((PKG))  HORSE CAMP   
((Banner:  Horses for the City))  
((Reporter:  Marsha James)) 
((Camera:  Philip Alexiou))  
((Editors:  Philip Alexiou, Marsha James))   
((Map:  Baltimore, Maryland))    
((Main characters:  1 male;  1 female))    
((Sub characters:  2 male;  2 male))    
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch)) 
When I was early childhood, my mother would take me to my uncles who 
were sharecroppers.  They had mules and we rode the mules and that was 
it.  And then when we moved to Baltimore, I got involved with Nixon’s Farm, 
where we did a summer program and I got involved with the horses.  
And that was in the early 60s and so I've been just at it ever since.   
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch)) 
I had a favorite.  It died and it was the genesis of this whole program.  The 
program is City Ranch and our mission is to make horseback riding 
accessible and affordable to the inner city, the Baltimore community that 
may not have the opportunity to do it.  
((NATS:  Ahesahmahk Dahn and a Volunteer: 
Well here, get, you know what the password, the code is, right?)) 
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
I’ve been here since February, so not too long, but I couldn't imagine my 
life without horses.  So, I'm very thankful to find this place.  
((Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
I love it.  I wouldn't come here if I didn't.  
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch)) 
The one thing that I focus on is taking the horses to where the children are,  
((Courtesy/Photos:  City Ranch, YouTube)) 
because if they don't have financial resources, getting out here, whether it's 
on a bus or an Uber or whatever the current method of transportation is, is 
difficult.  So, we want to take the horses into their community.  
((NATS)) 
((Danielle, Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
I really like being here at the farm.  This is one of the most accepted like 
places that I feel…..Oh, I’m sorry Bear…..just because I've never really had 
a barn buddy until came here and I've been riding for 10 years.  Everyone 
here is so nice and welcoming and I feel like a part of the family even 
though I've only been here for a few months.  And this little dude is 
Lucky.  Mr. Dahn was explaining how he was born here and he came as 
a surprise so they named him Lucky Surprise.  And then this is Bear.  I 
think he is one of our oldest horses owned by the Ranch.  I know you see 
my food.  
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
So, just letting it all hang out. 
So, what got me involved since 2009 was, I was fresh out of high 
school.  I've always loved and worked with horses.  And when I went to 
Artscape in the summer of 2009, I was totally encapsulated and Mr. Dahn 
was able to give me that outlet.  And I've been able to work with so many 
students, so many children, so many adults and really, just share my 
passion with other people.  
((NATS/MUSIC)) 
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
Bear likes to have a very confident rider.  Another reason why I put you on 
because you seem like you had a lot of confidence.  Let him know what you 
want him to do.  Talking to him is very, very important.  Remember, leg 
yield.  I want to see you be able to get him over those rails.  There you 
go.  Get him to pick those feet up all the way through.  Excellent, excellent, 
excellent.  Stop your horse.  
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch)) 
Erin is a very knowledgeable person. 
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
Keep the pressure.  Keep the pressure.  
((Ahesahmahk Dahn)) 
She has taken on a lot of responsibility here.  She knows the program 
probably best than anybody else because she's been here so long.  And 
now she's doing the instructing, working with the youth.  
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
Roll him up and turn him in, turn him in, turn him in.  Excellent.  Pull him 
out.   
((NATS)) 
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch)) 
A situation in life happened in our family that made me look at what I was 
doing and how I could be a part of the solution, what's going on in 
Baltimore as opposed to part of the problem.  And there were no horse 
programs.  And I said, “Well, you know, I ain’t the smartest guy in the 
world but I know there's no competition.”  So, it was an easy one to get in 
and grow the business.  And that's what has happened.  No other 
programs in Baltimore do this.  Right, Benji?  Where are you going?  
((Erin Wheeler, Volunteer, City Ranch)) 
Let's get them all the way up top.  Take that bit out and we can give them 
some apples.  
((Ahesahmahk Dahn, Owner, City Ranch)) 
Okay.  Creating an institution that outlasts me when I'm gone.  There is still 
a City Ranch, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the same name, but there's 
still an equine program dedicated and focused toward the community of 
Baltimore City.  
((NATS/MUSIC))