Don´t fence me in / Concrete Cowboys Fletcher Street

/// Publications in Partnership with VERSE, Bombay Flying Club, CNA (Centre National de l´Audiovisuel) and The Atlantic. ///
“Horses change lives. They give out young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope.” ― Toni Robinson
Especially in a neighbourhood like North Philadelphia where the pull of the streets is so strong horses have become a blessing. Here a minority of African American low income people created a safe harbor thought keeping horses in the high-crime neighbourhood of North Philadelphia.
Philadelphia´s Urban Riding culture and it goes back to a long tradition. During the turn of the century the automobilizing replaced the horse-drawn carriages in major cities and finally supplanted the horse cart by the 1920´s. The people who worked with the horses tended to be African Americans and a lot of these people had a love for their horses so they kept their animals even though they could not use them as working animals anymore.
In the 50´s, 60´s and 70´s Westerns dominated television in the United States and it was cool to be a cowboy what lead to the popularity of owning a horse.
The economics and development of Philadelphia made it possible for low income people to afford a horse. In the 70 ́s industries such as textile and brewery ́s left the inner-city borders to profit from a taxes release and left behind empty warehouses. These abandoned warehouses were perfect for keeping horses because most of them already had a stable area. Horse owners begun squatting these warehouses and stables and it has developed a community that has been passed on from generation to generation.
Times changed and so did the Urban Horsemen Community. What was once a traditional horse community mixed up with influences of modern times. But the horses still keep the Community together, give the people an outlet and an opportunity to anchor themselves.
Due to gentrification the Urban Horsemen Community now is a world in danger of disappearing.
My website:
www.annsophieli...

[@Ponakalaranjit456]

They're Awesome

[@roxannemcclain232]

That amazing thing for young people to explore

[@bigdaddy2640]

I’m here after the Netflix movie

[@kscamara123]

WOW!

[@roxannemcclain232]

Hey I know this is an old video but I can appreciate what y'all doing in the community and enjoyment of riding horses even though I am so afraid of horses but this is amazing

[@LiMaking]

My horse was my best friend growing up. Many of my best memories are with that horse. In a couple of years I hope I'll be able to own one again.

[@joanneanderson6535]

I hope this is very insightful to many. Life has gotten too too fast. Slow down and EnJOY the ride.

[@fatimagibson4798]

I grew up on fletcher street

[@MSTexperience]

Inspringing story, love it!

[@Noodlemonkey7]

I'm so happy to see this stable still running.

[@fatimagibson4798]

Waiting on this movie

[@dionhmedji4521]

Good job Cowboys

[@KatJ3st]

Some the looking horses - some talent in those urban cowboy

[@gunner8669]

Who’s here after watching concrete cowboys

[@KatJ3st]

Be nice to see some urban gardeners for all that urban manure in garbage bags! That suit is literally gold after a couple months cooking!!

[@alkeheykes9555]

Whats that song at 6:57?

[@pbtcameron]

I'm sorry but I can't imagine being held up in traffic because of a horse.