Gov. Moore Hails Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore today announced the completion of the Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan—marking a major milestone in a statewide effort to bring together the sectors of Maryland's horse industry and establish a shared path for its continued growth, sustainability and success. "Today, our state established a clear path for the continued success of Maryland's horse industry by uniting all facets of the community through one shared vision," said Gov. Moore. "Maryland's horse industry is a powerful symbol of the state's heritage, agriculture, and economy. The industry touches not just equine industries, but every sector in the state, including our jobs, tourism, education, land stewardship and more. By providing everyone a seat at the table, we are uplifting our communities and building a legacy for generations to come." Established by Governor Wes Moore through Executive Order 01.01.2025.23 in November 2025, the Strategic Plan recognizes something that has long distinguished Maryland; horses do not impact simply one industry or one discipline. They are part of an interconnected ecosystem that reaches across agriculture, sport and recreation, tourism, education, workforce development, veterinary medicine, equine-assisted services, racing and breeding, land preservation, aftercare, and thousands of businesses and professions throughout the state. With more horses per square mile than any other state, Maryland's equine ecosystem generates an estimated $2.9 billion in total economic impact, contributes $1.05 billion to Maryland's GDP, and supports 28,434 direct and indirect jobs, according to the American Horse Council Foundation's 2023 Economic Impact Study cited in the Strategic Plan. The significance of the Strategic Plan - PDF--published as Governor Moore declares October 2026 the Sixth Annual Maryland Horse Month--extends beyond the size of the industry. For the first time, Maryland has undertaken a coordinated effort to look at the horse industry as a whole--identifying where its sectors intersect, where they face common challenges and where working together can create opportunities that no individual organization or discipline could achieve alone. Recommendations made by the Horse Industry Strategic Planning Committee include: Strengthening pipelines to workforce opportunities within the horse industry, including a full inventory of job recruitment and training programs, industry-specific credentialing and education programs, and outreach initiatives for young people in Maryland; Building a pilot program to monitor the full lifecycle of Maryland racehorses, from breeding and active racing through retirement, and developing a data-driven approach to improve equine welfare throughout a horse's lifetime; Improving collaboration among equine industry leaders, the Maryland Horse Industry Board, and the Maryland Office of Tourism to uplift all attractions the horse industry offers, from racetracks and horse shows to horse farms, wineries, breweries, and farm markets; and Uplifting industry-wide support of the Pimlico redevelopment project, statewide equestrian training center, and the next era of the Preakness Stakes and Preakness Festival under Maryland's ownership and control. At the heart of those recommendations is a simple principle that Maryland's horse sectors can retain their individual identities and priorities while also recognizing the issues on which the entire ecosystem benefits from speaking and acting through a unified voice. "This Strategic Plan reaffirms our commitment to build a stronger future for Maryland's horse industry that will protect its legacy and grow our economy," said First Lady Dawn Moore. "As First Lady and a champion for creating opportunities to uplift the horse industry, I am proud of our work that breaks down silos and builds on the collective impact we must leverage to create lasting, meaningful change for the industry, our communities, and all Marylanders." The Strategic Plan explores ways the State can help support Maryland's Horse Industry through department and agency programs, including economic and workforce development initiatives, as well as efforts to protect the natural resources and agricultural lands used by the industry. For example, the Maryland Department of Agriculture provides resources to help equine operations improve pasture management, reduce soil erosion, and protect local waterways. Building on these efforts, the Department will host the first Equine Conservation Summit on November 14, 2026 to further engage horse farm owners and industry partners in advancing conservation practices and responsible land stewardship. "This Strategic Plan shows us what the future of Maryland's horse industry can be," said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. "Maryland has the history, talent, land and diversity of equine experiences to turn this vision into action, and MDA is committed to helping lead that work. Together, we can ensure Maryland remains the Horse State not only because of our proud legacy, but because of the future we are building." "This Strategic Plan launches an important new chapter for Maryland's horse ecosystem," said Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu. "It provides a roadmap for the Department of Labor and the Maryland Racing Commission to continually advance health, safety, and integrity in horseracing, and build a modern regulatory framework that will serve the industry well into the future." "Maryland's horse industry is both part of our heritage and a significant economic asset, supporting jobs, businesses, tourism and communities across our state," said Maryland Secretary of Commerce Harry Coker, Jr. "This strategic plan gives us a framework to build on those strengths by better connecting an ecosystem that spans agriculture, racing and recreation, tourism, education, workforce development and land preservation. By working across sectors, we can strengthen the businesses and workforce already here, create new opportunities for investment and tourism, and ensure Maryland remains a national leader in the horse industry for generations to come." "Throughout Maryland's history, equestrians have used public lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources for hunting, exploring, and developing meaningful connections with the natural world," said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. "We look forward to continuing to connect riding, camping, eventing, and racing opportunities on the state's public lands with Maryland's horsemen and horsewomen. This strategic plan coupled with our ongoing development of Fair Hill in Cecil County--a global equestrian destination--will provide significant economic growth and recreational opportunities for the horse industry and its riders well into the future." "The horse industry is a global industry, and Maryland has the resources, leadership, heritage, and forward vision to leverage these assets, grow this industry, and create lasting benefits for our citizens for generations to come," said Maryland Secretary of State Susan C. Lee. "Furthermore, Maryland is already home to world-class equestrian events, facilities, and traditions to be uplifted, showcased to the world, and elevated in the minds of all Marylanders--whether they are lifelong horse enthusiasts or simply enjoy great festivals and sporting events. The Maryland Horse Industry Strategic Plan provides the first-of-its-kind framework to accomplish this important work." The Strategic Plan's message is ultimately one of opportunity: Maryland's horse industry is strongest when its sectors come together. With a shared vision now in place, the state and industry can build on that strength, turn collaboration into action and carry the momentum of this planning process forward into Maryland's next chapter as a national leader in the horse industry.