Required Care

Baltimore City Code div. Health Code, tit. 10, subtit. 9, pt. III

in effect

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-912 Examination by veterinarian.

§ 10-912. Examination by veterinarian. (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. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-913 General limitations on use.

§ 10-913. General limitations on use. 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. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-914 Limitations on driving – General.

§ 10-914. Limitations on driving – General. 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. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-915 Limitations on driving – Weather.

§ 10-915. Limitations on driving – Weather. (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° F. or falls below 20° 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. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-916 Equipment.

§ 10-916. Equipment. 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. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-917 Quarters.

§ 10-917. Quarters. (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. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, § 10-918 Sick or injured horses.

§ 10-918. Sick or injured horses. (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. (Ord. 11-573; Ord. 99-548.)

Baltimore City Code, Health Code, §§ 10-919 to 10-920 {Reserved}

Source: City of Baltimore Department of Legislative Reference, City of Baltimore Law Library (codes.baltimorecity.gov; Open Law Library bulk XML)URL: https://codes.baltimorecity.gov/us/md/cities/baltimore/code/health/10/9/IIIFetched: 10/25/2026