Category Archives: Educational Resources

Maryland Horse Library & Education Center

Learn why the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center is important to Maryland’s horse industry. Featuring testimonials from Ross Peddicord, Chip & George Doetsch, Maggie Wolfendale, Joe Clancy, Scott Wykoff, and Boyd Browning.

Located in the heart of historic Reisterstown in the Maryland Horse Breeders Association’s building at 321 Main Street, the Maryland Horse Library and Education Center honors the history of horses in Maryland and serves as a hub for learning and collaboration. The breadth and depth of the Maryland horse industry is represented by a robust collection of over 10,000 reference books in a warm and welcoming venue available for public use. In addition to the reference library, the Maryland Horse Library and Education Center includes a memorabilia area, versatile meeting space, interactive kiosks and rotating exhibits.

It’s never too late to be a part of this exciting project! Learn more about the various ways you can support the Maryland Horse Library and Education Center HERE.

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AHP Equine Media Student Award

2023 Applications now open! Apply before February 14, 2023.

Are you an aspiring equine journalist? Get a chance to jumpstart your career in equine media through the American Horse Publication’s Equine Media Student Award! Each year AHP awards up to three talented students with travel grants to the annual AHP Conference. Additional benefits include the opportunity to network with equine media professionals and attend educational workshops and lectures. Of the Travel Award winners, one will be chosen for the AHP Equine Media Student Award and receive a $1000 cash prize.

Applications are restricted to high school seniors and undergraduate matriculated college students under the age of 25. Click here for more information on award eligibility and guidelines.

For more information on AHP and its various student programs, contact Judy Lincoln at AHorsePubs2@aol.com or visit www.americanhorsepubs.org.

 

Pony Club

Pony Club is the largest equestrian educational organization in the world.  This is where it all begins! The cornerstones of our foundation are education, safety, sportsmanship, stewardship and FUN. Members learn riding and the care of horses through mounted sports. The skills, habits and values instilled through horsemanship will apply to every part of a member’s life.

Participating members have access to the Pony Club online community, sponsor discounts, educational standards and achievements, a Pony Club Pin, and the chance to participate in activities such as lessons and certifications, rallies and competitions, Championships and Pony Club Festival. A host of additional programs such as international exchanges, USEF Pony Finals, Dressage for Kids, National Youth Board, National Youth Congress, scholarships, and the Visiting Instructors Program are available to members who develop and progress through Pony Club. Many of our graduates feel that Pony Club helped shape their character and the choices they have made as adults.

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Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation

Maryland Agricultural Educational Foundation (MAEF) is a non-governmental, non-profit 501c3 operating under the guidance of a 25 member Board of Directors. The Foundation was incorporated in 1989 following recommendations of a Governor’s task force reviewing the status of agriculture in education in Maryland. MAEF is an independent organization whose purpose would be to educate Marylanders about the important role agriculture plays in their lives. MAEF conducts a variety of educational and promotional programs throughout the state using agriculture, nutrition & natural resources as the tools for teaching core subjects, STEM and Next Generation Science.

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Maryland Combined Training Association

The Maryland Combined Training Association (MCTA) organizes a nationally recognized Horse Trials in May at Shawan Downs in Hunt Valley, Maryland. This competition offers all levels, Novice through Advanced. The club also manages two “unrecognized” horse trials — the Starter Horse Trials in June in Southern Maryland and one in November held at Tranquility Manor Farm in Jacksonville Maryland. “Jenny Camp” as the fall horse trials is known, is one of the oldest competitions of its kind in the area.

MCTA also holds numerous clinics and webinar series such as Equine First Aid and Safely Returning to Competition.

Check out their upcoming clinics and activities here→

Getting Started with Horses in Maryland – Webinar Series

Find the full playlist on University of Maryland Horse Extension’s YouTube channelLots of families are discovering the mental and physical benefits of horseback riding and are curious about getting involved in this great outdoor activity.

Featured Videos:

How to Find a Place to Ride
What to Wear and Bring when Riding Horses
How to Select a Horse to Buy or Lease
Buying a Horse Property: Know Before You Buy

School Horse Curriculum: Horses for Courses

The Maryland Horse Industry Board (MHIB) program is happy to share this curriculum guide with farm-based educators and non-formal teachers who work with Horse Discovery Center stables and equine centers open to school group visits. Horses for Courses raises the level of public awareness of Maryland’s equestrian/equine traditions and the positive impact of horses on the quality of life in Maryland by blending history and science education with dynamic, fun, hands-on lessons for grades 4 through 8. Lessons have been aligned with MSDE Voluntary Social Studies Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, and the Maryland Environmental Literacy Guidelines.


Introduction

Learn about the program and the structure of the curriculum.

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Unit I – The Equine Landscape: Keeping Horses on the Land

Students will experience the equine landscape from the perspective of human and natural history.

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Unit I – The Equine Landscape: Trail Care Day

Students will participate in a trail maintenance activity and demonstrate an understanding of stewardship and multi-use trail responsibility and protection.

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Unit I – The Equine Landscape: Livestock, Athlete, or Recreation?

Students will explore the history of horses in Maryland to understand how humans have utilized these animals in different ways.

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Unit I – The Equine Landscape: A Need for Breeds

Students will explore breeds to understand that throughout history, people have selectively bred horses to serve certain purposes and needs on the land.

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Unit II – The Healthy Horse: The Form of the Horse

Students will learn the importance of good conformation and how horse anatomy contributes to its physical ability.

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Unit II – The Healthy Horse: The Equine Veterinarian

Students will explore the work of equine veterinarians.

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Unit II – The Healthy Horse: Reading the Horse

Students will explore the ways horses communicate through body language.

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Unit II – The Healthy Horse: My Healthy Horse

Students will be able to compare and contrast the requirements for good human health and the responsibilities of horse owners for the health of their animals and their environments.

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Unit III – Sporting Horses: How Many Hands?

Students will be able to measure a horse in hands and determine what tasks certain breeds may be best suited for.

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Unit III – Sporting Horses: Necessity to Sport

Students will be able to describe at least three popular competitive equestrian activities that are based on the historic uses of horses in industry and military service.

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Unit III – Sporting Horses: Run and Jump!

Students will use math and design skills to create across-country course that honors Maryland traditions in hunting and a mounted military.

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Unit III – Sporting Horses: Spark and Queen Mab

Students will understand the role that fast horse breeds have played in Maryland equine history for recreation, sport, and service.

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Unit IV – The Art of the Horse: Shades, Stars, and Stripes

Students will be able to recognize and identify the variety and beauty of markings and colors of horses in life and art.

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Unit IV – The Art of the Horse: Equine Unveiled

Students will explore how the horse has elevated the historical esteem society and cultures hold for important figures in national and state history.

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Unit IV – The Art of the Horse: Mainly Manes

Students will be able to braid and weave a horse’s mane using basic fiber arts techniques.

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Unit IV – The Art of the Horse: The Equine Artist

Students will demonstrate the foundations of equine illustration using direct observation.

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