About 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.

Committees

Standing Committees and Descriptions

Executive Committee

• Conduct the business of the MHC
• Administrative
• Advise Board of Directors
• Support the committees
• Conduct regular business and execute policy developed by the Board
• Advise the Board and support the other committees
• Organize quarterly meetings
• Organize content for seminars
• Oversee finances
• Oversee coordination between committee

Government Relations Committee

• Lobby, advise and advocate on a State level for legislation and
  regulatory agencies
• Support members and provide networking opportunities for members
  regarding county or local issues
• Bring associations to a consensus or agreement (via majority, not
  unanimous) on federal issues, so that MHC representative can adequately
  advise AHC on MHC's positions on federal issues

Communications Committee

Sub-Committee for Public & Media Relations & Promotions (this committee
is more focused outward)

• Media Relations
• Membership Development/Recruitment
• Booths & Displays
• Developing Recruitment and Membership Material
• Horse Person of the Year & Pumphrey Honorees
• Party & Fundraisers

Sub-Committee for Communications (this committee would be more focused
inward, on serving members)

• Newsletter (membership only letter and an industry wide version)
• Website
• Membership Communication (meeting notices, etc.)
• New Membership Handbook
• Membership Directory - updated annually
• Updating Public Service Brochures, etc.

Equine Health and Welfare Committee

• Health Issues (particularly contagious and infectious disease control, and the interaction of state regulatory bodies and the horse owner)
• Horse care/husbandry (in particular how riding stables and how equine
  welfare organizations are managed and regulated in the state)
• Disaster management
• Research
• Education
• Advise Executive Committee on topics for Annual Equine Health & Welfare
  Seminar

Trails and Greenways Committee

• Recreational land uses, included but not limited to, public trails and
  trail access
• Liaison with state bodies responsible for overseeing public lands (DNR & MNCP&PC) or offering trail related grants (Maryland Horse Industry Board at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, State Highways Administration)
• Provide networking forum and education opportunities for horsemen working on local and county land issues

Businesses & Stables: Economic Development Committee

• Identify common concerns amongst horse related businesses (boarding stables, racing stables, professional trainers, feed stores, tack shops, farriers, vets, etc.)
• Advise Executive Committee on topics for Annual Business Seminar

Events & Fundraising Committee

• Oversee organization of social functions and/or fundraisers, events for
  MHC awards, honors or presentations

MHC Achievements

• 2009: MHC sponsors 3rd Annual Equine Health and Business Seminars.

• 2009: MHC sponsors feed fund legislation to increase funding for the Maryland Horse Industry Board.

• 2009: MHC sponsors "Horses as Agriculture" to codify that equine activities are agricultural.

• 2008: MHC sponsors 2nd Annual Equine Health and Business Seminars.

• 2007: MHC sponsors the Maryland Equine Emergency Response Symposium.

• 2007: MHC sponsors the 1st Annual Equine Health and Business Seminars.

• 2005: MHC celebrates 20 years!

• 2005: MHC hosts equine liability and insurance forum with Maryland Insurance Commissioner.

• 2005: Maryland Horse Industry Board and Maryland Department of Agriculture ratify Equine Health Advisory Committee.

• 2004: MHC relaunches independent newsletter, but maintains Update in The Equiery.

• 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 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 advises and sponsors MHIB’s Maryland Horse Industry Forum.

• 2003: MHC partners with MHIB for creation of brochure: “What the Horse Industry means to Maryland.”

• 2003: MHC instrumental in defeating bill that would tax lesson stables.

• 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 organizes first open-industry, all equine discipline forum on slots.

• 2002: USDA/MDA conducts the first ever equine census in Maryland.

• 2002: MHC marshals equestrian community dialogue and position on issues of horses as livestock and the issue of horse slaughter.

• 2002: MHC serves on selection committee for the hiring of an Executive Director for MHIB.

• 2002: MHC spearheads support of feed fund bill; bill passes; funding is secured for mission of Maryland Horse Industry Board.

• 2001: MHC supports legislative initiative to establish feed fund; bill fails.

• 2001: Maryland Horse Industry Board begins distributing grants.

• 2000: MHC assembles advisory panel for Columbia Horse Center.

• 2000: MHC sponsors the Maryland portion of the Black Stallion Literacy program.

• 2000: MHC unveils new color logo.

• 2000: MHC Equine Welfare Committee organizes Trailer Rescue Seminar.

• 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 sponsors the continuing education seminar “Vets: Your Role in Animal Cruelty Investigation,” organized by MHC’s Equine Welfare Committee.

• 1999: MHC sponsors contest for new logo.

• 1999: MHC sponsors Saddle Up Maryland, in conjunction with Horse Industry Alliance’s Saddle Up America!

• 1998: MHC and DNR partner to host a Trails Maintenance Seminar.

• 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 hires first professional legislative representative.

• 1997: Pleasure Horse Seminar becomes University Seminars at Horse World Expo; MHC continues its sponsorship and advisement.

• 1997: Maryland passes new “Scope of Practice Law” applying to equine health care practitioners; MHC membership divided on topic.

• 1997: MHC begins writing formal letters to the Maryland Department of Agriculture requesting a formal census.

• 1996: MHC releases brochure on “Insurance, Litigation, Liability Reform and the Effect on the Maryland Horse Industry.”

• 1996: Horses recognized by Maryland Department of Agriculture as an “alternative form of agriculture.”

• 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: MHC joins the national Horse Industry Alliance.

• 1996: TROT and DNR launch plan to map trails using the cutting edge Global Positioning Satellite technology.

• 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.

• 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 Horse Owners.”

• 1994: MHC instrumental in defeating legislation that would have banned the use of whips and spurs by non-racing horse people.

• 1994: MHC sponsors Youth for America - Ride On!, as part of the Washington International Dressage Classic at PGEC.

• 1994: MHC sponsors Maryland Legislative Day, June 5 at the Maryland Horse Center.

• 1993: Prince George’s Equestrian Center opens the new indoor arena.

• 1993: MHC helps defeat effort to replace State sport of jousting with lacrosse.

• 1992: MHC formally partners with Maryland 4-H Foundation on the fundraiser “Maryland Horsemen’s Party.”

• 1992: MHC provide parade of breeds for Grand Reopening of Rosecroft Raceway

• 1992: MHC bumper sticker “Maryland Horses Mean Business” released, featured in EQUUS.

• 1992: Maryland Horse Month becomes The Maryland Fall Festival of the Horse.

• 1992: MHC instrumental in defeating bill to replace State sport of jousting with duck pin bowling.

• 1992: “Why Horses” video, produced by TROT and Montgomery County TV, released; promotes multi-use trails.

• 1992: University of Maryland System & Cooperative Extension Services conducts first Maryland Pleasure Horse Survey

• 1991: MHC begins newsletter in The Equiery.

• 1991: MHC sponsors the Pleasure Horse Seminar in Carroll County.

• 1990: Maryland Horse Month is launched; effort to showcase Maryland's international competitions in partnership with the Maryland Office of Tourism.

• 1989: MHC produces first Horse Industry Directory.

• 1986: Maryland Million Day debuts.

• 1985: Maryland Horse Council is incorporated as a 501(c)(6).