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The Equestrians of North Philly (19 photos)

For more than 100 years, the Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club has been countering crime with a love of horses. The non-profit, based in north Philadelphia, provides a safe environment for local teens to escape a community overcome by gang violence and unemployment. Photographer Ann Sophie Lindström spent several months documenting the organization to complete her interactive project, “Don’t Fence Me In.” At first, the horsemen were not impressed by Lindström, but when she started sharing prints with them, they warmed to European photographer. “The horses give them an opportunity to get away from everything that is going on in their lives,” she said. “Horses can heal troubled souls. That is something I experienced myself.”

The stallion Dusty rears up as Jamil Prattis, 25, leads him to the lot across from the Fletcher Street Stables on Saturday, October 19, 2013. Jamil started getting involved with horses when he was 12 years old after he saw a group cowboys riding through the streets of North Philadelphia. He followed them to the stable. (© Copyright Ann Sophie Lindström)
http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/02/fletcher-street-riding-club/515520/