STARZ Equestrian Center

02/24/2026

Still feeling the magic from our Lunar New Year 🐎✨
The Year of the Horse reminded us to move boldly, stay grounded, and run toward new beginnings together. Thank you to our incredible community for making it unforgettable. 🔥🐴

If you’re interested in being notified of more “Balance In The Barn” events, please contact us to be added to the contact list!



Content creation generously donated by Lauren Stoney who is building her portfolio. If you're interested in someone capturing your event for an online presence, please reach out to her!

02/17/2026

Our wish is that you’ll join us at our 2026 Year of the Horse ~ Lunar New Year Celebration!

$30 Fundraiser for our program that sets your mind and spirit up for success!

02/15/2026

Cute pic from lessons today! The sun was shining and the air was warm and we were SO HAPPY to be back in the saddle after these polar vortex weekends!
☀️💛🐴

02/09/2026

We kept our side of the story pretty tight lipped and tried to take the higher ground when we had to evict a community partner off of our property after our first year on the farm….well, unfortunately those same people feel the need to continuously harass our program online by taking the opportunity to leave negative reviews wherever they can.

Please help us undo the hatred in their heart by leaving your own ranking and writing a reviews for Starz on both our page and our Google page.

THANK YOU!

https://share.google/WlyEdYY3PQjnp9EK2

02/05/2026

These cold temps are so tough on our program. Even with a heated arena, the negative temps are not safe for our volunteers to be in the barn and our horses to be working. Every week of cancelled lessons (Saturday being our biggest lesson day) means lost income for our program and th colder temps means our horses are eating more than ever to stay warm! Luckily, we plan and budget all year to make sure we can endure the harsh winters of the Midwest. There are some small items that we could use a hand purchasing to help offset our bottom line during these times when every penny counts!

Laminating Sheets:
https://a.co/d/053mLhQq

Gold Star Paper:
https://a.co/d/0b9HkGba

Printer Ink:
https://a.co/d/05lCmodv

Printer Ink:
https://a.co/d/00BkOuNg

Special Clipboard:
https://a.co/d/0hVKbCJ0

Manila Folders:
https://a.co/d/08Ojm8v4

Fake Owls To Protect Chickens:
https://a.co/d/039QZ2xB

Hoof Thrush Buster:
https://www.everythingequinemichigan.com/cop-pure-cure-easy-spray.html

Horse Electrolytes:
https://a.co/d/01031535

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!

Shipping can go straight to Starz
2444 Porter Rd. White Lake, MI 48383

For the millionth time this winter, I present: more misery.

We may need a cold weather advisory Saturday morning.

01/30/2026

Today we had to say goodbye to our sweet Ella, and there really aren’t words that feel big enough for the draft sized space she leaves behind. After not being able to get up earlier this week (which is very serious for horses after only a few hours), I asked her last night to let me know when it was her time….I told her if she wanted to go, I wanted her calm and peaceful (not like how it was Wednesday). Today she let me know she was done and quietly sat with me in the sunshine while I said my goodbyes. Even in her last moments, she made sure to “mother” me and make sure I would be taken care of.

Ella was 23 years old-a big, black Percheron with the softest, kindest eyes. She carried herself with a quiet confidence that never wavered. No matter what was happening around her, she was steady, sure-footed, and calm in a way that made you breathe easier just standing near her. She had lived much of her life working hard with the Amish and was donated by a sweet lady who rescued her for her grandchildren. Thank you to Sandra Davenport Chmiel for entrusting us to be her family.

In our therapeutic riding program, Ella was the ultimate mother type. She took care of everyone with a gentleness that didn’t go unnoticed. She never rushed, never startled, never doubted her path. She walked through everything with patience and grace, giving our riders safety, trust, and comfort when they needed it most. She was truly infallible-the kind of horse you could always count on.

She proudly took Briella to the 4-H horse show this year, and ran her big b***y through the barrels and competed in other speed events, reminding us that even a gentle giant can still have plenty of spark!

She was powerful, dependable, and endlessly kind. The loss of her is deeply felt-not just as a horse, but as a constant, comforting presence we depended on.

Today was not how we planned to say goodbye, but we take comfort in knowing that Ella crossed the rainbow bridge surrounded by love. Saying goodbye has left a space that feels overwhelming. But we find comfort in knowing that Ella has crossed the rainbow bridge, free from weakness and moving forward with that same steady step she always had. We imagine her at peace, watching over us, her work here complete.

Our program is grieving. Our barn feels quieter. And while the weight of this loss is heavy, we are forever changed for the better because of her. Thank you, Ella, for the trust you gave, the lives you touched, and the love you left behind. You will always be part of this program…part of our herd….part of us.

We love you Ella! I know Boots was there to meet you and show you the best places for naps!

01/28/2026

We will be looking for more horses to add to our amazing herd and before people sit back and question “How many horses do they really need?”….let me help you understand why we are always seeking horses for our program!

First and foremost: we ask our horses to do an incredible job. There are ALOT of rodeo horses, jumping horses, dressage horses-but there are not many horses that are suited for being therapy horses. We ask them to “ignore” their genetic instincts of survival in the wild to be calm, peaceful, and trusting with our kiddos! They need to stand like a statue, appreciate being loved on, and not scared of an excited scream! This is not a process we are willing to rush and usually horses come in on a 4 month trial to allow them time to settle, time to learn on the ground, and then time to learn in the saddle about their “new job”.

Second, most of our herd is aging and are donated with some ailments. The typical lifespan of a horse is 20-40 years old. Out of the 16 horses we have on the property-majority of them are over 20 and we have diagnoses spread across the herd of cushings, arthritis, laminitis, navicular, heaves, allergies, chronic sinusitis….these diagnoses don’t scare us because this lighter job and partial retirement is best for their bodies!
Spencer-33
Chief-29
Shocky-26
Ella-25
Monty-25
Cash-23
Lacye-23
Remi-20
Georgina-20

With 3 more in their late teens!

Third, we never want to ignore the needs of our horses to have them do a job they are no longer capable of doing. Our horses don’t do more than 2 lessons a day usually only 1-2 times per week. So many of them are walk or walk/trot only with a weight limit of 100-125 pounds on their back. Our horses have all exquisite veterinary care, farrier care, nutrition, high quality second cutting hay with alfalfa, vitamins and supplements and even extras as needed like massage, chiropractic care, and a PEMF (magnawave) machine onsite for healing and renewal of their bodies. In order to continue allowing our horses the cushy lifestyle they deserve, we need horses to supplement the workload as needed!

If anyone ever has any questions how we manage the farm and our choices for our students, our volunteers, our horses, or our farm…..please let us know! We are an open book and look forward to welcoming some new friends to the farm soon!

01/24/2026

Cold days at the farm! Just because there are no lessons doesn’t mean the work here stops! Preparing for the possibility of a big storm tomorrow!

01/24/2026

We’ve had a lot of people check in on how we are doing on the farm with the -10 degree temperature (feels like -21 at the moment!) and truly we are all doing great!

The sky is clear and the 🌟stars🌟 were out in full force for night check and chores! Each horse had some beautiful crystal eyelashes on!

When Miss Charlotte designed the improvements to the farm, winter ease and exquisite care of our equines was the driving thought behind these expensive upgrades!

💧Automatic waterers mean fresh water all of the time without having to deal with hoses or heaters (minus one spoiled little mini pony!). 🥦Selecting horses who can be on continuous round bales and purchasing high quality hay with alfalfa (high in protein) means their furnace is always burning!
🌱Special extra expensive sprout pellets (that don’t need soaking) are supplied continuously to our oldies who don’t have good enough teeth for the hay!
⚡️Each horse received a bedtime snack coated with electrolytes to keep them hydrated in these cold temps which is vital for their health and safety!
🏠Sheds in each pasture means that horses can frolic when they want and rest when they want (but they have all chosen to be out of the loafing sheds!)

Even though it’s cold, we are taking the time to be grateful for the privilege of serving these wonderful animals who depend on us all year long! We couldn’t do our amazing work without them!

Stay warm everyone! Spring (mud season) will be here before you know it!

01/17/2026

As Miss Charlotte takes the day to go wedding dress shopping with superstar volunteer, Miss Jocelyn, the barn is bopping with all sorts of vendors, tack resellers, and equine education seminars at the Barn Bazaar hosted by Equine Laundry!

Check out our booth! (Definitely missing my mom who is in charge of all the decor but I think I held my own!)

Selling special “pinky out” equestrian mittens for $10 a pair as our winter fundraiser (Generously Donated By Linda Ryan) with all proceeds going to our rider scholarship fund!

01/14/2026

Pro-tip: schedule events at the farm that require you to tidy up things like Christmas decorations and the last remainder of stuff from the fundraiser and such so you have a goal to work toward and force you to finish it!

ADHD hacks for the win!