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Maryland Department of Agriculture

Explore Maryland Horse Country

Saddle up & ride Maryland

See Maryland from Horseback - PDF - 5.55 MB! Enjoy the natural beauty of Maryland’s open space, scenic horse farms, woods and park land. 

Maryland's horse trails

Pack up yourself, your horse and hit the trails! 

Guide to Maryland's Horse Trails

In The Guide to Maryland's Horse Trails, you'll find:

  • A map of Maryland's horse trails
  • Lists of private camping and bed & barn facilities, overnight stabling, and licensed trail riding stables and guides
  • Tips from veteran trail riders to help prepare both you and your horse for a safe and enjoyable ride. Whether you are riding your own horse, or one provided by a guide, awareness of safe and courteous trail practices are essential 

Guide to Maryland's Horse Trails

Discover historic horse trails

Maryland Horse Park System

The Maryland Horse Park System comprises four distinct venues, including horse discovery centers, licensed stables, venues, trails and a community of horse organizations.

  • The system is operated by the Maryland Horse Industry Board at the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and is made possible through partnership with Visit Maryland. 
  • It celebrates Maryland’s rich equestrian heritage: more than 300 years of tradition and over 35 different equestrian disciplines thriving across the state.
  • The Maryland Horse Park System aims to connect people with horses for fun, adventure, and incredible moments—even if they’ve never ridden before 

Horsepark website link

History of the horse park system

2015

On Aug. 31, 2015, The Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) released a study commissioned by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) that calls for enhancements to horse competition and recreational horseback riding facilities at the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area (Cecil County) and the Prince George’s Equestrian Center. 

2012

The project would act as a marketplace for the Maryland horse Industry enabling breeders, trainers, and horse enthusiasts to trail ride, drive, compete and sell their animals in a centralized location. While at the same time it will enable the general public to experience the role of the horse in Maryland's past, present, and future in a family-friendly atmosphere. When surveyed in 2007 industry members indicated that the Maryland Horse Park (MHP) was one of the most important MDA projects for the horse industry. When surveyed in 2005, industry members indicated that 97% of the industry is in favor of the project. 

2012 Update: Feasibility Study Find Horse Park Concept Vital to Growth of Maryland’s Horse Industry 

(Annapolis - Nov. 29, 2012) -- Phase One of a new study conducted by The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) and the Maryland Stadium Authority finds that the concept of developing a Maryland Horse Park continues to be vital to the growth of the state’s horse industry but offers some new approaches to an initial study conducted in 2005. The original study recommended building a large central facility similar to the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky for about $120 million. The new study finds that Maryland already has many of the essential components for such a park at existing facilities. The new study suggests that a new horse park can be made up of a system of existing and perhaps upgraded equine facilities across the state that can be linked together and operate cooperatively rather than as strictly individual venues. While suggesting that a linked system would likely work for Maryland, the study makes no conclusive recommendation on actual implementation and leaves the door open to other possibilities. Phase Two of the study will investigate exactly what needs to be done to maximize the use of the state’s current equine facilities and study the potential these facilities have for attracting national and international events, competitions, and visitors to Maryland. Phase Two is scheduled to begin early in 2013 and be completed by the fall. The study is funded jointly by the MHIB and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. To read the study - PDF. For more information, contact MHIB at: 410-841-5798 or [email protected]

Tourism & riding resources

Tourist destinations

On the web