Our History

Equi˜Star was founded in 1994 by Miriam Smith.  Miriam was a returning college student majoring in Human Services when she interned at a therapeutic riding center.  This experience inspired her to launch her very own program specifically for people with disabilities.  The program started with one horse, a handful of volunteers, and a few riders.  Equi˜Star called a few local stables home before an area was purchased in Burt, NY.  With a lot of community support, the wooded area with hardly any access and a little old barn began to morph in to the property you see today.  Every year, Equi˜Star seeks the expertise of volunteers as we continue to improve our facilities.  An indoor arena was added and allows our lessons to continue in all kinds of weather.  More pasture fencing was installed to corral the growing number of therapy horses needed to fufill our needs. 

 Over the years, the local Lions Clubs have left their pawprint on many aspects of our grounds and buildings, including the Lions shavings shed, tack room, and classroom.  Eagle scouts have come along with their own special projects, including bleachers for our cheering "fans," an information center, a picnic pavillion, horse turnout sheds, and more. 

 The program has known great instructors and volunteers over the years. In fact, most of our instructors are "homegrown," and were volunteers who moved up the ranks to instructor level. 

Our Location

2199 Fuller Rd, Burt, NY 14028 

Equi˜Star is located 9 miles north of Lockport N.Y. Follow Route 78 to Newfane. At the traffic light turn right onto Charlotteville Road. Drive 1.5 miles, just over the railroad tracks and turn left onto Fuller Road. The Ranch is about 1 mile down on the right-hand side, just after Drake Settlement Road.