Maryland Horse Forum Executive Summary

The 2024 Maryland Horse Forum united stakeholders from across the state’s horse industry to address pressing challenges and strategize for a vibrant and sustainable future. The Maryland horse industry is a vital contributor to the state’s economy, culture, and rural landscapes, supporting thousands of jobs and fostering community engagement. Co-hosted by the Maryland Horse Industry Board and other equestrian organizations every five years, this year’s forum served as a critical platform for sharing insights and developing actionable plans to strengthen Maryland’s horse industry. A pre-forum survey helped to identify twelve key topics of concern, which were then discussed in depth during moderated sessions. This summary highlights the key concerns discussed and the proactive steps identified to secure the industry’s long-term success.

Participation, Promotion, and Education
The forum calls attention to the need to increase public awareness of the benefits of equestrian activities and address misconceptions about the industry by promoting a positive image through a unified social media strategy and increased outreach to schools and communities. To attract diverse participants and ensure the industry’s sustainability, it is crucial to enhance inclusivity and accessibility through targeted marketing, improved spectator experiences, and increased support for breeding and horse-keeping in Maryland. Additionally, addressing the workforce shortage with targeted development programs and reaching out to underrepresented groups are vital steps in fostering a thriving equestrian community.

Horse-Keeping and Business Sustainability
The forum emphasized the key challenges impacting horse-keeping and business sustainability. Rising operational costs, including workman’s compensation insurance, minimum wage increases, and escalating land costs, are putting financial strain on horse businesses. Outdated zoning laws and inconsistent regulations further hinder the growth and establishment of equestrian facilities, while small horse farms face threats from urbanization and development. Additionally, the shortage of veterinarians makes it difficult to maintain consistent horse healthcare. To address these concerns, action items include advocating for reforms in workman’s compensation insurance, updating zoning laws to support equestrian activities, promoting financial literacy and operational efficiency among horse business owners, and encouraging greater collaboration within the industry to share resources and reduce costs.

Land Use, Legislative, and Liability
The forum identified several pressing concerns threatening the sustainability of competition venues, trail systems, and small horse farms, including funding gaps, urbanization, and regulatory challenges. It emphasized the need for securing funding for equestrian venue improvements, advocating for dedicated trail maintenance resources, and increasing awareness of land stewardship programs. Strengthening legislative involvement and showcasing the economic benefits of equestrian activities are also critical to gaining broader support from policymakers and the public.

Moving Forward
The action items outlined in this report provide a comprehensive strategy to enhance participation, sustain horse businesses, and secure support for the Maryland horse industry. We sincerely thank all participants at the Maryland Horse Forum for their invaluable contributions and dedication. By implementing these strategies, the Maryland horse industry can ensure its long-term success, broaden its impact within the state and beyond, and continue to thrive in the years ahead.

Sponsors

Presenting Sponsor: Rural Maryland Council
Platinum Sponors: Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Horse Council, Maryland Horse Library, Maryland Horse Industry Board, McDonogh School, The Equiery and University of Maryland Extension
Reception Sponsor: B&D Builders, LLC
Gold Sponsors: Cloverlead Standardbred Owners’ Association, Equine Equipment, Jim McKay Maryland Million, Maryland Jockey Club, Maryland Sports Commission, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Rosecroft
Silver Sponsors: Green Horse Enterprises, Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and The Maryland State Fair

Acknowledgments
The 2024 Maryland Horse Forum was a collaborative industry-wide initiative led by the Maryland Horse Industry Board and the Maryland Horse Forum Planning Committee. We extend our sincere gratitude to the hundreds of horse industry participants who attended the Forum and shared their candid and insightful perspectives. We also wish to acknowledge the following individuals and organizations for their invaluable support in planning and hosting the Maryland Horse Forum, as well as for their contributions to the compilation and publication of this report:

Planning Committee

Anne Litz, Forum Co-Chair, Maryland Horse Industry Board
Jennifer Reynolds, Forum Co-Chair, University of Maryland Equine
Studies Program
Dr. Amy Burk, Forum Co-Chair, University of Maryland Equine
Studies Program
Ross Peddicord, Executive Director, Maryland Horse Industry Board
Sheila Curry, Chair, Maryland Horse Industry Board
Cricket Goodall, Executive Director, Maryland Horse Breeders
Association, Maryland Horse Foundation
Connie Sawyer, Maryland Horse Industry Board
Kim Egan, President, Maryland Horse Council
Neil Agate, Maryland Horse Council, MHIB Board Member
Tracy McKenna, Associate Publisher, The Equiery