Subtitle 9 – Horse Riding and Driving
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Part I – Definitions; Scope
Balt., Md., Code § 10-901 (2026)
§ 10-901 Definitions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
In this subtitle, the following terms have the meanings indicated.
(b)Driving.
“Driving” means the process of using a horse:
(1)
for riding; or
(2)
for pulling a wagon, cart, carriage, or other vehicle or device.
(c)Driving license.
“Driving license” means a license issued by the Commissioner to use a horse:
(1)
for riding; or
(2)
for pulling a wagon, cart, carriage, or other vehicle or device.
(d)Horse.
“Horse” means a horse, pony, donkey, or mule that is:
(1)
owned, driven, used, or quartered in the City, whether permanently or temporarily; and
(2)
used for:
(i)
riding, driving, or breeding;
(ii)
showing or performing in any exhibition or animal show; or
(iii)
any work or labor.
(e)Stable.
“Stable” means any place where horses are:
(1)
boarded or displayed;
(2)
rented for riding, driving, or other purposes; or
(3)
bred, bought, sold, trained, or traded.
(f)Stable operator.
“Stable operator” means the person who owns or is in charge of a stable.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
History: Ord. 13-175
Balt., Md., Code § 10-902 (2026)
§ 10-902 Exemptions.LinkCopy Citation
This subtitle does not apply to any horse that is:
(1)
in the custody of a zoological park or its agents or contractors, if the zoological park is licensed under this title and regulated by a Maryland or federal agency;
(2)
in a laboratory where scientific research is carried out under regulation of a Maryland or federal agency; or
(3)
regulated by the Maryland Racing Commission.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-903 to 10-904 (2026)
§§ 10-903 to 10-904LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part II – Driving Licenses
Balt., Md., Code § 10-905 (2026)
§ 10-905 License required.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Except as otherwise specified in this section, no one may drive a horse unless:
(1)
he or she is 18 years old or older;
(2)
has been issued a driving license by the Commissioner; and
(3)
has that driving license with him or her while driving the horse.
(b)Exceptions.
This section does not apply to the rider of a horse that is being held or led, during the entire period of rental or use, by a custodian with a valid driving license.
(c)Waivers.
The Commissioner may waive the requirements of this section for individuals participating in:
(1)
animal shows;
(2)
organized competitions;
(3)
special events involving the transportation of people in carriages or sleighs; or
(4)
similar events.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-906 (2026)
§ 10-906 Applications.LinkCopy Citation
The application for a driving license must:
(1)
be in the form that the Commissioner requires;
(2)
be accompanied by an affidavit certifying that the applicant has never been convicted of animal abuse, cruelty, or neglect; and
(3)
contain the information that the Commissioner considers necessary to determine whether an applicant:
(i)
is capable of humanely handling a horse; and
(ii)
otherwise qualified for a driving license under this subtitle and the rules and regulations adopted under it.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-907 (2026)
§ 10-907 Issuance; Form.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Issuance.
The Office must issue a driving license to the applicant if:
(1)
the applicant qualifies for the license; and
(2)
pays the required fee.
(b)Form.
The driving license must contain:
(1)
the licensee’s full legal name, current address, date of birth, sex, height, weight, and eye, skin, and hair colors; and
(2)
a clear, full-face, head-and-shoulders photograph of the driver that:
(i)
was taken within the preceding 12 months; and
(ii)
measures 1¼" by 1¼".
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-908 (2026)
§ 10-908 Term.LinkCopy Citation
Unless sooner suspended or revoked, a driving license expires annually on the anniversary date of its issuance.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-909 (2026)
§ 10-909 Denial, suspension, revocation, etc.LinkCopy Citation
The Commissioner of Health may deny, amend, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a driving license as provided in Subtitle 2, Part III, of this title.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-910 to 10-911 (2026)
§§ 10-910 to 10-911LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part III – Required Care
Balt., Md., Code § 10-912 (2026)
§ 10-912 Examination by veterinarian.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Annual examination required.
The custodian of every horse must have the horse examined by a veterinarian at least once a year.
(b)Scope of examination.
The examination must cover:
(1)
the general condition of the horse and its teeth, hoofs, and shoes; and
(2)
the horse’s stamina and physical ability to carry the loads and perform the work for which it is intended.
(c)Veterinarian’s record.
(1)
The veterinarian must make a record of:
(i)
any injury, disease, or deficiency detected; and
(ii)
any prescription or recommendation for curing or correcting that condition or for any other disposition of the horse.
(2)
The veterinarian must provide a copy of that record to the horse’s custodian.
(d)Custodian to retain records.
The custodian must:
(1)
keep a copy of the record for at least 3 years; and
(2)
make it available for inspection by an animal enforcement officer, police officer, or humane officer during normal business hours.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-913 (2026)
§ 10-913 General limitations on use.LinkCopy Citation
Whenever a horse is being used for any purpose on the streets of the City, the custodian of the horse:
(1)
must treat the horse in a humane manner, never beat or prod it in any way that will cause pain or injury to the horse, and never intentionally, knowingly, or obviously be cruel to the horse;
(2)
may not use, work, drive, ride, or require labor from the horse for more than 10 hours in any 24-hour period, without adequate rest periods during those 10 hours;
(3)
at reasonable intervals, must permit the horse to have food and drinking water from a clean container that is of sufficient size and in good condition;
(4)
during times of cold or inclement weather, must drape the body of the horse, from forelegs to hind legs, with a warm covering that is in good condition;
(5)
must attend the horse at all times, as follows:
(i)
if the horse is only being used for riding purposes, it must be securely tied to an immovable object or held, led, or mounted by an individual who is physically able to maintain full control of the horse; and
(ii)
if the horse is being used for any other driving purpose, it must be within 75 feet of its custodian and within the custodian’s sight;
(6)
may not overdrive or overload the horse, as evidenced by physical stress, strain, or exhaustion of the horse; and
(7)
must obey any order issued by the Commissioner that relates to the care and treatment of the horse.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-914 (2026)
§ 10-914 Limitations on driving – General.LinkCopy Citation
Whenever a horse is being used for driving purposes on the streets of the City, the custodian of the horse:
(1)
must assure that any wagon, cart, carriage, vehicle, or similar device being used is in
good condition, that its axles are well-greased, and that its operating mechanisms are in good working order;
(2)
during warm weather, must park the horse in the shade when practicable;
(3)
if the wagon, cart, carriage, vehicle, or similar device is equipped with brakes, must put the brakes into a locked position at all times when not moving; and
(4)
may not cause or permit the horse to gallop.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-915 (2026)
§ 10-915 Limitations on driving – Weather.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
No custodian of a horse may permit its use or work on the public streets whenever:
(1)
the real or effective temperature exceeds 92<sup>°</sup> F. or falls below 20<sup>°</sup> F., as announced by the local radio service;
(2)
an official “snow emergency” is in effect; or
(3)
because of adverse weather conditions, the Commissioner of Health or some other authorized official of the City issues a determination, by radio or other means, that it would be dangerous or unsuitable for a horse to be on the streets.
(b)Return to stable.
If a horse is already in use when a condition described in subsection (a) of this section begins, the custodian must immediately return the horse, by the most direct route, to the stable from which it was obtained.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-916 (2026)
§ 10-916 Equipment.LinkCopy Citation
The custodian of every horse:
(1)
must assure that the saddle, harness, shoes, bridle, and all other equipment required or in use:
(i)
are in good working order;
(ii)
fit properly; and
(iii)
will not cause physical pain or injury to the horse;
(2)
may not use curb bits, twisted wire, twisted wire snaffles, spurs, bucking straps, flank straps, or similar devices; and
(3)
must inspect the horse and all its equipment and other attachments:
(i)
whenever it departs from the stable;
(ii)
whenever it returns to the stable; and
(iii)
if not being used, at least once daily.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-917 (2026)
§ 10-917 Quarters.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Proper quarters required.
(1)
Every custodian must ensure that every horse is quartered in a lighted, clean, dry, and properly ventilated stable or barn and that all other requirements of this section are met.
(2)
if the quarters for the horse meet the definition of “horse riding and rental stables” in State Agriculture Article, Title 2, Subtitle 7, the custodian and owner must also comply with the applicable requirements of that law.
(b)Stalls.
Every horse’s stall must be:
(1)
large enough to permit the horse to turn around easily;
(2)
cleaned daily; and
(3)
supplied with adequate bedding of straw, shavings, or other suitable hygienic material, which must be changed as often as necessary to maintain a clean and dry condition.
(c)Blankets.
Blankets must be available and used as necessary during cold winter periods.
(d)Identification.
For emergency purposes, the exterior of the stable or barn entrance must conspicuously display, in at least 2-inch lettering, the custodian’s full name, business address, and business and home telephone numbers.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-918 (2026)
§ 10-918 Sick or injured horses.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Treatment required; unnecessary moving prohibited.
If a horse is sick, diseased, lame, injured, or in pain:
(1)
the custodian of the horse must take action to obtain immediate veterinary treatment, care, and attention; and
(2)
the horse may not be moved or driven, except:
(i)
to obtain required veterinary treatment, care, and attention; or
(ii)
to obtain immediate humane keeping or pasture.
(b)Use during recovery period.
During the recovery or convalescent period, the horse may not be used or worked unless the custodian has a signed, dated certificate from the treating veterinarian stating that the horse’s condition will not be impaired or aggravated by the activity.
(c)Disposal.
A sick, diseased, lame, or injured horse may not be disposed of except in a humane manner.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-919 to 10-920 (2026)
§§ 10-919 to 10-920LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Part IV – Miscellaneous Requirements
Balt., Md., Code § 10-921 (2026)
§ 10-921 Identification cards.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Possession on streets required.
Whenever any horse is on a street, the custodian must have available, for immediate inspection by the Commissioner or by an animal enforcement officer, police officer, or humane officer, the horse identification card required by this section.
(b)Form and contents.
The horse identification card must:
(1)
be on the form that the Commissioner provides;
(2)
be signed and dated by a veterinarian within the preceding 12 months;
(3)
describe the horse, including its sex, age, height, color, markings, and other identifying information;
(4)
describe the stamina and physical condition of the horse;
(5)
describe any conditions that might restrict or affect the use, movement, or driving of the horse; and
(6)
contain the name, address, and telephone number of:
(i)
the stable where the horse is quartered; and
(ii)
the owner of the horse.
(c)Owner to provide card to custodian.
Whenever the owner of a horse rents or otherwise places it in the care or custody of any person, the owner must provide that person with the horse identification card required by this section.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-922 (2026)
§ 10-922 Driving under the influence.LinkCopy Citation
No one may ride, lead, control, drive, work, exhibit, handle, care for, maintain, or supervise any horse while:
(1)
intoxicated;
(2)
under the influence of any intoxicating beverage or substance; or
(3)
under the influence of any drugs.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-923 (2026)
§ 10-923 Registry of rentals.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Scope.
This section does not apply to the transportation of people in a carriage or sleigh that is driven by a licensed driver.
(b)Registry required; contents.
The operator of any stable that rents horses must maintain a written registry that contains:
(1)
the full name and address of every person who rents a horse;
(2)
the identity of the horse; and
(3)
the exact period during which the horse was rented.
(c)Maintenance and inspection.
The registry record must be:
(1)
kept for at least 3 years after the renting; and
(2)
available for inspection by the Commissioner or by an animal enforcement officer, a police officer, or a humane officer during normal business hours.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573
Balt., Md., Code § 10-924 (2026)
§ 10-924 Display of vehicle license.LinkCopy Citation
The owner or operator of any horsedrawn vehicle must assure that the City license issued for the vehicle is kept clean, securely fastened, and prominently displayed on the vehicle.
History: Ord. 99-548
History: Ord. 11-573