Welcome to Starlight Farm where riders are encouraged to "Reach for the Stars"!
Our
Starlight Farm, Inc. is an organization dedicated to providing equine-assisted activities and therapies to individuals with disabilities.
Our goals are to encourage positive self-esteem, confidence and independence in the relaxing, enjoyable setting of the farm.
We are also dedicated to protecting the well-being of our horses as well as promoting the healing power of the horse-human connection.
Starlight Farms, Inc. has been providing equine-assisted activities and therapies since 1999. Rie Longo, Founder and President of the organization, began by combining her knowledge as a nurse and her love of horses to create a truly special service that focused on improving the physical and mental health of children with special needs. Today, four NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRIs) provide services to more than 80 children a week. We also offer hippotherapy with a Speech-Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Physical Therapist; and we work with schools in the area offering programs that engage and challenge students in a wide variety of on and off horse activities that have been developed to build confidence, trust, social skills and more. More than 50 volunteers participate in our programs each week. Working in teams with the instructors and therapists, they lead horses, sidewalk with clients and do whatever it takes to keep the days running smoothly and safely. We call them our angels without wings, and they truly are heaven sent.
The heart and soul of Starlight Farms are our horses. We have ten wonderful therapy horses - each with its own unique personality, and each uniquely qualified to work with our special clients. All of our horses have been hand-picked for their special qualities - some are boarders at the farm whose owners generously offer the services of their horses knowing that they make such an important difference in the lives of so many children. In 2004 - thanks to the financial support of friends of the farm - we added an indoor riding arena to the facility. The new building is a wonderful addition to our sunny outdoor arena and our scenic trails! 
Our Story
Rie, her horse Dakota, and a couple of volunteers provided therapeutic horseback riding to a handful of children. It wasn't long until the list of riders grew as did the need to expand the program.
