Source: https://goetzinsurors.com/equine-activity-laws/eala-maine/
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 16:45:31+00:00

Document:
1. Boarding stable. “Boarding stable” means a place, building or tract of land in or on which privately owned equines are kept for their owners in return for a fee.
2. Commercial riding facility. “Commercial riding facility” means a place, building or tract of land in or on which equines are kept for the purpose of offering to the public recreational riding or instruction in riding or driving.
3. Engage in an equine activity. “Engage in an equine activity” means to ride, train, drive or be a passenger on an equine, whether mounted or unmounted. “Engage in an equine activity” does not mean to observe an equine activity or participate in an equine activity in a capacity other than riding, training, driving or riding as a passenger on an equine.
4. Equine. “Equine” means a horse, pony, mule, donkey or hinny. “Equine” does not mean a standardbred horse owned or kept for harness racing in accordance with Title 8, chapter 11.
“Equine activity” does not include harness racing.
6. Equine activity sponsor. “Equine activity sponsor” means an individual, group, club, partnership or corporation, whether operating for profit or nonprofit, that sponsors, organizes or provides the facilities for an equine activity, including, but not limited to: pony clubs; 4-H clubs; hunt clubs; riding clubs; classes or programs sponsored by a school or college; therapeutic riding programs; and operators, instructors and promoters of equine facilities at which equine activities are held, including, but not limited to, stables, clubhouses, ponyride strings, fairs and arenas.
8. Participant. “Participant” means a person, whether amateur or professional, who directly engages in an equine activity, whether or not a fee is paid to participate in the equine activity.
1991, c. 779, § 41 (NEW). 1991, c. 779, § 60 (AFF).
1. Certification. A person who boards more than 2 equines for payment or operates a commercial riding facility with more than 2 equines may apply for certification from the department and receive a certificate upon completion of the certification process. The certificate expires December 31st annually.
3. Certification; criteria. The department, in consultation with an advisory committee representing the equine industry, shall establish criteria for certification. The criteria must include promotion of the safety of a participant engaged in an equine activity. The department shall submit the criteria to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture matters at least 6 months before they become effective for review and comment. The criteria may not become effective before January 1, 1996.
4. Inspection. The commissioner, a state humane agent or a veterinarian employed by the State, at any reasonable time, may enter a boarding stable or commercial riding facility and make examination and conduct any recognized test for the existence of any contagious or infectious disease or condition. The department may inspect boarding stables or commercial riding facilities to determine compliance with the department’s sanitation, health and other rules.
A veterinarian employed by the State or any licensed veterinarian may quarantine a boarding stable or commercial riding facility in person or by registered mail and the quarantine is maintained as long as the department determines necessary. The decision and order for this quarantine is not considered licensing or an adjudicatory proceeding under the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.
5. Equine activity. The department shall assist the equine industry to develop a plan to organize and promote equine activity throughout the State.
1991, c. 779, § 41 (NEW). 1991, c. 779, § 60 (AFF). 1993, c. 650, § 1,2 (AMD).
1. Adherence to standards of care. Adherence by an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional with a valid certificate issued under section 4102 to the standards of care within the profession creates a rebuttable presumption that the conduct of the equine activity sponsor or equine professional was not negligent.
1991, c. 779, § 41 (NEW). 1991, c. 779, § 60 (AFF). 1993, c. 650, § 3 (AMD).
2. Effective date. This section takes effect January 1, 1996.
1993, c. 650, § 5 (NEW).

References: § 41
 § 60
 § 41
 § 60
 § 1
 § 41
 § 60
 § 3
 § 5