Maryland Horse Council

About the MHC

Since 1983 MHC has represented Maryland's diverse equestrian community as the horse industry's trade association. We protect and promote the equine industry to the Maryland government and the general public through media and our members.

Inside MHC

Seminars
Committees
MHC Achievements

Seminars

The Maryland Horse Council offers two annual seminars, and MHC members receive - as a benefit of membership - discounted rates.

Health Seminar

MHC's annual health seminar is aimed at the general horse owner. The MHC Equine Health Committee each year crafts a seminar around one health theme, and provides the expert local, regional and/or national speakers on the topic. Designed for those who handle herds of horses or own just one horse, the seminar goers will get the kind of in-depth knowledge on health issues that usually only health professionals have access to.

In 2007, the MHC annual health seminar featured in depth exploration on topics related to laminitis.

Business Seminar

MHC's annual business seminar is aimed at the owners and managers of equine-related businesses. In 2004, we offered introductory seminars in our "How To Run a Successful - and Profitable - Horse Business, and we plan to offer those introductory courses again in future years.

On an annual basis, the MHC Business and Economic Development Committee is dedicated to crafting in depth seminars on critical business issues. Most owners of horse-related businesses get into the business because of horses, not because they have a business background. The MHC Business Seminars are designed to give business owners the benefits of the in depth education one might find at a business school. In 2007, the MHC Business Seminar featured topics with an international theme, from the importing and exporting of horses (either purchase or sales or international movement for competitive reasons) to hiring immigrant workers.

In 2008, we will study the issues that affect all business owners:
"employment issues," including (but not limited to) salaries, benefits, worker's comp, working student programs, interns, immigrant labor, and much, much more.

Committees

Coming soon

MHC Achievements

1985: Maryland Horse Council is incorporated as a 501(c)(6).
1986: Maryland Million Day debuts.
1989: MHC produces first Horse Industry Directory.
1990: Maryland Horse Month is launched; effort to showcase Maryland’s international competitions in partnership with the Maryland Office of Tourism.
1991: MHC sponsors the Pleasure Horse Seminar in Carroll County.
1991: MHC begins newsletter in The Equiery.
1992: University of Maryland System & Cooperative Extension Services conducts first Maryland Pleasure Horse Survey
1992: “Why Horses” video, produced by TROT and Montgomery County TV, released; promotes multi-use trails.
1992: MHC instrumental in defeating bill to replace State sport of jousting with duck pin bowling.
1992: Maryland Horse Month becomes The Maryland Fall Festival of the Horse.
1992: MHC bumper sticker “Maryland Horses Mean Business” released, featured in EQUUS.
1992: MHC provide parade of breeds for Grand Reopening of Rosecroft Raceway
1992: MHC formally partners with Maryland 4-H Foundation on the fundraiser “Maryland Horsemen’s Party.”
1993: MHC helps defeat effort to replace State sport of jousting with lacrosse.
1993: Prince George’s Equestrian Center opens the new indoor arena.
1994: MHC sponsors Maryland Legislative Day, June 5 at the Maryland Horse Center.
1994: MHC sponsors Youth for America - Ride On!, as part of the Washington International Dressage Classic at PGEC.
1994: MHC instrumental in defeating legislation that would have banned the use of whips and spurs by non-racing horse people.
1994: MHC partners with Maryland Veterinary Medical Association, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Maryland Emergency Management Association, Maryland Cooperative Extension, Maryland Racing Commission and the Maryland Jockey Club to release the brochure “Disaster Action Guidelines for Horseowners.”
1995: MHC partners with the Plantation Walking Horses of Maryland to release the “Multi-use Trail Etiquette and Safety Guidelines” Brochure for multi-use trails, which is still in distribution in 2005.
1996: TROT and DNR launch plan to map trails using the cutting edge Global Positioning Satellite technology.
1996: MHC joins the national Horse Industry Alliance.
1996: MHC releases the “Minimum Standards of Care,” an equine industry-wide interpretations of Maryland Annotated Code as it applies to the care of equines; brochure becomes the court standard and is used as a template in other states.
1996: Horses recognized by Maryland Department of Agriculture as an “alternative form of agriculture.”
1996: MHC releases brochure on “Insurance, Litigation, Liability Reform and the Effect on the Maryland Horse Industry.”
1997: MHC begins writing formal letters to the Maryland Department of Agriculture requesting a formal census.
1997: Maryland passes new “Scope of Practice Law” applying to equine health care practitioners; MHC membership divided on topic.
1997: Pleasure Horse Seminar becomes University Seminars at Horse World Expo; MHC continues its sponsorship and advisement.
1998: MHC hires first professional legislative representative.
1998: MHC spearheads legislation to create a Maryland Horse Industry Board; legislation successful; on October 1, 1998 the Maryland Horse Industry Board was established.
1998: MHC and DNR partner to host a Trails Maintenance Seminar.
1999: MHC sponsors Saddle Up Maryland, in conjunction with Horse Industry Alliance’s Saddle Up America!
1999: MHC sponsors contest for new logo.
2000: MHC sponsors the continuing education seminar “Vets: Your Role in Animal Cruelty Investigation,” organized by MHC’s Equine Welfare Committee.
2000: MHC instrumental in passage of legislation to make some forms of intentional animal cruelty a felony rather than a misdemeanor, and increased the potential penalties.
2000: MHC Equine Welfare Committee organizes Trailer Rescue Seminar.
2000: MHC unveils new color logo.
2000: MHC sponsors the Maryland portion of the Black Stallion Literacy program.
2000: MHC assembles advisory panel for Columbia Horse Center.
2001: Maryland Horse Industry Board begins distributing grants.
2001: MHC supports legislative initiative to establish feed fund; bill fails.
2002: MHC spearheads support of feed fund bill; bill passes; funding is secured for mission of Maryland Horse Industry Board.
2002: MHC serves on selection committee for the hiring of an Executive Director for MHIB.
2002: MHC marshals equestrian community dialogue and position on issues of horses as livestock and the issue of horse slaughter.
2002: USDA/MDA conducts the first ever equine census in Maryland.
2003: MHC organizes first open-industry, all equine discipline forum on slots.
2003: MHC advises on changing nutrient management regulations: rather than applying to properties with 4 horses, instead only applying properties with 8 or more horses.
2003: MHC instrumental in defeating bill that would tax lesson stables.
2003: MHC partners with MHIB for creation of brochure: “What the Horse Industry means to Maryland.”
2004: MHC advises and sponsors MHIB’s Maryland Horse Industry Forum.
2004: MHC launches task force for the creation of an Equine Health Advisory Committee within the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
2004: MHC sponsors and organizes two day-long seminars, one for owners of horse businesses in Maryland and the others for those running nonprofit associations and clubs in Maryland; over 200 people attend.
2004: MHC relaunches independent newsletter, but maintains Update in The Equiery.
2005: Maryland Horse Industry Board and Maryland Department of Agriculture ratify Equine Health Advisory Committee.
2005: MHC hosts equine liability and insurance forum with Maryland Insurance Commissioner.
2005: MHC celebrates 20 years!
2007: MHC sponsors the 1st Annual Equine Health Seminar.
2007: MHC sponsors the Maryland Equine Emergancy Response Symposium.