Study shows Prince George's has most horses in the state

Of the 81,000 equines in Maryland, 9,000 are in Prince George's County, according to the census, making up 11 percent of equine population statewide. In the last Maryland equine census, taken in 2002, Prince George's County had about 7,400 equines, making up about 8 percent of the statewide population, which was 87,100.

County officials have been paying closer attention to the equine industry's economic power since April, when the previous County Council revived the Prince George's Equine Industry Task Force. The group presented its recommendations to the council in the fall; the task force was reconvened in January to consider the feasibility of a Prince George's County Sports Commission and to come up with recommendations for handling unwanted horses....

"It's as if we're trying to keep it a secret," Troutman said. "All the positive things [in Prince George's County], I just don't think they're emphasized enough."