Horses in the Hood

(See also slideshow under images)

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – Two Chattanooga men are volunteering their time and effort to distract inner city children from the dangers of gangs and gun violence.

Almost everyday, Kenneth Jones and Michael Henderson can be seen ridding horses through the streets of East Chattanooga. But the two men don’t do it to show off, they do it to get children interested in horses.

They way they see it, if a child is distracted by horses and ponies, they are less likely to get into trouble on the street.

"We have a few kids who come by here everyday since summer started and they help out and ride a little bit to keep their mind off the street," Jones said.

The men turned an old warehouse off of Dodson Avenue into horse stables. On any given day, children get to ride the animals and learn about horseback riding.

But sadly, many inner city children from low income areas have never rode a horse let alone got close to one just to touch.

Jones and Henderson say they have encountered many children in the East Chattanooga area who know more about recent shootings and gang affiliations than they do about horses.

"It’s pitiful. I don’t fought the kids really. It’s so much negativity coming out of Tennessee and it’s time for something positive to come out," Henderson said.

So far, the idea of positive distraction is paying off.

"I like it when they buck and they run," said one small child.

"This is my first time seeing a horse and coming to the stables so it’s just nice to see how gentle they are and given a chance to ride it," said another child.

Jones and Henderson said they are also using the horses to show children there’s more to life than the criminal elements they see on the streets.

"If a kid growing up in an environment where there’s nothing but negativity, it will rub off. But if they got a chance to something positive and learn at the same time like discipline, responsibility, and the respect. And that’s the biggest thing we try to teach kids here is respect," Henderson said.

The two men say discipline, responsibility and respect could be the three key elements that keep at risk children out out trouble and on the path to a better life.

Jones and Henderson volunteer their time to teach children about horses so the service is free. Jones is starting a carriage company with the horses his horses and decided to do something extra for the neighborhood children.

The location of the horse stables is 3019 Dodson Avenue in Chattanooga.