Horseback Riding at Natchez Trace Riding Stables

Last spring my "little brother" Spencer and I went horseback riding at Natchez Trace Riding Stables in Primm Springs, Tennessee. If you try to find Primm Springs on a map you probably won't find it. It really isn't a town. Farmland, cattle ranches, dairy farms, and lots of horses. Seems like every house or farm you drive by has at least a few horses. As you would imagine Natchez Trace Riding Stables has a bunch or horses.

We started on the parkway at the northern terminus and headed south. Of course, we had to stop at Birdsong Hollow to take in the Highway 96 Bridge. After mugging for a few photos we continued on towards Leiper's Fork. We exited the parkway at Leiper's Fork and went down Leiper's Creek Road towards the Bethel / Fly area for lunch at Nett's Country Store & Deli. This is an old-timey country store/gas station that now doubles as a diner serving lunch and dinner. Pretty good food in a laid back atmosphere.

After lunch we rode south on Leiper's Fork Road to Highway 7 and turned right going west. Just after going under the parkway we make a couple of turns and we were at the riding stables.

Neither Spencer or I had ever ridden a horse. I was a little apprehensive but on a previous trip down the Trace, Spencer said he would like to go horseback riding. So we did. Darren and Regina Haman are the owners/trail guides. There were seven of us for the afternoon ride. Most of the others were novices as well.

Darren and Regina showed us what to do. We didn't really need to do much because the horses are well trained, know where they are going and as Regina said "horses are very self-preserving animals - they don't want to do anything that would hurt themselves". After the two hour ride I was able, with some assistance, to get back on solid ground.

After we left we needed a cool drink so we stopped at Fly's General Store on Highway 7 just east of the parkway. I don't know how long the store has been around but I have a pretty good idea it looked about the same then as it does now. Great place to stop for a drink and a snack. About a mile from the Trace so it is a good water stop for cyclists.

Natchez Trace Riding Stables
www.natcheztracestables.com
931-682-3706