Background on the importance of the horse community in Montgomery County:

Montgomery County is Maryland's most populous county, and is located adjacent to the Nation’s Capital. It is home to more than 12,000 horses. The horse community contributes almost $200 million annually to Montgomery County and the surrounding area. Equestrian businesses (feed, tack, vet, training, boarding) as well as the horse industry (breeding and racing) occupy a significant place in the county’s economic landscape. Open space for horse farms, pasture, trails and training facilities is a requirement for the continued existence of this horse community and the benefits it provides to our economy and environment.

There are more than 20,000 acres of farmland devoted to horse farms in Montgomery County. The county is home to the largest number of “equine places” (2,600) of any county in Maryland. Of all the horse facilities that offer access the trail riding, an astonishing 94% report using private lands for equestrian trails or access to public lands. More than 4000 Montgomery County residents are involved in equestrian activities. The total value of all equine related assets in Maryland is more than $5 billion. Equine related expenditures in Maryland totaled more than three quarters of a  billion dollars in 2002. Horse people own an estimated 685,000 acres of Maryland land. We recognize that loss of open space and farmland to development is an issue important, not just for equestrians, but for all county residents who enjoy hiking, biking, birdwatching or just enjoying local produce and the overall benefits of open space. The same land that is intended for preservation for agricultural purposes, such as the Agricultural Reserve, also sustains Montgomery County's horse population.

EPIC’s PURPOSE AND MISSION

• Maintain and increase equestrian access to, and use of, public and private lands by working with equestrians, landowners, farmers, developers, horse facilities, state and county government and others to establish trail agreements, easements and other legal means toward the establishment of a well mapped, countywide equestrian trail system.

• Support legislation and zoning to increase and/or maintain equestrian access to public and private lands.

• Work with public and private landowners to establish and maintain equestrian trails on public and private lands.

• Conduct and/or sponsor trail rides and programs to promote and educate the public about the values and benefits of trail riding.

• Support the protection of Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve.

WHAT WE DO

• Over the years, EPIC has lobbied state and local government and testified in support of legislation to increase and maintain equestrian access to public and private lands. EPIC has testified before Montgomery County zoning authorities to make as many lands as possible open to equestrian use.

• Since its inception, EPIC has worked to create model public equestrian trail systems on private and public land. It has developed and maintains the Breezy Loop and Dry Seneca Trail systems. The majority of the trails that we ride on are on private land, and use of these trails is mostly based on handshake agreements with property owners.