By E.B. FURGURSON III, Staff Writer for HometownAnnapolis.com – The Capitol
Facts Speak Louder than Horse-Eater Lies
Despite the foundering economy, and dwindling racing industry, the state’s horse industry is still contributing to the economy and holding its own in some segments, says a recent Maryland Equine Census – the first in nearly a decade.
The last census was taken in 2002 and there have been some wobbles in the numbers since then. For instance, there are 7 percent fewer animals in the state but the value of those equine animals is up 10 percent.
Statewide data collected showed horse industry assets worth $5.6 billion with roughly $513 million spent in the past year. The state’s 81,000 equine animals are at 16,040 locations.
Some 587,000 acres are related to the industry and about 32 percent of those acres are strictly for equine activity, the study found.
“These data show the significant value and size of the equine industry in Maryland and serve as confirmation of the economic importance of this viable industry to the State,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “We are committed to fostering Maryland’s equine industry and doing all we can to protect the thousands of jobs that depend on our rich history of horse racing and recreational riding.”
The biggest drop came in the number of “equine places” which dipped 21 percent since 2002. Those include boarding facilities, commercial and private breeding places, farms, commercial race-related places and private residences where recreational equine are kept.
The same goes for Anne Arundel County. While there are only 90 fewer animals than 2002, down to 4,500, the value of that population went from $27 million to $39.7 million.
Another curious pair of numbers comes in a drop of equine places from 1,330 in 2002 to 950, but the number of acres went up from 9,900 to 10,200, hinting as some consolidation of operations.
The county hovered around No. 7 statewide in most categories except for one glaring difference.
Anne Arundel had more capital expenditures, including buying animals and the purchase or improvement of land and equipment, than any other county in the state – by a long shot.
There was just shy of $40 million spent in capital outlays in the county, far outpacing second-place Montgomery County which had $22.8 million in similar spending.
Why the difference? Representatives of the Department of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service-Maryland could not specify because, they said, they did not break out that level of detail. Assumptions are, however, that a number of large land purchases and the creation of a few large horse training and boarding facilities might have accounted for it.
Another thing that might have skewed the numbers is the census methodology. Though some 24,000 questionnaires were sent out the return rate was 36.5 percent, said Julie Weber, the survey’s statistician. “From there we expanded the reported data to cover those who did not respond.”
So the numbers in the census are not airtight but they do suggest an industry adapting to changing circumstances and holding on, insiders say.
“The numbers reflect what we expected to see based on the current economic climate,” said Jim Steele, chairman of Maryland Horse Industry Board, which commissioned the survey. “The data show the importance of the industry as a whole from race horses to the pleasure-riding segment.”
And there is another reason people held on to their horse related enterprises, Pittman said.
“The industry is still as big as it is because there’s such a passion, they are going to hang on,” he said. “And it is good for the county if they do because they are preserving open space. The industry is the last stand for agriculture, here and across the country.”
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Categories: Equine Rescue, Horse News, Horse Slaughter
Straight from the Horse's Heart 
great information! thanks!
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I for one don’t mind a weak economy because it defers growth and development. Horse farms are generally the first to go because they are already cleared. As your article states 600,000 acres of open spaces in Maryland remain open mostly because of horses. Not long ago I lived in an area that sprawled into every nook and cranny until the city, New Rochelle passed an ordinance banning horses altogether. No horseback riding singes moved along our old trails and parks so we moved 70 miles north. Here growth and development has not spoiled the area because of the large horse farms and riding trails. Property values remain high and people flock like to Mecca to be here to this unspoiled place thanks to all the horses. Our rescue horses fill the souls of hundreds people and kids that otherwise would seek comfort in malls and street corners. Sometimes money, the economy growth and development isn’t as important as horses and open spaces. If only the BLM would understand.
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Remember that the reporter got the stats from the MD Horse Industry Board and MD Horse Council. Last I checked these 2 are deeply involved with Farm Bureau and MHC, if affliated with American Horse Council (sponsor and founding member of the Unwanted Horse Council), is proslaughter…PERIOD.
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One state congressman here in Georgia is pushing to introduce horse racing. Fortunately, the idea hasn’t gotten much traction.
As some one who once volunteered at the State Equine Impound (Critical Care Facility) and has a rescue horse, my definitive response to horse racing is “NO WAY!!” It’s too easy to throw away these animals and increase the already high number of “unwanted” horses in the state, leaving tax payers responsible for their care at either state facilities or already stressed rescues.
Funny how people get so excited about the winners of races. My heart, though, immediately considers the fate of the horse who comes in last. What happens to the “loser?”
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I love racing and have for most of my life. The industry has really smartened up and there are several Race horse retirement places. Most tracks now will bar anyone who sends his horse to an auction where there might be slaughter buyers. They are initiating races that give a certain amount back for the retirees.
All my horses (except my last one) have come from the track.
I saw Whirlaway win his Triple Crown, On TV I watched Secretariat win his. I watched brave Barbaro fight for his life, only to lose to that dreaded laminitis. Much, much research has been developed since then.
I know there are abuses, especially at the “bush” tracks.
The tracks are trying to develope better footing. Yes, I saw Ruffian break her leg and try to keep on running. Once you have owned a TB, there is nothing that can beat its personality and heart.
Just pray for smarter folks and better handling. All equines are precious.
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Sorry Shirley…they are not getting smarter and many are way below an acceptable welfare standard for humans or equines.
To see Whirlaway, Secretariat and Ruffian is remarkable. I think of Cigar, Lady’s Secret and Precisionist in my memory book….in history, I remember Exterminator, Omaha, Count Fleet, Our Mims and Genuine Risk. They are special and remarkable in their own right. Their heart reminds me of the wild ones that made humans and this country great.
But we can hope and work to effect change for both.
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The plantar cushion in a horse’s foot is not fully developed until approximately 5 years of age. This means that the foot simply doesn’t have fully functioning “shock absorbers” until the horse is at least 5.
How young do race horses start training? How many hours are they ridden and at what pace when they’re still just babies?
Sorry, but to me “smart” isn’t a word I can apply to the racing industry. It’s not smart to race a horse that’s still physically immature.
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And don’t forget Native Dancer-the Gray Ghost! I got to give him a pat on the neck after he ran up to the fence. Later a groom came by and warned us not to get to close!
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The Thoroughbred industry’s predictable response to a rebound will be breeding the most to the most, not the best to the best. They play the odds, and the horses’ welfare and lives don’t figure into the equation.
http://www.ocalastyle.com/styleadmin/newsadmin/templates/style-template.asp?articleid=1858&zoneid=34
We’re In For Lean Times
Six of Marion County’s top equestrian and business leaders sat down with Ocala Style for an in-depth interview concerning the state of Marion County’s ailing Thoroughbred industry.
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Linda, Ocala is near and dear to Our hearts. Please write under private email and let us know how things are, we could do an article.
R.T. Fitch Author – “Straight from the Horse’s Heart” The Force of the Horse®, LLC 1-800-974-FOTH http://www.hfhadvisorycouncil.org http://www.rtfitch.com http://www.sfthh.com
Sent from R.T.’s iPad
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Racing mantra….breed for speed (2-3 yo’s that are really 1-2) and short life-span/ownership with a few farms focussing on middle distances (classic in the US…joke in the rest of the world). The tax system and the racing management/racing schedules do not support longevity OR accountability!
TO THE SHED FRED/FREDERICA!!!!!!! That’s where the money is, along with claiming (disgusting road to hell for equines) and flipping/pinhooking sliding down the track quality ladder….eventually to New Holland and Enumclaw. Sick business model.
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The racing industry has essentially been shunned by state governments; much so in heavy ag states.
They will never see the hey-days of pre-70’s interest for many reasons…mostly because of competition for entertainment dollars, poor fan and bettor acknowledgement, sloppy racing industry management and the economic dynamic that is the current racing mentality.
But like I said, these are Horse Council affliated organizations that work closely with Farm Bureau. Equine industries in general no longer have pull with their state governments or the Feds as they used to have.
Maybe that is a good thing….I suspect it is the same neglect and apathy demonstrated by legislators that is part and parcel to the wild equine massacres.
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I would like to interject some comments about the Maryland Horse Council. I went to their website and am posting it below. I do not find anything objectional about their mission as listed. They talk about over-breeding, humane euthanasia, helping rescues, hay banks, etc. Stuart Pittman was just at the Maryland Horse Expo presenting a program on rehoming TB’s off the track. If there is a hidden agenda of slaughter I do not see it here. I think the use of the term “unwanted horse” needs to be changed. Sometimes I think it is better to work within these groups for change than trying to take on everybody and everything.
Disclaimer–I am not related to Jim Steele listed here.lol
Click to access unwanted-horse-project.pdf
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Instead of “unwanted”, I prefer “discarded”, “disposable”, “displaced” (wild horses) – terms that put the onus on the irresponsible HUMAN , not the horse that, by no fault of its own, has become inconvenient. The “Unwanted Horse Coalition” has a red circle with a diagonal bar (like No Smoking) on the “Un” in its logo, giving the impression they’re working to change an “unwanted” horse into a “wanted” horse. Yet they make no effort to reinforce that anywhere in their text. Two extra keystrokes per word would reflect their supposed position – (un)wanted!
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” Wild Horses should be free for all the worlds hearts and eyes to see……”
– By Tina Wooten
Never will (WE ) the (MAJORITY) of this country let the BLM hurt our precious Wild Horses ever again! Wild Horses mean everything to us and trust me (WE } the (MAJORITY) will fight till the end to protecting them!
“WE THE MAJORITY SHOULD COUNT FOR WILD HORSES!”
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