Shaped Dressage Saddle Pad
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Horse Industry Thriving in Montgomery County, Maryland
Montgomery Soil Conservation District Press Release
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March 6, 2001 – A two-year study of the Montgomery County’s horse industry reveals that the County is home to almost 11,000 horses, whose owners spend close to $72 million annually on their animals and riding-related infrastructure, such as arenas, barns, and equipment. An estimated 3,500 additional horses are owned by County residents but kept outside of the County. The study was undertaken by the Montgomery Soil Conservation District while funded by the County’s Department of Economic Development.
With the more than 80 boarding stables filled to capacity and new horse properties appearing almost daily, Montgomery County’s horse industry continues to grow despite limited available land.
“As the equine or horse component of the agricultural industry has grown rapidly over the past 25 years, it became apparent that its contribution and importance to the County needed to be studied in depth,” Montgomery County Executive Douglas Duncan said in his introduction to the study’s final report. “With this upward trend in mind, it is important for public officials at all levels of government to better understand and identify the importance and benefits that horses provide.”
As more and more houses crop up on rural land, policy makers are eager to find nontraditional forms of agriculture that will keep green spaces open. Horses properties not only achieve that goal, they also are keeping many traditional farmers in business.
“It is important to understand and recognize the connectivity between the 14,337 horses identified in the report and the traditional farming operations that produce hay, straw and grain to support these horses,” Duncan said. “Horses are an integral part of agriculture, and they should be incorporated into the definition of agriculture itself.”
The study is based on the results of a six-page questionnaire mailed out to more than 1,800 property owners throughout the County. Approximately half of the addresses were known to have horses, while the balance were agriculturally assessed properties that might have horses. Half of the questionnaires were filled out and returned. In addition to the financial questions, respondents also were asked about the horse-related issues of concern to them and the land- and horse-management practices they incorporate.
The Montgomery Soil Conservation District also has compiled a Montgomery County Directory of Equine Services. Copies of the Directory and the Study are available from the Soil Conservation District office or via the internet at www.farmerlink.com.
For more information on the Montgomery County Horse Study, contact Allison Rogers at the Montgomery Soil Conservation District, (301) 590-2855.
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