Hollins Market residents spent Saturday helping to clean out the stalls of a local arabber stable from which horses and other animals were seized by Baltimore Animal Control earlier in the week.
"The majority of the community thinks they're a fantastic thing, and we don't want to see this tradition leave," said Joshua Smith, a member of the Hollins Market neighborhood association. "Fresh produce delivered around the neighborhood with horses, that's awesome. Can the health department just work with us instead of working against us?"
The arabbers' horse-drawn produce carts have clashed with Baltimore officials before over conditions. Health officials and the state's attorney's office are investigating the matter.
Smith said about 15 people came to clear out cobwebs and do other cleanup at the stable at South Carlton Street between Pratt and Lombard streets, one of three remaining in the city. Animal Control and health officials seized 14 horses from the stables on Tuesday after finding what they described as poor living conditions and excessive cobwebs. The animals were taken to Days End Horse Farm in Woodbine.
Josh Harris, another member of the Hollins Market neighborhood association, said the arabbers are part of what drew him to the area, that they help keep local kids out of trouble and that the community wanted to show their support. More events to support the arabbers are planned, he said, including a candlelight vigil on Monday, and he hopes the city will relent.
"There aren't a lot of places where you can see a guy on a horse in the middle of the city," Harris said.