Become a Horse Discovery Center
What does it mean to be a Horse Discovery Center?
Horse Discovery Centers are licensed stables that strive to provide the general public with a safe, friendly, and educational experience, particularly for those individuals who have never or rarely experienced horses personally.
They are part of a voluntary certification program, and can offer tours, demonstrations, educational programs, and riding experiences to individuals and groups for free or minimal fees.
Horse Discovery Centers are Maryland's gateway to bring people to the entire industry via your stable gates!
History & growth
The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MIHB) launched a statewide network of 35 Horse Discovery Centers in 15 counties in April 2015, which has grown each year and now has 42 Horse Discovery Centers in 18 counties.
The breadth and diversity of the stables in the Discovery Center network is wide and deep. They range from trail riding centers to Western riding operations to horse rescues and stables offering summer camps, and English equitation. Geographically they are located in all regions of the state.
See a list of our Horse Discovery Centers.
Certification
MHIB invites licensed stables to volunteer to become a Horse Discover Center if they are willing to meet stringent criteria and eagerly welcome newcomers with open arms to educate them about horses and horsemanship.
Criteria include:
- Proof of commercial liability insurance
- Written programs and procedures addressing safety rules and public outreach
- Clean, sanitary conditions, equipment, and facilities
- Well-cared-for and healthy horses
How certification works
Certification is voluntary. No fees are assessed for applying for certification. Each facility maintains its own fee structure for activities conducted on site. Annual re-certification is required and ongoing until revoked by MHIB for failure to comply with regulations and requirements, or facility voluntarily withdraws.
Full criteria
Facilities participating in the certification program agree to be monitored by MHIB based on the following criteria:
Horse Discovery Center Guidelines
Required
- MHIB licensed and in good standing i
- Allow scheduled and unscheduled inspections by MHIB and pass all inspections ii
- Clean, sanitary conditions of facility, including restroom or portable restroom
- Availability of hand washing or hand sanitizer for guests
- Sufficient parking, at least one spot reserved for handicap parking
- Maintain commercial liability insurance iii
- Fire extinguishers present in barn(s) and classroom(s)
- First Aid kit for humans and horses
- Maintain medications and medical supplies in safe and secure location
- Written liability release form
- Written safety rules posted and/or provided to participants (including use of helmets, and proper riding attire for facilities offering riding activities)
- Written program plan & procedures (tours, demonstrations, education, etc.)
- Written incident response plan and procedure (report of all incidents)
- Written “rider information” form/permission for treatment iv
- Classroom facility or suitable area for conducting educational activities
- Instruction areas for riding (rings, arenas) maintained with good footing, free of hazards, solid fencing, adequate head clearances, etc.
Suggested
- Handicap accessible areas of facility (please notify MHIB if unable to accept limited mobility guests/clients)
- Posted hours (and days) of operation
- Appropriate horse handling areas for conducting activities
- Written photographic release form (if video or photos are taken)
- Written lesson plans and fee structure for paid services
- Written emergency preparedness plan & procedure (severe weather, fire, disease outbreak, etc.)
- Written horse and facility management plan (care of horses and facility)
Required
- Well cared for and healthy animals
- Maintain health records on each horse at facility
- Availability of clean water and adequate forage
- Follow standard industry practices for working horses (maximum hours used)
- Properly fitted tack and equipment used on horses
Required
- Helmets required and available for lessons (clean, sanitary, and undamaged)
- Written procedure for identifying riding skill & experience of riders
- Tack and equipment maintained for safety and sanitation, organized and accessible
- Written procedure for introducing rider to horse; safety check
- Facilities offering therapeutic and specialized instruction to handicapped individuals must conform to those particular industry standards customary for such services
Suggested
- Mounts identified suitable for different levels of riders and on ground interactions(entry level, novice, experienced, therapeutic, etc.)
- Written procedure for screening horses for riding levels
- Written procedures for inspecting tack for safety and sanitation
Required
- Management has working knowledge of MD liability laws and risk assessment
- Attend periodic information sessions and share best practices with others
- Ability to email events, reports and respond to MHIB in a timely manner (normally monthly)
- Management and support personnel exhibit enthusiasm and selflessness
- Willingness to accept guests to site
- Exhibit exemplary customer service
- Willingness to offer referrals to other facilities
- Provide orientation to guests on first visit
- Client to staff ratio appropriate to maintain a quality & safe experience for guests/clients (appropriate to type of activity offered)
- Staff of appropriate age, maturity and experience for facility’s programs
- File annual report to MHIB (form to be provided by MHIB)
- Build collegial network within horse industry
- Promote a positive image of the Maryland horse industry
- Offer educational components (e.g. demonstrations, tours, lessons)
- Willingness to teach basic horsemanship
- Experienced instructors (certification, or combination of training & experience)
- Able to refer a local tack shop conducive to inexperienced riders
Suggested
- Continuing education on industry practices for management and personnel
- Personnel trained in first aid and CPR
- Availability of a portable defibrillator (and trained personnel on its use)
- Certified Horsemanship Association certification
- Maintain confidential notes on client’s progress
- Availability of reasonably priced starter riding kits (helmets, boots, etc.)
Endnotes
i “In good standing” shall mean all licensing and inspection fees are paid timely and in full.
ii MHIB inspectors may make unannounced inspections for purposes of maintaining certification and/or if complaints or concerns have been directed to MHIB regarding the facility.
iii Customized liability release provided as a courtesy.
iv Customized Rider Information Form/Medical Release provided as a courtesy.
v Participating facilities are encouraged to direct guests to other certified facilities or those facilities management knows to be safe and appropriate for the activity sought by the guest which they may be unable to provide.
Contact us
Would you like to be a part of the HDC network? Email [email protected]