MHC Prince George's County

MD Horse Council Unwanted Horse Project

2015 AHP Equine Survey Results
8 years ago
Maryland Horse Council Farm Stewardship Blog

Tips for Managing Horse Manure - Composting !
9 years ago
Maryland Horse Council Horse Health Blog

Do you ever worry about toxic plants? Here is a chance to get information
9 years ago
Maryland Horse Council Legislative Updates Blog

Excellent article on how a regulation becomes law in Maryland
9 years ago

Upcoming Events

Are you hosting an upcoming event in Prince George's County? E-mail Erica to add them here!

Local Organizations

Equine Task Force
Show Place Arena

Maryland Equine Census for Prince George's County

According to the 2010 Maryland Equine Census, there were 79,100 horses, ponies, mules, donkeys and burros in the state of Maryland on May 1, 2010, down 9 percent from the 87,100 on hand in 2002. Light Horse Breeds accounted for 50 percent of the total followed by Race Horse Breeds with 37 percent of the total. Ponies accounted for 7 percent of the total and Draft Horse Breeds and Donkeys, Mules and Burros each accounted for 3 percent of the total. The two largest equine counties in terms of inventory were Baltimore and Montgomery at 8,950 and 7,900 head, respectively.

The value of the equine inventory on May 1, 2010 was $714 million, up 5 percent from 2002. There were a total of 16,040 equine places throughout Maryland, down 21 percent from 2002. This includes boarding facilities, commercial and private breeding places, farms, commercial race related places as well as private residences where equine are being kept for recreational purposes. These equine operations accounted for a total of 587,000 acres of which 188,000 acres were devoted to equine.

The value of all equine related assets totaled $5.6 billion including the value of the inventory, up 8 percent from 2002. The value of land, fencing and buildings made up 74 percent of the total assets and the value of inventory accounted for 13 percent of the total assets. Total equine related expenditures spent in Maryland in calendar year 2009 amounted to just under $513 million of which 71 percent were operating expenditures and 29 percent were capital expenditures. Total equine expenditures are down 33 percent from 2002.

For Prince George’s County ...

Total Equine Inventory: 7,100

Total Equine Inventory Owned: 1,940

Total Equine Inventory Boarded for Others: 5,160

Total Value of Equine Inventory: $196,715,000

Number of Equine Places: 770

Total Equine Related Acres: 5,700

Total Number of People Involved: 1,730

Total Assets (not including equine inventory value): $154,857,000

Total Capital Expenditures: $9,789,000

Zoning and Planning for Prince George's County

(1) “Agriculture” uses may be permitted in V-L and V-M zones provided the proposed use:

a. Preserves the agricultural land, open space, scenic vistas, and environmental features of the area;

b. Complements the natural characteristic of the area; and

c. Does not detract from the Village residents’ health, safety, welfare, and enjoyment of the Zone.

(2) “Agricultural Land” shall mean all real property that is carried on the tax rolls of the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation as agricultural; or all other land that is currently used for agricultural operations and has been used, and/or is under preparation for use as an agricultural operation continuously for at least 1 year.

(3) “Agricultural Operations” includes among many uses, equine activities and equine facilities.

(4) “Agritourism” includes “Equine Activities” and “equine facilities” Agritourism includes farm or ranch stays subject to the same rules as a Bed-and-Breakfast Inn as defined in the County Code.

(5) “Equine Activities” includes teaching equestrian skills, participating in equestrian events, competitions, exhibitions or other displays of equestrian skills and caring for, breeding, boarding, dealing, selling, renting, riding, or training equines. The terms shall not include “Animal Boarding Place.”

(6) “Equine Facility” includes barns, stables, rings, paddocks or accessory buildings or structures used for equine activities.

(7) An “Animal Holding Facility” shall mean any commercial facility for the care, boarding, training, holding, harboring, or housing of any animal or animals, and includes but is not limited to, a riding school or stable.

(8) “Domesticated Animal” means an animal of a species that has been bred, raised, and is accustomed to live in or about the habitation of man, and is dependent on man for food or shelter.

(9) “Farm Animal” shall mean any domesticated species of animal commonly kept in proximity to, but not ordinarily housed in the immediate domicile or household of, humans, and used for agricultural or equine activities. Farm animals shall include, but not limited to, horses.

(10) “Livestock” shall include (but not limited to) all domestic or domesticated equine animals. Companion animals are not livestock.

(11) “Private Stable” is any stable wherein the owner houses or stables only his/her own horse.

(12) “Riding School or Stable” shall mean any place at which horses are boarded or displayed; or which the horses are available for hire or riding instruction or pony rides; or which regularly buys, sells, trains, or trades horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, or burros, including any thoroughbred racetrack, trotting track, or rodeo. No person may operate a riding school or commercial stable without a County riding school and stable license. An annual fee is applicable. Standards for riding schools and stables include:

a. Compliance with the minimum standards of the County Code.

b. All animals shall be provided with daily food and water which shall be wholesome, palatable and of sufficient quantity and nutritional value, and free of any contamination.

c. Shelter shall consist of an enclosure with at least 3 solid walls and a solid roof. All buildings and sheds used for stabling shall be well lit and ventilated and provide protection from extreme weather.

d. All buildings and sheds used for stabling shall be kept clean and in good repair, manure shall be removed daily.

e. Stacked manure piles shall not be allowed to stand for a period in excess of 4 days, except when weather conditions prohibit its removal, and in all instances must be kept at least 50’ from a building or shed housing animals.

f. Stabling shall be graded and drained to prevent pooling of water; no open drains; no garbage, fecal matter or similar matter shall be allowed to remain in the stable or enclosure.

g. Owner and operator of a stable shall be responsible for suppression of internal parasites, flies, and other insects attracted to the stable site.

(13) A riding stable may be permitted as a temporary Special Exception, if adjacent areas are predominately underdeveloped. A riding stable may be permitted in the V-L and V-M Zones, provided the proposed use complies with those of “Agriculture” uses.

(14) A “Rural Entertainment Park” promotes entertainment and recreational opportunities in rural areas of the County. Permitted uses include indoor or outdoor riding arenas, trails, riding stables (with or without paddocks)

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