This American Life: Horses in North Philly

The opening segment of season 2's first episode.

[@liamannett7967]

please help support stuff like this

[@ridingspots]

@vexxtr0n I agree that the stables may seem "non-horsey" without grassy paddocks and board fences but the horses look like they're healthy and happy. The riders were better than the average gamers I see in my area! They're having a great time and the horses probably get exercised more than the average stall kept horse at a boarding stable :)

[@versatylepoetry]

I remember growin up being in North Philly and seein horses....Philly has a lot of random things goin on, neverba dull moment

[@labella9291]

versatylepoetry You got that right. I was waiting for the 47 bus at 4th and Allegheny and a guy stops at the light on a 4 wheeler. There was a TIGER CUB behind him chilling. When I called it in, they told me they had several reports of a tiger cub and they were actively looking for it. A few months later Cisco the tiger jumped out of a second story window and was found.

[@versatylepoetry]

La Bella haha @ Tiger Cub....City of Brotherly Love....gotta love it!

[@derrickjennings3460]

hats off to you young gents in North Philly. I do the same thing down here in Compton CA

[@candyazz28]

I loooove it and I always will. I remember this guy when I was a kid on 26th and Indiana had this horse I would pet and everything. It was in 1985.

[@datmeme8967]

Can't believe this was the quality of online video 13 years ago.

[@justinc4502]

This is one of the most beautiful pieces of the 21st Century. There is something to be said about mans relationship with beast... both parties are gaining so much from this bond... the loss of this relationship is why man has lost touch with his place in the world. 2:40 and on takes me off of this planet and back into human past...

[@vexxtr0n]

@sitycent And you're an ignoramus. I didn't say there was anything wrong with the barn- just that it's not the way I AM USED TO SEEING THINGS. The horses look happy and healthy. I have seen miserable horses with no turnout and no love at high level show barns, and I would RATHER see them loved and cared for in a barn that isn't fancy (e.g the one featured in the video). Learn how to read.

[@vexxtr0n]

These horses are fucking SAINTS. While I will say that I can't help but be mildly appalled by the condition of the stables (I am a snob, I admit it, I can't help it- working in A barns has conditioned me) I can say that the horses are fat, healthy looking and shiny.

[@laughupthemusic]

this is truly one of the most amazing things i have ever seen

[@highwoodmts]

Awesome - these are probably rescue horses, rescuing kids! Keep up the great work - As Winston Churchill said - There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.

[@xXeMokiDXxMCRXx]

No problems good luck! Once I get to the states I want to try and donate to them! :D

[@alexandergreenb]

This may be the first thing I've ever seen on the Internet that's actually made me happy.

[@GoddessLacus]

Inspirational.

[@lowrispooner]

just saw this, and thought what a fantastic idea ,

[@xXeMokiDXxMCRXx]

It's called Fletcher Street Riding Club and you can look it up on the internet :) x

[@doctorchill4718]

it's good to allow the inner city kids to see that there is more adventure to life than just guns, basketball, twerk videos and a occasional pair of Jordan's. This reminds me of childhood in grandpa's farm land in the islands.

[@MaiAriSquee]

When they were galloping together across the park that was SO COOL!!

[@907917]

Watch them in the Rudimental music video. Rudimental - "Feel The Love" ft. John Newman

[@keiththadon2394]

rudimental - feel the love

[@xXeMokiDXxMCRXx]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@hegoartist8986]

Did anyone see the mural on 30th & Susquehenna ? fall of 2014

[@ivke32]

I'm looking for one POV movie. I watched it about 6 years ago, so i don't remember much. I think it began like some family in the car going on a trip, and a boy was filming, when suddenly a bunch of black guys jumps out and starts to rob them. So they took the camera and continued recording. The camera has been passed from hand to hand, i think to show all bad things going around in the ghetto. And the movie itself was probably made for children mostly.

[@HaystackGirl37]

its really nice too see all kinds of people enjoying horses, which it could be more like that in england where it is still regarded as a snob's sport most the time. horses looked like they loved it but i couldn't help noticing that almost all of them looked a bit lame in front...

[@jacquim62002]

Atlanta Black Cowgirl who to rides the streets here, Philly Born... I am lovin all these videos when I come home in July I am going to try and find these homeboy and girl BLACK COWBOYS!

[@ghodalarkiAmeriki]

Those horses aren't enjoying any solace. They aren't fully sound and they are being ridden roughly, getting yanked around by their mouths.

[@tulatularosa]

this makes my heart sing - from a cowgirl in very rural New Mexico about 40 miles from anywhere. the love of the equine crosses language, lifestyle and nations, thanks so much for sharing this, longearlady

[@reclaimedandrested]

They talking bout the condition of the horses! Look at those raggedy communities! Call The authorities!

[@1suitcasesal]

I just love these programs. They are a little bit of sanity in an insane world. A horse can keep you grounded and make you a stable person. I horse can teach you about yourself. We need multiple programs like this in every city. If we had that we would have 50% less crime. Invest in these programs that teach people love and responsibility and that save lives and make people better people or spend money on prisons and l Iose and hurt people who could have joined society. Take your pick.

[@anthoneytolliver4442]

Seems like these kids are doing it more for attention than anything. Riding horses in the suburbs is fine but not in the middle of Philadelphia in the street. What about vehicles? Are they supposed to wait while you impede traffic?

[@poissonpoilu]

Wah, fantastic ! thank you very much I gonna look on internet and visit on site ! All the best

[@HaystackGirl37]

@sitycent i didn't mean limping i meant looking a bit lame, its different

[@Illumirage]

I thought it was always sunny in Philadelphia?

[@soulsnatcher6525]

? could you guys have set up a go fund me page for worthy causes like this?

[@jasonmiller8660]

Saw a lone coyote on Northeast Avenue in 2015

[@Blakelysworld358]

Love this guy!

[@ghodalarkiAmeriki]

The black horse is lame in front, gimping on both fronts in the opening minutes when the 4 are riding. There's a LOT more to properly caring for and riding a horse than feeding it enough and grooming it. The sorrel horse in the lead crossing the bridge is also not sound. I've taught riding, horsemanship, and black cowboy history to inner-city kids and adults, and when I went to a Bill Pickett rodeo several of the cowboys remembered from 15 years before and said Hi.

[@michaelmyers7255]

If the horse is not sound because of conformation, there is nothing you can do with a horse that is born with a long back and a steep slope of shoulder. Please don't pick and probe because you feel as though you know more and yes I don't agree with the horse's living conditions, but they are serving their purpose of being healers to inner city kids. These kids benefit from this. Nothing is ever perfect.

[@browsertab]

Hoods loot farm.

[@Illumirage]

I like it. Carry on :D

[@dogdaysindurham]

here from concrete cowboy

[@christianjohnson9861]

Towards the end of summer, I was at a block party in North Philly. Then all of a sudden, I saw some dude riding on a horse down the street that was perpendicular to ours. I was the only one to see them, everyone else had their backs turned! That shit baffled me for months now! Especially since neither the horse nor the dude riding it had on a uniform or anything else to suggest that they were apart of the police department; so basically all I saw was some random nigga riding on horseback in the hood lol. Thank you for uploading this! :D I didn't know this type of shit existed!

[@labella9291]

Christian Johnson I have a pic of some random dude trotting down Spruce by 55th St in west Philly, I'm driving towards University City and he's going the other way on a grey horse in the middle of the street. I was at a red light so I had time to pull out my phone and snap a pic, knowing no one would believe me. My kid saw a dude on a horse near 60th and Woodland Ave. I wonder if there is a stable in Cobbs Creek. Both of these things happened in the last year.

[@chrishygrant578]

La Bella you should send me that pic of you still have it of the kid on the grey horse on 55th street because I believe it may have belong to a therapeutic riding program for inner-city kids and adults

[@Not2Shaby]

I didn't know about this spot but I went to Northern Liberties around like 5 and Girad and I was at the bar and across the street was a carriage company. LOL seeing horses in the city (other that center city ofcrose) Is kinda cool.

[@candyazz28]

:-)

[@poissonpoilu]

this film is really good, and people too do you know where is that place in north Philli - the adress ? If someone has an idea, would be great to let me know , im really interested to visit this place, thanks !

[@lazyhorse73]

Great video. Awesome. Very nice horses and great riders. I hope more and more kids from the city get into this. Maybe there will be less violence on the streets. What a horse does for your heart mind and body is amazing. We learn how to be patient, and it builds strength. You are not thinking of just yourself. you have your partner to think about.

[@coo2kachoo]

That's the sh*t

[@ridingspots]

This is great! As a country girl, it's awesome for me to see big city people discovering the joy of horses! They're pretty darned good riders, too! It is a special feeling to ride horseback. It's "ghetto-fabulous!"

[@MrRemerick]

Real MEN ride a horse I command all 4 of you are showing other people what real men do if your not a part of the solution then your part of the problem good job and your family should be proud of ALL you dude. It called character more people need to be like you and don't let other tell you any difference if they do there lying and jealous of all 4 of you MEN cool.

[@9toStryfe]

i was just watching the rudimental video. n i thought i need to check dis out

[@sitycent]

@HaystackGirl37 You're imagining things. None of them are limping.

[@DevineJones]

I just saw one riding up my street...lol

[@kevinblaha6287]

NORTH PHILADELPHIA BORN AND RAISED ON THE PLAYGROUND WHERE I SPENT MOST OF MY DAYS I didn't watch the video but seriously nobody posted wtf are you guys doing with your lives.

[@beatstar2]

will grew up in west philadelphia ya goof

[@Turkish_Model_]

Does this mean i can take my elephant for a spin?

[@YoghurtMcGee]

@gigimeatball Am I Free by Wax Tailor

[@belambi]

BRILLIANT video.. many Thanks for sharing!

[@westphillybull6788]

I love horses

[@esifante7391]

I love this so!

[@mrmorganmusic]

I just moved away from Philly a couple weeks ago. Back to Chicago, a city I absolutely love. But this makes me pretty damn nostalgic for my temporary town.

[@phillyhippie]

I seen two kids riding bareback, one on a pony the other on a mini like wtf in huntingpark around there apparently they bought those ponies from someone thats crazy. This is cool and all but those stables look like shit shacks upgrade that for the horses stake

[@westphillybull6788]

there's a lot off horse perverted Owners n Philly