MFB Horse Council

The Maine Farm Bureau Horse Council (MFBHC) was formed in 1995. MFBHC is a state horse council affiliated with the American Horse Council. Locally, our council is a branch of the Maine Farm Bureau Association. Both organizations are statewide, private, non-profit, grassroots organizations funded through membership dues.

Our mission is to preserve, promote and protect horses, horse-related activities and the equine industry in the state of Maine. Membership in MFBHC offers many benefits to the horse owner and the horse-related business owner. By joining, you will be working to protect your rights as a horse owner and business owners will have valuable marketing and networking opportunities. Our motto is “Strength in Numbers.” Only if we pull together as a united front can we be effective in protecting and promoting our interests in Maine.

What has the Horse Council done for you?

• Drafted, sponsored and enacted an Equine Limit to Liability Law, which will help to protect all Maine horse owners from frivolous lawsuits.
• Abolished the “hay tax” on hay sold for equine consumption. Maine horse owners no longer have to pay state sales tax on products used in agricultural production.
• Stopped efforts to impose stable licensing laws.
• Sponsored repeal of “Damage by Animals” law, which held horse owners liable for damage and/or personal injury caused by their horses, regardless of fault.
• Sponsored amendment of “Landowner Liability” law to include horse-related activities, making private landowners more likely to allow you use of their land.
• Helped stop efforts to allow Sunday hunting.
• Worked to clarify existing horse trailer laws and regulations.

If you care about horses in Maine – do not wait….join today!

Equine in Need

April 16, 2009

Help for Maine Horses/Equine in Need Some horses in Maine are facing a difficult time. With rising costs of hay, fuel, grain, a worsening economy & job losses some horse owners may not be able to care for their horse. Maine Farm Bureau and the MFB Horse Council are putting together a list of Farmers Helping Farmers. If you can help with any of the following, please contact the MFB office at 1-800-639-2126 or email jjennings@mainefarmbureau.com with what you are able to do. Those that have volunteered resources are listed below:

Could you provide any of the following? Feed donations? What type and how much? Would you be willing to foster horses? For how long if so? Provide trailer & transportation? Cleaning of stalls? Training? Mentoring for new horse owners? Other? For more details call the MFB Office.

 · Cathy Thomas: hippology@verizon.net Provide trailer & transportation? for local deliveries x Cleaning of stalls? my 4-H club can help as a project - not full time x Training? Can't take on any more at my place.. but can help on site x Mentoring for new horse owners? absolutely... x Other? -- help with knowledge, lessons to at risk youth (for free), equine support....

· Katharine Braid: katharinebraid@hotmail.com used equipment- halters, leadlines, some bridles or bridle parts and bits that I can donate and I would be willing to train or mentor if the horse is within reasonable driving distance of Edgecomb

. · Deb Plengey: debplengey@roadrunner.com We will provide 100 bales of hay, transportation in the greater Augusta area, mentoring and fostering.

 Tim Porter Maine.porters@verizon.net North Yarmouth, Maine 207-846-1249 would be willing to volunteer to help someone on a Saturday or Sunday in caring for their horse, cleaning stalls, feeding, watering and grooming. I would prefer it be a draft horse, if possible.

Pam Logue: painfreepets@hotmail.com I have room for another horse on my farm and am going to advertise for a horse/rider combination. I will give free board, including hay, but expect the owner to pay vet, blacksmith, grain, etc. I have a new barn, large pasture, and box stalls. In exchange, I would need the occasional use of their horse when my husband decides to ride or my daughter comes home for a visit. The horse must be well mannered and an excellent trail horse. We have miles of trails here in Dixmont and I would hope that the owner would ride regularly. I don't want to just keep a second horse, because I don't have time to ride two and I hate to just see a horse stand around day after day. If you have someone on your list that might be interested, please have them email me at painfreepets@hotmail.com or call 234-1017.

Tom Hutchinson Bethel, Maine 04217 h 207-824-4515 e mail tch1@megalink.net Feed donations YES Foster horses MAYBE for a month at a time Trailer YES Clean YES Training YES Mentoring YES

Horse Farm of Merit

January 27, 2010

Maine Farm Bureau Horse Council’s

Horse Farm of Merit Program

The Maine Farm Bureau’s “Horse Farm of Merit” program is established to recognize Maine horse farms who meet high standards for overall horse health, farm management, and compliance with public safety.  The intent of the program is to recognize and promote those farms who meet or exceed the established standards. Qualified equine professionals will evaluate horse farms.

The program will:

   ● provide the public with a list of farms meeting the standards.

   ● provide beneficial information to the farms.

The program has been developed and is overseen by the Maine Farm Bureau.

Certificates of Merit are based on criteria of horse health, farm management, and public standards compliance. A Certificate of Merit may used for promotion of the farm for the duration of the year. The suitability of the farm for the breed or type of activity conducted will be considered when scoring each farm. Farms are judged annually. Judging visits will be scheduled with the farms. Recipients will receive a distinctive sign that can be used at their discretion.

Program Rules

1.   A Certificate of Merit and sign will be presented at the Maine Farm Bureau Annual Meeting. The certificate will be valid for the succeeding calendar year.

2.   Applicants must have at least two years of involvement in the horse industry.

3.   Horse Farm of Merit signs are the property of the Maine Farm Bureau and may be reclaimed if the farm fails to maintain the standards of the program.

4.   There shall be a non-refundable annual application fee of $25 for Maine Farm          Bureau members and $125 for non-      members. Fees cover the cost of administering the program. No farm will be judged unless fees are paid.

5.   The sign shall not be displayed at or moved to other premises.

The deadline for application is August 15^th, 2010.  Please call the Farm Bureau office for more information or to request an application: 1-800-639-2126.