Maryland Horse Industry Board

Mission Statement

The mission of the Maryland Horse Industry Board (the Board) is to safeguard the health and well being of Maryland’s Horse Industry as well as to provide for its future development. To this end, the Board intends to:

Raise the level of public awareness of Maryland’s equestrian/equine traditions;
Raise the level of public awareness of the positive impact of horses on the quality of life in Maryland;
To increase visibility of Maryland equestrian/ equine activities;
To provide support as a resource for Maryland horse owners; and
To foster a standard of care for Maryland horses.

Statutory Authority

Code: Agricultural Articles 2-701 through 2-719, and 6-107.2

Regulations: COMAR 15.16.01 regulations .01- .08, COMAR 15.16.02 regulations .01 - .08, and COMAR 15.18.05 regulations .01 -.09

For the main page of the Maryland Horse Industry Board please visit this link

Vision and Goals

Continue to raise the visibility of Maryland’s horses as a strong industry through equine census taking, and economic feasibility studies.
Further the establishment of the Maryland State Horse Facility or Facilities.
Increase the visibility of the horse industry in terms of Maryland’s tourism, and its economy.
Through promotion and the continued strengthening of the industries infrastructure, bolster the industries economic impact upon the State.
Oversee equestrian operations in the State, to the extent that all facilities in the Boards jurisdiction operate within the standards of care for horses.
Increase the perception of Maryland as a horse state through fostering understanding of it rich equestrian tradition, and its current industry strength.

Primary Function

The purpose of the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) is, taken broadly, to promote equestrian activities and the use of horses for recreation through promotional activities that create awareness and visibility for the equine industry, educational and research projects to benefit the equine industry, and developmental efforts, such as job training programs, facilities planning and export marketing to stimulate the growth of the local horse economy. Moreover, the board serves in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding matters affecting the industry and as the licensing body for Maryland stables. To this end the Board has a mission which includes regulatory, advisory, promotional and educational roles.

Contact

Anne Litz, Executive Director

Tonya Kendrick, Administrative Assistant

Maryland Department of Agriculture
50 Harry S. Truman Parkway
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-841-5822
Email: anne.litz@maryland.gov

Identified spokesperson for media or public speaking engagements:
James B. Steele, Chairman and Anne Litz, Executive Director