Maine Get involved

MFB Horse Council

“The purpose of a state horse council is to promote the interests of the entire industry through political action, public information and the development of a close working relationship among individuals and organizations who recognize the importance of the horse industry to the economic, social and cultural well-being of the state.”
– The American 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