2024
- MHC successfully lobbied for legislation to require minors to wear helmets while mounted.
- MHC supported legislation to ban non-competition clauses from veterinary employment contracts.
2023
- MHC conducted a survey of trail riders at the request of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
- MHC launched first-in-class Maryland-Bred Sport Horse Database.
- MHC launched new website.
- MHC created the Horse Industry Work Release Program in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Corrections and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.
- MHC successfully lobbied to have equine activities included in the definition of “value-added agriculture.”
2022
- MHC successfully pursued passage of a bill guaranteeing access to trail heads on state land for users and first responders.
- MHC successfully lobbied Howard County to repair the equestrian ring at Schooley Mill Park.
- MHC worked with HSUS to create a bill establishing a process for a seizing agency to recover reasonable costs of care of seized animals.
- MHC unveiled its new logo.
- MHC created its Sport Horse Committee.
- MHC appointed to MHIB’s Horse Industry Marketing Committee.
- MHC appointed to MHIB’s Maryland Horse Park committee.
2021
- MHC completed its acquisition of The Equiery.
- MHC created its Equine-Assisted Services Committee.
- MHC created its Membership Committee.
- MHC re-activated its Trails and Greenways Committee.
- MHC hosted webinar with state legislators and Hogan Administration officials re: legislative bond money available for capital projects for horse businesses.
- The Equiery included as a Media Partner for the Inaugural Maryland 5-Star at Fair Hill.
2020
- MHC prepared a packet of COVID-19 Resources for Maryland’s Horse Community.
- MHC worked successfully to keep parks open for trail riding during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.
- MHC supported successful legislation to add equine-assisted therapy to programs eligible for reimbursement on the Maryland Veterans Administration’s Animal Services program.
- MHC proposed successful legislation to broaden the existing “interference with horses” law to cover all livestock engaged in “any lawful activity,” with the goal of protecting carriage horses.
2019
- MHC created the MHC Foundation.
- MHC hosted a Barn Fire Seminar.
2018
- MHC developed five-year strategic plan.
2017
- MHC Board of Directors voted to acquire The Equiery.
- MHC received a $750,000 grant from the WaterShed Animal Fund’s Right Horse Initiative to develop the Maryland Equine Transition Service.
- MHC began GoPro campaign to raise funds for professional management.
2016
- Maryland Fund for Horses published and distributed 5,000 copies of MHC’s Safe & Sound: A Resource Guide for New and Prospective Owners distributed since printing.
- MD horse farms certified by the Association of Soil Conservation District’s Farm Stewardship Assessment and Certification Program grows to 28 in large part due to the work of MHC’s Farm Stewardship Committee.
2015
- MHC celebrated its 30th Anniversary.
- MHC hosted the “Maryland-Made Sold Worldwide” three-session business seminar for entrepreneurs interested in developing innovative products for the equestrian community.
- MHC voted to support the federal Safeguard American Food Exports Act and adopted a formal resolution, becoming the first state horse council in the nation to take a formal position on slaughter.
2014
- MD horse farms certified by the Association of Soil Conservation District’s Farm Stewardship Assessment and Certification Program grows to 17 in large part due to the work of MHC’s Farm Stewardship Committee.
2013
- MHC Farm Stewardship Committee secured enrollment of 11 horse farms in the MD Association of Soil Conservation District’s Farm Stewardship and Conservation Assessment Program.
2012
- The MHC Save the Horse Farms Committee, in partnership with the Law Offices of Kathleen JP Tabor, published a Zoning and Permitting Guide for horse farm owners.
2011
- MHC led the launch of the Maryland Fund for Horses.
- MHC created the Horse Council Political Action Committee.
- MHC launched its Farm Stewardship Committee.
2010
- MHC launched the Business Network for Business and Farm members.
- MHC launched the Save the Horse Farms Campaign, which has inspired several zoning-related victories in counties throughout the state.
- MHC launched the Unwanted Horse Project, which eventually became the independent Maryland Fund for Horses.
- MHC led a grassroots effort to Save Maryland Racing.
2009
- MHC sponsored feed fund legislation to increase funding for the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
- MHC successfully secured “Horses as Agriculture” legislation to codify that the definition of “livestock” includes horses, and that equine activities are agricultural.
2008
- Successfully concluded effort to revise standards for application of MALPF program to equestrian properties.
2007
- MHC sponsored the Maryland Equine Emergency Response Symposium.
2005
- MHC celebrated its 20th Anniversary.
- MHC hosted an equine liability and insurance forum with Maryland Insurance Commissioner.
2004
- MHC launched a task force to create the Equine Health Advisory Committee within the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
- MHC advises and sponsors MHIB’s Maryland Horse Industry Forum.
2003
- MHC helped defeat a bill that would have taxed lesson stables.
- MHC advised on changing nutrient management regulations to apply to properties with 8 or more horses only instead of properties with 4 or more horses.
- MHC organized the first all equine discipline forum on video lottery terminal betting (slots).
2002
- MHC endorsed the legal status of horses as livestock.
- MHC served on the selection committee for the hiring of an Executive Director for MHIB.
- MHC successfully spearheaded passage of a feed fund bill to support the Maryland Horse Industry Board.
2000
- MHC supported legislation to make some forms of intentional animal cruelty a felony rather than a misdemeanor.
- MHC’s Equine Welfare Committee sponsored the continuing education seminar “Vets: Your Role in Animal Cruelty Investigation.”
1999
- MHC sponsored Saddle Up Maryland, in conjunction with Horse Industry Alliance’s Saddle Up America!
1998
- MHC and DNR partner to host a Trails Maintenance Seminar.
- MHC spearheaded successful legislation to create a Maryland Horse Industry Board, which Board was established on October 1, 1998.
- MHC hired its first professional legislative representative.
1996
- MHC released brochure on “Insurance, Litigation, Liability Reform and the Effect on the Maryland Horse Industry.”
- MHC released the “Minimum Standards of Care Brochure,” an interpretation of the Maryland Code as it applies to the care of equines, which became the legal standard for neglect in Maryland.
1995
- MHC celebrated its 10th Anniversary.
- MHC partnered with the Plantation Walking Horses of Maryland to release the “Multi-Use Trail Etiquette and Safety Guidelines” brochure for multi-use trails.
1994
- MHC partnered 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 Horse Owners.”
- MHC sponsored Youth for America – Ride On! as part of the Washington International Dressage Classic at PGEC.
- MHC sponsored Maryland Legislative Day at the Maryland Horse Center.
1993
- MHC helped defeat an effort to replace State sport of jousting with lacrosse.
1992
- MHC bumper sticker “Maryland Horses Mean Business” released; featured in EQUUS magazine.
- MHC instrumental in defeating bill to replace State sport of jousting with duck pin bowling.
1991
- MHC began publishing a quarterly newsletter in The Equiery.
1985
- The Maryland Horse Council is incorporated as a 501(c)(6) business association.