Maryland Horse Forum Report Released * The Racing Biz

Organizers from the Maryland Horse Industry Board and the University of Maryland Equine Sciences Program have released a final report from the one-day 2024 Maryland Horse Forum, held Aug. 8 at the McDonogh School in Owings Mills. The forum was attended by almost 300 horse enthusiasts and has taken place every five years since 2004.

The 33-page report, prepared by the forum’s co-chairs, Dr. Authored and compiled by Amy Burk, Anne Litz and Jennifer Reynolds, it lists concerns, recommendations and action points from the forum’s three main themes and 12 listening sessions. Each session was moderated by experienced moderators who compiled hundreds of comments from participants across industry engagement, advocacy and education; horse ownership and business sustainability; and land use, legislative and liability issues.

Click here for the full report

“The action points outlined in the report provide a comprehensive strategy to strengthen engagement, sustain and grow our equine operations and secure support for the equine industry,” said Dr. Amy Burk, professor and equine studies program coordinator in the Animal and Avian Department of Natural Sciences at the University of Maryland and vice chair of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, a program of the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

The Rural Maryland Council and 18 other industry partners and organizations sponsored the forum. The report includes a summary and a series of photos of the day’s events.

The report can be viewed and downloaded at various online platforms, including www.mda.maryland.gov/horseboard; www.agnr.umd.edu; www.extension.umd.edu; www.marylandhorse.com; and websites of various other industry organizations. Printed copies will be distributed to over 200 state and county officials.

Major concerns raised at the forum included labor shortages; improving the workforce; Optimizing the care and management of horses; improving equestrian facilities; and protecting open space for horse farms and activities.

“The goal of these forums is to take stock of our current situation, address issues and challenges, ensure the long-term success of Maryland’s equine industry, expand its impact and promote its continued growth,” said Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks.