,
In hopes that St. Nick soon would be there.

The horses were nestled all snug in their sheds,
While visions of apples danced through their heads.

Their blankets were fluffed and their hooves tucked just right,
As moonbeams spilled softly on coats shining bright.

The cow in his pasture lay chewing his cud,
Dreaming of clover and fresh summer mud.

The pigs in their pen gave a content little snore,
Curled up in piles, dreaming treats galore.

The chickens were perched on the rafters up high,
Feathers all puffed as they murmured “goodnight.”

And the barn cats, so regal, with tail wrapped just so,
Are purring by moonlight, steady and low.

Remi and Shocky lay dreaming of frolick and play,
With ears tipped just right at the sound of a sleigh.

Cash gave a nicker, low, gentle, and deep,
While Lacey stayed watch til the whole barn was asleep.

Four faithful friends, side by side through the night,
With warm hearts awaiting the Christmas delight.

When out by the house there rose such a clatter,
The horses all lifted their heads—what was the matter?

Away to the gate, they craned their long necks,
Hooves rustling softly, ears swiveling next.

The moon on the frost of the fresh fallen snow
Gave a glow to the farmyard, all sparkly below,

When what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a sleigh full of hay and eight tiny reindeer!

He tiptoed to stalls with a magical grin,
Leaving carrots and cookies and peppermints tucked within.
For cows, fresh salt blocks; for pigs, apples sweet;
For chickens, cracked corn—oh, such a fine treat!

Then St. Nick gave a nod and climbed back to his sleigh,
The reindeer took off and went on their way.

But I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all—may your stalls be warm tonight!” 🎄🐴

Merry Christmas from our herd to yours!
(Can you tell who is who in the picture below!)

12/24/2025

12/23/2025

Part of running a successful business means proper budgeting and trying to expect the unexpected….this extra cold snap in December means all costs rise earlier than “expected.” Besides stocking up on extra hay for the horses way back in August, we’ve also saved and raised funds to cover the funds for things like higher gas and energy costs!

Just an insight to some of the “not so fun” aspects of running a farm!

12/22/2025

Happy Sunday!

Thank you Maria for the pictures!

12/13/2025

Just an amazing Christmas gift straight from the heart and hands! Thank you Katy and Michelle! This is just incredibly thoughtful!

Make sure you stop and look for your face!

12/11/2025

HORSE VOLUNTEERS: We still need 1 volunteer for Sunday’s Girl Scout troop from 12:30pm-3pm.

Don’t forget: we don’t require our Girl Scout volunteers to go through volunteer orientation first. Just that they can follow directions, keep the girls safe, and confidently lead a horse! We have many upcoming troops sprinkled over 2026!!!

THANK YOU!

12/10/2025

The chickens say this weather is “for the birds”….different birds…..not them. 😂

12/05/2025

🌟 Calling all soon-to-be Starz Volunteers! 🌟
If you’ve ever dreamed of making a difference, this is your moment! 🐴💫

At Starz Equestrian Center, our volunteers aren’t just helpers… they’re the heartbeat of our therapeutic riding program. 💛 From steadying reins and offering encouragement, to sharing smiles and cheering on every tiny victory-you help our riders grow courage, confidence, balance, and joy.

🌟Volunteer Orientation🌟
📅 This Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰ 2:00-4:00 PM
📍 2444 Porter Rd., White Lake, MI 48383
👩‍💻Volunteer Application and Registration found here: https://bttr.im/8b3w4

Whether you’re a horse lover, a helper at heart, or just looking to add some good in the world, we’d love to have you join the herd! 🐴

No experience needed — just a willingness to learn, laugh, and lend a hand (or hoof 😉). We have roles that are active in classes and the barn, barn management, fundraising, etc.

Come see how fulfilling it is to be part of something that truly changes lives-one ride, one stride, one smile at a time. 💛✨

We can’t wait to meet you at the barn door! 🚪🐴💫

1. Criteria for Class Volunteers: You are over age 10, willing to work with children and adults with special needs, and able to walk for 3 hours (and occasionally jog) on uneven footing. If you do not meet these criteria, please consider helping our organization in other ways!

12/02/2025

Giving Tuesday is so impactful in our nonprofit community. Please consider Starz for your end of year giving! $1 from every person that reads this could fund the building of our onsite classroom/therapy center....you could change lives in your own community!

If you can't donate, we ask you to explore other ways to support our program.
~Volunteer with Us! (New Volunteer Orientation this Saturday, December 6 from 4:00-6:00pm. Register Here: https://app.betterimpact.com/Application?OrganizationGuid=fef4104d-b780-43ce-b48a-6e5da5b0f849&ApplicationFormNumber=1)

~Register your Kroger Card Account With Starz! (A percentage of each purchase goes directly to STARZ!) (NPO Number KG695)

~Order items off of our Amazon Wishlist! (Main items include helmets to help us w**d out old, broken, and expired helmets!) https://a.co/2pVJmvr

~Leave Us A Review so we can get our certification from Great Nonprofits! https://greatnonprofits.org/org/starz-equestrian-center

~Drop off your bottles and cans to the designated deck box at the end of the driveway because it all adds up!

~Order some STARZ Apparel from our friends at Broadway Embroidery (a portion of each order comes back to our program and you get to represent our program. Here is the link to our store but they can screen print and embroider ANYTHING! Please contact them for custom colors, items, and glitter/rhinestones! https://www.broadway-embroidery.com/collections/starz-equestrian-center

~Walk with us in our Christmas Parade! This Sunday, December 7 at 2:00pm (staging at 1:00pm) in Rochester, Michigan! Please contact us for more information!

~Order a 2026 calendar featuring our amazing STARZ Horse Herd! Calendars are $25 and purchased as they are ordered.

~Contact your company about a donation match! We'd love to set something up to take advantage of your corporate giving!

~Join us at Chipotle on Telegraph Rd. in Bloomfield Hills from 4:00-8:00pm on Sunday, January 11, 2026 for 25% of all dinner proceeds (both in person and online orders) back to STARZ!

Starz Equestrian Center is on a mission to share the healing power of horses. Starz believes that connection, compassion, and meaningful experiences with animals can change lives. The organization was founded 5 years ago by my older sister who works tirelessly to serve others through her mission at Starz.
Starz serves individuals who can benefit from therapeutic, confidence-building, and community-strengthening equine experiences, including:
• People with disabilities or neurodivergence
• People with terminal illnesses
• Individuals navigating mental health challenges
• Veterans and trauma survivors
• Elderly communities
• Local Girl and Boy Scout troops
• And anyone seeking the grounding, restorative presence of animals and nature
Through hands-on interactions with horses, cows, pigs, chickens, and more, participants at Starz discover joy, self-worth, and a sense of belonging.
The impact this year has been incredible. In 2025 alone, Starz:
• Supported 20+ weekly riders
• Hosted 25+ Girl Scout troops
• Partnered with 5 community organizations: Camp Casey, Detroit Horsepower, Keys Grace Academy, The Friendship Circle, and the State of Michigan Foster Care Program
• Delivered 10+ specialty experience rides
• Offered dozens of horsemanship and farm-based learning opportunities
• Held volunteer orientations
• Hosted its largest fundraiser yet, with 150+ attendees
• Celebrated an instructor earning certification in equine meditation & mindfulness techniques
• Began developing new programs in physical/occupational therapy, reading & tutoring, and homeschool education
And all of this has been made possible by a 100% volunteer-run team.
Your Giving Tuesday support will directly help expand programming, allowing Starz to reach even more people who can benefit from the unique healing that horses and connection with animals can provide.
I am proud to serve on the Board of Starz and have had the privilege to witness the transformations that happen. The joy, confidence, peace, and emotional breakthroughs that emerge in this safe, welcoming environment. Your contribution, no matter the size, genuinely makes a difference.
If you’d like to learn more about equine-assisted programs or how to get involved with Starz Equestrian Center, I would love to share more.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for supporting a mission that so much to me!