ARABBING: More Than a Way of Life, continued...


media and all those reality TV shows. Arabbing teaches so much more about responsibility and compassion. A more positive way of life.” Educating youth is now a primary focus of


Johns, who is hoping to turn the Bruce Street Stable into an education center. “I’ve seen where Arabbing has gotten a lot of people off the street,” she said. “It teaches kids there is another way of life outside of a phone and computer.” Johns feels learning about horses and their care


is a “big deal” to many of Baltimore City’s urban youth. “I want to create a voucher system to re- ward positive behaviors that will lead to success- ful lives. If we can get to them before the streets do, they have a shot,” she said, adding, “It’s something really needed by the community.” Chase agrees saying, “now more than ever we need to turn the whole country around. Its time for us to make that change.”


Preserving a Culture Te Arabber Preservation Society (APS) was


founded in March of 1994, initially to help the Retreat Street Stable comply with changing city building codes. Te non-profit organization is


dedicated to the support and preservation of all of Baltimore’s Arabbers with their mission state- ment reading, “We recognize Arabbing as an African-American folk tradition; an economi- cally viable system and a method of apprentice- ship completely unique to Baltimore.” Over the next few years, APS created vari-


ous programs to highlight the positives of the Arabbing culture including a farrier appren- ticeship program beginning in 1995 with a vet- erinary program being initiated the following year. APS purchased the historic carriage house on Lemmon Street in 1996 to create the Arab- ber Museum and in 1998, published a study entitled “Arabbing in the 21st Century.” APS continues to represent the Arabbers in


relation to various city regulations, which over the years have often sought to remove Arab- bing from Baltimore. “Baltimore City has had its ups and downs in terms of support,” Cohen stated. “To me, Arabbing is like this beautiful little wild plant that you want to see flourish. It’s an endangered lifestyle.” “Te rules by the City are really restrictive,” Johns said, adding, “we can’t go out after dark,


which in the winter really impacts us because that’s when our customers are coming home from work.” All in all, Johns understands why such rules are put in place and said, “we go out when we can.” In 2010, APS successfully lobbied to have


the Arabber Community of Baltimore added to Preservation Maryland’s Endangered Mary- land program. Preservation Maryland is the State’s oldest and largest preservation orga- nization dedicated to advocacy, outreach and education, and funding of Maryland’s historical landmarks and cultural activities. “Te Arabbers are a unique part of Mary-


land’s equine culture that ranks right up there with the Assateague Ponies and our other time-honored horse traditions,” Peddicord said. “Te Arabbers, like the Chesapeake watermen, are one of those cultural icons that make Mary- land ‘Maryland’.” “I can’t really describe the feeling of Arab-


bing,” Johns concluded. “It’s like you are doing something great. You’re part of the community. One with the horse and one with the people. A part of the people. Tat’s why we do it.”


Baltimore’s Arabbing youth riding in the 2019 Mayor’s Parade where their entry finished second overall.


Manure Removal & Roll-Off Services


Selling Hay & Straw Round & Square Bales


MHIB Executive Director Ross Peddicord, Baltimore City Animal Control Officer Sharon Miller, documentary film maker Holden War- ren, Carlton Street Stable owner Levar Mullen and MD Stable Inspec- tor Ellen James at the Carlton Street Stables


Potomac Valley Dressage Association Promoting eduction in the art & sport of dressage since 1964


Time to Renew Membership for 2021! Renew your membership now and be ready for 2021.You


can renew online at www.pvda.org or through a paper renewal. Forms available online under About > Join PVDA.


Your PVDA membership include a GMO membership to USDF and satisfies the GMO requirement for BLMs.


We’re planning some great virtual learning opportunities, stay tuned for all of the details.


Offering 10, 15 & 30 Yard Cans For Service Call


Cory • 301-300-8335 or Bruce • 301-370-7111 18 | JANUARY 2021 | THE EQUIERY A MARYLAND HORSE COUNCIL PUBLICATION


Jr/YR, Adult, Senior, and Family memberships available!


Find a chapter near you! View our full calendar online. See what PVDA can offer you at www.pvda.org


800-244-9580 | www.equiery.com


Arabber Preservation Society photo


0320


1020


Anne Litz


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52